To what extent do climate sensitive and inclusive livelihoods interventions enhance social cohesion in areas of inter-community conflict?

Research Overview
Inclusive livelihoods refer to economic activities, opportunities, and support interventions that are available and accessible to everyone, including marginalized groups such as women, youth, persons with disabilities through different strategies including skills development, income-generating activities to mention few. These practices remove or reduce barriers to participation and promote social and economic empowerment and recovery
Social cohesion is related to the strength of relationships and the quality of solidarity among the members of community. It includes trust, mutual respect, and collaboration among individuals and different groups, and their willingness to live, work and thrive together despite differences, such as ethnicity, religion, or political views. In conflict-affected areas, social cohesion also involves the capacity of communities to prevent, handle, or recover from conflict, and to rebuild trust across groups.

Climate-sensitive interventions refer to solutions that take into account the real and growing impacts of climate change and environmental shifts. Its main objective is to guide and support people become less vulnerable, better equipped to adapt, and able to manage natural resources in a more sustainable way. When it comes to people’s livelihoods, this might mean helping farmers use drought-tolerant crops, supporting more resilient farming and water management practices, or encouraging families to explore different sources of income so they’re not as exposed to climate-related risks.

Inclusive livelihoods practices reinforce the capacity of members including the most vulnerable through the creation of equitable economic opportunities which could enhance tust and improve the sense of belonging. This reinforced social cohesion promoting communities to work together, and support each other and manage tensions, and collectively respond to any challenge including climate challenges. climate sensitive livelihoods practices protect and adapt livelihoods in the face of environmental change to long-term resilience of vulnerable communities. When achieved, the thre concepts may generate a foundation peaceful, resilient, and inclusive communities.

The aim of this study is to examine how climate sensitive (drought-resistant crops, agroecology, , early warning systems etc) and inclusive livelihoods practices adopted in communities served by EAST Consortium partners in eastern DRC (Tanganyika, Grand North Kivu contribute to social cohesion or influence conflict-related dynamics.

Specifically, this study aims to assess/examine how climate-smart practices influence social cohesion and conflict dynamics in rural communities of Tanganyika and Grand North Kivu.

• Different subjectivities within the community (by age, gender, persons with disabilities, minority groups etc)

• Levels of participation in inclusive, climate sensitive livelihoods activities (in order to understand the extent and nature of any spill-over effects for community members who have not directly participated in the EAST programme).

• Support to inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in climate action policies and livelihoods for their families

To address the primary research question, several sub-questions will be analysed:

• How do different social groups (by gender, age and disability status) participate in climate sensitive livelihood activities, such as drought-resistant crops, agroecology, early warning systems.
• How do different social groups (by gender, age and disability status) experience the outcomes of climate sensitive livelihood activities, such as drought-resistant crops, agroecology, early warning systems.
• What is the spill-over effects both positive and negative of the adoption of inclusive, climate sensitive livelihoods on community members who have not directly participated in the EAST programme?
• To what extent do resilience-building measures (e.g., ecosystem restoration, early warning systems, climate information services) contribute to both climate adaptation and conflict mitigation within the intervention areas?
• Have inclusive, climate sensitive livelihood interventions led to conflict or tension within EAST supported communities?
• What is the interplay between adoption rates for climate sensitive livelihoods practices and social cohesion indices?
• What are the main constraints and opportunities related to sustainable and equitable access to land for rural communities?
• What is the level of secure access to agricultural land for rural communities?
• How can community data transform climate action and disaster risk reduction planning, including with disabled people’s organizations?
• What aspects need to be considered so that people with disabilities and the organizations that represent them can continue to mobilize sustainably and independently for climate action and disaster risk reduction in the medium and long term?
• How does social cohesion manifest in the specific areas, and in what ways do climate-sensitive livelihoods influence these dynamics—either strengthening or weakening them—within the community?

Proposed Timeframe:

July 2025: contractualization with the consultant
August: Inception workshop and literature review and secondary data analysis
Sept – November 2025 (field research)
Decembre 2025 (writing up)
Jan 2025 Submission (submission of final research paper and recommendations)
Funding/Budget: FCDO EAST Programme.

