The poorest communities in the world are the first to suffer the consequences of climatic change. In order to make sure that these people receive the aid they need to adapt, it is imperative that principles prioritizing their well-being are inserted into the legal documents guiding international climate change policy. Otherwise, NGOs like Practical Action and Care fear that national governments will divert those funds to other projects and recipients. Even if the funds do make it into the hands of the people who need it the most, projects introduced by outside organizations, however well-meant, will not be as effective as projects that come from the inside of the community. Therefore it is imperative that the communities play a major roll in planning and organizing mitigation and adaptation strategies.
To do this, NGOs working in Nepal , Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Ghana, among others, want to make sure that vulnerable 
people do not continue to be marginalized, but are empowered to step forward and effect change in their own communities that will affect the environment and their life. By emphasizing prioritization, participation, inclusiveness, and accountability, they hope to enable vulnerable communities to combine with the government and organizations to take practical, effective action. The collaboration of innovation with indigenous knowledge should help create projects that are specific to each local area and that build on existing resources and strengths.
