In order to test the applicability of CBA, a model project was planned and implemented in HCMC. The area chosen for the model project is located in District 4, Ward 8, Sub-Ward 2, an area that is frequently affected by flooding and thermal stress. The model project was planned and implemented in collaboration with the international NGO ENDA Vietnam, the local community and their local authority at ward level. The model project was initially envisaged for the period between February and December 2010; however, the workshops were continued up to May 2011 in order to ensure the continuation and sustainability of the model project.

The model project was set up in order to reduce the model community’s vulnerability to flooding and thermal stress and to create a show-case to promote the CBA as a feasible local level approach to respond to climate change. Moreover, new alliances between different stakeholder groups were established to initiate joint action and to take the approach beyond the project level.

The CBA model project followed the action planning approach and was therefore based on a set of consecutive workshops that one after another focused on participatory assessments of local climate change impacts, action planning activities that were followed by an implementation phase as well as on monitoring, evaluation and dissemination. The workshops were moderated and facilitated by ENDA Vietnam and the local ward authority; input sessions on climate change, adaptation and mitigation were integrated for awareness raising and in preparation for the action planning activities.

As a result of the model project, the community grew pot plants in private and public open spaces to reduce thermal stress, re-arranged interiors to allow for more natural ventilation inside buildings and started waste management activities to avoid the blocking of drainages and to reduce flooding levels during high tide and heavy rain events. Moreover, the community started to reduce unnecessary energy consumption as a mitigation measure. Until today, the community members implement those adaptation and mitigation measures; elderly community members have formed a committee that oversees the activities and engages in awareness raising among neighbours.