Problem Statement

Conflict and displacement in eastern DRC, which has been characterised as a ‘protracted crisis’, has disrupted agricultural systems (livelihood), prevented reliable access to education and training, and limited the sustainability and growth of livelihoods and markets. In the four provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika, approximately 5.5 million people experienced displacement in 2024, a significant proportion of whom had previously been reliant on farming as their primary source of income.[1] Conversely, the climate crisis has been linked to ‘increased competition over resources, livelihood loss, and volatility of local food prices and provision’.[2]

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as a critical strategy for addressing food insecurity, climate adaptation, and mitigation, however its adoption in DRC remains uneven (largely confined to more stable areas) and cyclical violence has been found to disrupt every component. CSA has also drawn criticism for neglecting structural inequalities and failing to integrate indigenous knowledge in the search for and application of scientific innovation.[3]

The importance of social cohesion and social capital for sustainable livelihoods development is widely acknowledged, yet the relationship between climate action and social cohesion has received limited attention in academic and humanitarian literature.[4] Likewise, there are few longitudinal studies tracking the adoption of climate smart livelihoods. Increasingly, however, ‘shared environmental challenges and resource-based disputes’ are being ‘translated into opportunities for cooperation, integration and peace by transforming natural resource management strategies.’[5]

A recent scoping report funded by FCDO into conflict dynamics and climate hazards in three provinces of eastern DRC found multiple links between conflict dynamics, the impacts of climate extremes, livelihood options, and ecosystem services, highlighting in particular the high levels of vulnerability of female-headed households.[6] The report recommended that humanitarian actors ensure that ‘regions with signs of chronic livelihood degradation…such as areas with destroyed infrastructure and resource extraction sites’ should be targeted with layered actions that pay attention to fluid conflict dynamics and real and perceived inequalities[7].

The EAST programme, which is funded by FCDO and covers nutrition, protection, and livelihoods activities, recognises the interaction between climate change, displacement and conflict and seeks where possible to address financial exclusion and underlying gender bias. Activities carried out under the livelihoods component include the adoption of climate smart agriculture techniques within its agricultural income generating activities (IGAs) and support to climate resilient communities’ initiatives ‘. Social cohesion is addressed through the provision of protection assistance, awareness raising for key stakeholders on protection principles, gender-based violence, and living with disability and the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups within targeting. The programme also includes cash for work activities, which ensure that a wider cross section of the community is engaged in EAST programming than would be reached through targeted interventions. The programme has budgeted for area-specific conflict analyses, which provide all partners with context specific recommendations for addressing and improving social cohesion.

The programme would, however, benefit from a wider appreciation of regional endeavours such as the 2022 East African Community’s Climate Smart Agriculture Framework and the Great Lakes Region Seed Platform, and national policies. This research will also explore whether current interventions help communities build lasting resilience to climate and conflict-related shocks, or if they mostly address short-term needs. The research will distil evidence of good practice from within the EAST programme, and across the DRC and Great Lakes Region, highlighting areas for urgent advocacy and offering practical recommendations for ways in which EAST partners might more successfully integrate social cohesion and climate smart practices across all its sectoral interventions.

Methodology

To be defined in discussion with researcher(s), but should at a minimum include:

• Comprehensive review of the treatment of social cohesion and climate smart livelihoods within the EAST programme.
• Desk Review of literature pertaining to social cohesion and climate smart livelihoods programming in DRC and the Great Lakes Region.
• Review based on the findings of the CVCA,
• Interviews with key stakeholders will explore the perceptions, experiences, and narratives of community members, leaders, and other key stakeholders regarding climate smart livelihoods and their impact on/relationship with social cohesion, conflict dynamics, their impact of climate change on the rights of persons with disabilities and resilience to environmental stressors.
• Structured and semi-structured interviews will be conducted with both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the EAST programme, to enable comparison and assess the programme’s broader community impact.
• To conduct a detailed analytical study, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, on the relationship between social cohesion, conflict dynamic, climate change and the full and effective enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities
• Focus Group Discussions
• The study should also highlight the behaviors, practices, and habits of communities in response to climate change, as well as the community-based mitigation strategies they have developed, which could be further improved through future FCDO-funded interventions

Expected outputs

• Research Report (maximum 40 pages) including the following annexes:

-Highlighted areas for advocacy at different levels

-Short of 2 or 3 page brief and slide deck summarising key findings and recommendations

• Knowledge Hub briefing paper
• Images/photos of participants in the focus group discussions and of certain sites degraded by climate change and/or as a result of human activity.

