What is an inclusive Climate Field School and how are they helping communities adapt in Aceh, Indonesia?

Stories | Published: October 28, 2026

For generations, farming families in rural villages in Aceh Besar, located in the northernmost part of Sumatra Island, Indonesia have relied on deep local knowledge to guide their decisions. Reading the seasons, observing changing weather patterns and understanding the land have helped communities grow food and support their families for decades.

When the weather becomes harder to predict

In recent years, many farmers have faced a new challenge: the weather has become harder to predict.

Longer dry periods, heavier rainfall and changing seasonal patterns have made farming more difficult and increased uncertainty around harvests and household incomes.

For families already living in poverty, these disruptions can have serious consequences for food security and the means to earn an income. People with disabilities often face additional challenges, including barriers to participating in agricultural activities, accessing training opportunities and contributing to community decision-making.

Recognising these growing pressures, a CBM-supported project in Aceh has been working alongside people with disabilities, farmers and local communities to strengthen resilience and create more ways for people to learn and respond to a changing climate.

How the Climate Field School Supports Farmers

At the heart of this work are Climate Field Schools.

Climate Field Schools empower communities through hands-on learning and testing and shared knowledge. They bring farmers, both with and without disabilities, together in open-air classrooms to test, adapt and learn from climate-smart practices. Participants share experiences, learn from one another and explore practical ways to respond to changing environmental conditions.

Through training sessions, group discussions and hands-on learning at demonstration sites, farmers deepen their understanding of the relationship between climate, weather and agriculture while exploring practical techniques to protect their income as the weather changes.

Instead of guessing weather patterns, farmers are now actively interpreting weather forecasts and rainfall information to inform planting schedules, land preparation, fertiliser application and harvesting decisions. This has helped reduce some of the uncertainty and financial risks associated with increasingly unpredictable weather.

Climate Field School Creates Inclusive Learning Opportunities

Importantly, the approach has been designed to be inclusive.

People with disabilities participate alongside other community members, helping ensure that ways of responding to a changing climate reflect the needs and experiences of everyone in the community. The work has included disability and inclusion awareness sessions, accessibility improvements at demonstration sites, and tailored support so people with disabilities can take part and have a say.

Early signs of change

While the project is still in its early stages, the results are already encouraging. Farmers are gaining new knowledge and practical skills, and community members are increasingly embracing more inclusive approaches to learning and problem-solving. Just as importantly, people with disabilities are taking a more active role in discussions about farming, livelihoods and climate resilience.

Together, these early signs of progress show the potential for stronger communities that are better prepared to adapt to a changing climate.

CBM Australia with support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

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