People and communities on the frontlines of climate change are often the first to experience its impacts and among the most innovative in developing solutions. Yet they frequently lack the resources, decision-making power and institutional support needed to implement their priorities. Locally Led Adaptation shifts greater agency and resources to local actors, enabling adaptation that is more effective, equitable, accountable and responsive to local realities.
The Locally Led Adaptation Masterclass is a structured learning experience designed to help participants translate the eight Principles for Locally Led Adaptation into practical tools and approaches. Developed by the Global Center on Adaptation in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development, it supports governments, development partners, finance providers, project teams, civil-society organizations and practitioners to move from endorsing the principles to applying them in real programmes and institutional contexts.
Through nine interactive modules, participants explore how to embed locally led approaches throughout the project cycle—from design and planning to implementation, monitoring and learning. Short videos, international case studies, reflection exercises and quizzes examine the opportunities and challenges involved in strengthening local decision-making, addressing structural inequalities, improving access to finance and building accountable and flexible adaptation systems.
The online course takes approximately four hours and is available in English and French. Participants who complete all nine modules receive a certificate of completion.

The Locally Led Adaptation Workshop Design and Facilitation Manual provides practical guidance for designing and delivering participatory workshops that help organizations integrate locally led adaptation into programmes, planning systems and institutional processes.
Designed as an in-person counterpart and follow-up to the online Masterclass, the manual supports facilitators, programme teams and institutions to move from understanding LLA principles in the abstract to examining what they mean in specific political, governance and operational contexts.
It includes guidance on:
– Understanding the institutional and programme context
– Preparing and co-designing an LLA workshop
– Facilitating a three-day learning journey
– Examining power, participation and decision-making
– Mapping entry points across the programme cycle
– Identifying realistic pathways for institutional change
– Managing group dynamics and sensitive discussions
– Developing workshop outputs and follow-up actions
– Using adaptable case studies, exercises and participant handouts