Client: HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation through European Union (EU)
Project working area: EVOLVE project was carried out in 14 unions of 2 Districts (Khulna and Bagerhat), Pankhali, Tildanga, Kamarkhola, Banishanta, Dakop, Bajua of Dakop Upazila under Khulna District, 4 unions under Mongla Upazila namely Sundarban, Chila, Chandpai and Mithakhali and 4 unions under Sarankhola Upazila namely Dhansagar, Khuntakata, Rayenda and Southkhali of Bagerhat District.
Total CSO: 14
Total CBO: 126
Description of Project:
The project target areas are the most vulnerable areas in terms of climate-related impacts in the form of sudden extreme events like cyclones, storms, tidal floods, and increasing salinity as a slow onset disaster. Consequence of extreme climate related shocks, these two districts fall under high poverty prone areas in Bangladesh. The overall goal of the project is to enhance the voice of disadvantaged groups to local decision-makers, influence policy practices and engage in policy dialogue for inclusion in governance and development. CSOs and their networks are capacitated to empower climate affected communities and disadvantaged groups – especially women to raise their voices and effectively participate in decision-making processes and hold government accountable, contributing to gender responsive and climate smart policies, financing, and their implementation.
To achieve the goal, the project identified 4 expected outputs:
Output 1: Women from disadvantaged communities affected by Climate Change have enhanced capacities, confidence, and leadership skills to effectively participate in local governance processes and to critically engage with elected government representatives and relevant line departments.
Output 2: Civic space is expanded through 252 CBOs for citizens’ active engagement to hold local government accountable, to ensure transparent, gender responsive and climate smart budgeting.
Output 3: Capacity of 28 CSOs is strengthened to analyse community demands and influence local authorities in local budgeting, planning and service provision, in particular for local climate change adaptation.
Output 4: Six CSO networks are empowered to expand their outreach and speak on behalf of disadvantaged and climate affected communities in multi-stakeholder platforms at Upazila, District and National levels to influence policies and practices on gender responsive local climate adaptation.