Columbia-Chile Project Aims to Enhance Climate Resilience in Municipalities

Columbia Global has recently announced its selection of a project designed to empower Chilean municipalities with localized climate action plans. The initiative, titled Strengthening Capacities and Civic Participation for Climate-Resilient Communities in Chile, is a two-year collaboration in which Columbia experts from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) and the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP) will partner with local organizations, including the Santiago Global Center, Universidad de Chile’s Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2), and the Institute for Disaster Resilience (Itrend).

The project, which aligns with the Santiago Center’s mission to drive local and global impact on climate-related issues, was conceived in response to Chile’s 2022 Climate Change Framework Law, which outlines the country’s legislative path to meet its 2020 Nationally Determined Commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, while reducing vulnerability and increasing the country's resilience to the adverse effects of climate change.

Chilean alumna Antonia Samur (SIPA’18), NCDP senior staff associate leads the project, joined by NCDP Director Jeff Schlegelmilch and Hugo Sarmiento, Chilean Assistant Professor at GSAPP. The Santiago Center is represented by Programming Officer Chris Molinari and Development and Communications Officer Carla Magri. From Itrend the leads are Outreach Director Macarena Pérez; Analyst and Public Policy Expert Danilo Miranda and Communications Specialist Gemita Navarrete. Representing CR2 are Researcher Rodolfo Sapiains and Project Manager, Benjamín Carvajal.

Strengthening Capacities will facilitate participatory workshops and planning meetings, bringing together local government leaders, researchers, practitioners, and community representatives. These collaborative efforts aim to develop effective local plans and strategies that address the impact of climate change on community life. By incorporating diverse community voices, the project seeks to enhance communities’ ability to plan for and implement resilience measures. By supporting inclusive and participatory planning processes, the project aims to bridge knowledge gaps and empower local governments to take meaningful climate action.

The project’s kick-off session was held virtually in July, with all participating institutions outlining a work plan and timeline. The first stage began in early August with an in-person strategic planning session where Columbia representatives and local partners refined the project’s vision and guiding principles.

Building Resilience through Collaboration

Chile faces significant geological and climate risks, compounded by climate change. These risks threaten ecosystems, infrastructure, social and economic development, and public health. To address these challenges, Chilean communities must proactively plan, implement, and monitor risk prevention and climate adaptation strategies. This project will provide essential support to municipalities as they develop and implement Local Climate Action Plans.

This project is funded through the “2024 Columbia World Projects Impact Awards: Enabling Thriving Communities,” which supports Columbia faculty and researchers in addressing pressing societal challenges with innovative solutions that have the potential to scale and accelerate impact. By leveraging this funding, the project aims to foster resilient communities in Chile, setting a precedent for future climate initiatives.