The role of meso-level organizations in climate adaptation for small-scale producers in Sub-Saharan Africa—insights from four African countries

Abstract Meso-level organizations (MLOs) are core climate change adaptation (CCA) actors responsible for interweaving micro-level rural community needs with macro-level policy and finance intentions. This study draws on qualitative data from four African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa to examine the role of MLOs in CCA targeting small-scale producers. The findings reveal a diverse and complex landscape of organizational actors operating across varied geographic and social contexts, with significant differences in capacities and functions. These variations are reflected in four key dimensions: stability, flexibility, specialization, and autonomy, which are critical for enabling locally led adaptation initiatives. While many MLOs demonstrate relative stability, they are often highly dependent on a limited number of funding sources, constraining their autonomy. The analysis deepens understanding of how adaptation systems are configured across these contexts and suggests that effective local adaptation governance does not require all organizations to perform strongly across every dimension. Instead, it highlights the importance of complementary organizational roles and provides valuable entry points for strengthening existing climate adaptation organizational ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa.