ARA’s Mission & Foundation

The Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) is a global partnership that increases investment and capacity for action-oriented adaptation research in the Global South, at the scale and urgency required by the climate challenge.

Goals of the ARA

The mission of the ARA is set out in its Concept Note and Theory of Change:

to accelerate and scale investment in action-oriented adaptation research in the Global South.

It focuses on addressing priority knowledge gaps for the most vulnerable, strengthening capacity from research to action, improving the links between research and implementation, and enabling more effective learning across contexts.

To deliver this, the ARA works across three core functions:

advocacy, research planning and cooperation, and resource mobilisation and delivery.

Why was the ARA formed?

Action-oriented research is an iterative process of transdisciplinary and co-produced knowledge that is usable in practice, outcome-focused and demand-driven. It creates equitable partnerships between stakeholders and researchers, builds capacity, and enhances the resilience of those most vulnerable to current and future climate risks.

However, the current scope and scale of action-oriented research are insufficient to address the magnitude and urgency of actions needed across sectors. There is an inadequate, concerted effort to fund the research needed to build climate-resilient futures.

The ARA seeks to redress this situation, seizing the opportunity to strengthen coordination and scale up investments in action-oriented research to enable the achievement of our societal goals under a changing climate, with a particular focus on developing countries.

Related Resources

• ARA Gobeshona Declaration
• Adaptation Research for Impact Principles
• Adaptation Research Alliance: European Consultation Workshop