A2D Project was established in May 2010 as a non-profit research group focused on finding alternatives to address poverty, exclusion, and inequality in the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. A2D Project consisted of academics, development practitioners, and a network of grassroots organizations with extensive experience in action research and development work. It aimed to become a leading think tank in the southern Philippines, dedicated to promoting equity, social inclusion, and democracy through civic initiatives. The original activities outlined were as follows: (1) action, evaluative and policy research; (2) design, implementation and monitoring of development intervention projects/ programs; and (3) networking and policy advocacy.

The initial projects undertaken by A2D centered primarily on research initiatives, led principally by Kaira Cañete and Aloy Cañete, who served as the organization's prime movers.

A2D collaborated with the municipality of San Francisco, Camotes and its then Vice-Mayor Alfredo Arquillano in documenting the community-based (purok system) disaster risk reduction program. This system won the 2011 UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction. 

Other research and documentation projects conducted included:

• Documenting the evidence and uptake of the Climate Smart Disaster Risk Management approach (UKAID)

• Research on promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights within disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines, specifically in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities in Mindanao after Tropical Storm Washi/Sendong (IASSCS-Ford Foundation)

• Study on how to enhance participatory local governance practices among selected EED partner-NGOs in the Visayas and Mindanao (Task Force – Participatory Local Governance)

After Typhoon Haiyan hit northern Cebu in November 2013, A2D joined in disaster response. A2D raised funds for San Francisco, Camotes and provided water filters to help typhoon-affected communities have greater access to potable water. It also launched its first Disaster Risk Reduction program funded by UNICEF, titled “Strengthening Capacities for Child-Centered Risk Reduction and Management in Bantayan and Daanbantayan Post-Haiyan.” Ms. Kaira Alburo-Cañete documented best practices and lessons learned from the program. A2D also performed the research and documentation components for consortium projects, namely:

• “Emergency Response for Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan: Addressing the Needs for Immediate Relief in Northern Cebu”

• "Danajon Communities Working for the Advancement of Disaster Resilience to Combat Human Trafficking"

From 2015-2017, A2D implemented the “Post-Haiyan Inclusive DRR Program in Tabogon, Cebu Province” funded by Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB). This mainstreamed disability inclusive DRR in Cebu Province. Collaborating with local persons with disabilities, LGUs, government agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions, the first provincial DIDRR network was established in 2016. The Cebu DIDRR Network now serves as a model for other provinces and is a partner implementor of A2D’s DIDRR programs.

From 2017 to 2019, A2D established a partnership with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for the project “Disaster Risk Reduction Training for NGCP Partner Communities”. The training included a three-day session for 300 barangays in provinces in the country where NGCP operates. 

In 2018, A2D’s prime movers, Executive Director Aloysius and primary researcher Kaira, migrated to Australia. Leodinito Cañete was appointed Executive Director. A year later, Katherine Velmonte, the Administrative Assistant, took over the office leadership position and Atty. Bruce N. Ragas joined A2D as the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Aloy remained as a member of the Board. Erlinda Parame, Project Development Specialist, managed program implementation.

Like the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic halted A2D's activities from 2020 to 2021, resulting in a suspension of new projects and funding during this period.

Beginning January 2022 until July 2024, A2D executed NGCP’s initiative on Localized Early Warning Systems across 12 provinces, conducting training sessions online. The online format presented difficulties, as participants had to familiarize themselves with computer applications and faced connectivity issues in certain areas.

Between March 2022 and April 2024, A2D implemented the project "Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Climate and Disaster Risk Governance" for 20 local government units in Cebu Province, supported by the United Nations Democracy Fund.

A2D also implemented two short-term projects, namely "Contour Farming and Vetiver Grass Growing: A Disaster Risk Mitigation Strategy for Families of Purok Pading, Somosa, Tabogon, Cebu" and "Shelter Assistance to 200 Families and Livelihood Assistance to 30 Sari-Sari Store Owners in Sibonga, Cebu Affected by Typhoon Odette”.

A2D established another project with ASB, focusing on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (DIDRR/CCA) at the community level. Titled "Strengthening Climate and Disaster Resilience in Coastal Areas in the Philippines Through Community-led Adaptation to Climate Change with the Involvement and Leadership of Women and Youth with Disabilities," this project was scheduled from December 2022 to November 2025.