Proposed use of the research

• Programmatic adaptation
• Advocacy at international, national, provincial and local level

Requirements of the researcher/research team

Knowledge of experience with engaging with relevant academic and state actors in Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes Region
Proficiency in collecting geographic data using GPS for the geolocation of study areas and certain strategic sites of permanent exploitation by local communities.
Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following areas: climate change adaptation, social cohesion in fragile/conflict-affected contexts, or resilience programming.
Experience applying mixed-methods research in complex humanitarian or development settings, particularly in the areas of inclusive livelihoods or climate-smart agriculture.

Essential:

Availability to start as soon as possible
Relevant and Strong experience in international humanitarian work and/or research, evaluation, or consultancy
Technical skills appropriate to the scope of the consultancy
Have a clear understanding of the nature of the consultancy
Commitment to participatory approaches in evaluation, planning, inception, validation etc.
Understanding of key evaluation principles including economy, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, design and relevance
Strong analytical, facilitation (including active listening) and writing skills
Proven ability to report on quantitative, qualitative and change measurement methodologies
Willingness to participate in vetting process which may include a self-declaration of criminal
record, relevant police check and/or satisfactory references
Reasonable cost

Desirable:

Previous experience in similar consultancies
Ability to lead a team
Has a strong interpersonal and social skills
Has a basic knowledge of the country and provinces where the Consultancy will take place
Fluent in French and English. Please note that understanding and speaking Swahili is an asset for this consultancy.
Proven or good established reputation in research especially in livelihood and economic recovery, social cohesion and climate change in conflict affected settings

How to apply
To apply, please submit your technical and financial proposals to tess.recoque@concern.net by 20th August 2025.

Please note that we will only consider consultants that meet the requirements.

[1] IOM Internal Displacement Overview, DRC (2024).

[2] Renkamp, T., Sarzana, C., Ramos, C., Cisse, S.R. (2024). Exploring Peace and Conflict Dynamics in Climate Smart Villages: Assessing Co-Benefits and Risks of Climate Adaptation Practices in West Africa. CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security.

[3] Ibid. See also Verheyden, J. (2025) Adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture by Smallholder Farmers in the Great Lakes Region: A Systematic Review. Aries Consult.

[4] Tamasiga, P., Mogomotsi, P. K., Onyeaka, H., & Mogomotsi, G. E. J. (2024). Amplifying climate resilience: The impact of social protection, social cohesion, and social capital on public support for climate change action. Sustainable Environment, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2024.2361568

[5] Renkamp, Sarzzana, Ramos & Cisse, Exploring Peace and Conflict Dynamics in Climate Smart Villages, p.6 citing Rüttinger, L., Janßen, A., Knupp, C., and Griestop, L. (2014). From conflict to collaboration in natural resource management: A handbook and toolkit for practitioners working in aquatic resource systems. Manual. Collaborating for Resilience.; Dresse, A., Fischhendler, I., Nielsen, J. Ø., & Zikos, D. (2019). Environmental peacebuilding: Towards a theoretical framework. Cooperation and Conflict, 54(1), 99-119.; Johnson, M. F., Rodríguez, L. A., & Hoyos, M. Q. (2021). Intrastate environmental peacebuilding: A review of the literature. World Development, 137, 105150.

[6] Laville, C., Barsham, H., Khouzam, A., Opitz-Stapleton S. (2024). Conflict dynamics, environmental degradation and climate hazards in the eastern Democractic Republic of Congo: Livelihoods and people’s agency in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. Draft ODI Scoping Report.

[7] Ibid.