Who gets to shape a country’s climate future?

From community-led planning in Chile to disaster-preparedness hubs in the Dominican Republic, Columbia World Projects is helping turn local ideas into national climate solutions.

Could the best climate solutions start in the neighborhoods most at risk?

In Chile, the government is no longer making climate decisions alone. With more than 4,000 miles of coastline and growing climate risks, the government has called on every municipality to create a Local Climate Action Plan by 2025. But designing those plans requires training, technical support, and public trust.

Columbia World Projects is helping build that foundation. Through the Strengthening Capacities and Civic Participation for Climate Resilient Communities project, CWP has convened government officials, researchers, and everyday citizens for working sessions across Chile. These gatherings aren't just about sharing strategies — they're about co-creating solutions that reflect the needs of real people living in high-risk areas.

Can you design a space that keeps people safe before, during, and after a disaster?

In the Dominican Republic, hurricanes are not a possibility, they’re a given. Along “hurricane alley,” entire communities face repeated devastation with little infrastructure to protect them. CWP’s Building Climate-Resilient Communities project responded by asking a simple question: What would it take for communities to be ready for the climate crisis?

The answer came in the form of a community-designed resilience center, a physical space that offers power, water, emergency coordination, and education before, during, and after disasters. The blueprint, developed with local scholars and residents, is now available for adaptation across the Caribbean.

Still curious?

See how these projects connect to our global work. Read the full story.