Climate Adaptation of High-Risk Coastal Communities through Empowerment (CARE)

1) People’s Organization Formation and Capacity Building: LEDARS will form Women’s Self-Help Groups (WSHGs), Climate Resilient Groups (CRGs), and Youth Climate Action Groups (YCAGs). Members will meet regularly to discuss their problems and find solutions. LEDARS will build the capacity of people’s organizations in organizational management, climate change, adaptation, mitigation, climate-smart technologies, WASH facility development and maintenance, disaster management, etc. LEDARS will also build the capacity of financial and Self-Help Groups management of WSHG leaders.

2) Community Risk Assessment and Locally Led Adaptation Planning: LEDARS will conduct participatory climate risk assessments with local communities to identify hazards, vulnerabilities, and available resources. Community members, women, youth, and Union Parishad representatives will discuss the findings and identify priority adaptation actions. These actions will guide the preparation of Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA). LEDARS will support Climate Action Forums in working with Union Parishads to include these priorities in annual development plans and budgets. Review meetings will help track progress and identify gaps in implementation.

3) Promotion of Climate-Resilient Agriculture for food security: LEDARS will provide training, awareness, and equipment support to the selected farmers for the adoption of climate-smart technologies to address climate shocks. Monthly Climate Field School sessions and mass awareness-raising will help the farmers learn about adaptive farming, soil management, water-efficient management, ecological intervention, food security, etc. LEDARS will establish bill boards, publish booklet on the topic mentioned above. LEDARS will supply stress-tolerant rice and vegetable seeds, organic fertilizer, provide support to mini pond and canal excavations to store rainwater, and establish Model Resilient Farms to demonstrate the technologies in their areas.

4) Climate Education and Knowledge Sharing: LEDARS will organize Climate Field Schools, Climate Innovation Fairs, and youth learning sessions. Farmers, students, researchers, and community members will share their knowledge and experiences. Practical demonstrations and learning materials will introduce suitable climate adaptation technologies. LEDARS ‘ Climate Adaptation and Knowledge Management Center (KMC) will also provide useful information and technical support. These activities will help communities make informed decisions and adopt better practices.

5) Sustainable Water Resource Management: LEDARS will support mini pond excavation to store rainwater for irrigation and homestead gardening. Farmers will learn how to conserve water and use it efficiently during the dry season. Community members will also help develop rules for fair water use and regular maintenance. This will improve access to irrigation water and support farming during periods of freshwater shortage.

6) Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods: LEDARS will support Women’s Self-Help Groups to improve women’s skills and income. Group members will save a small amount of money regularly to build their own funds. LEDARS will also provide financial support as seed funding to help women start small businesses and income-generating activities. Members will receive training on entrepreneurship, financial management, and business development. LEDARS will also help them connect with local markets and service providers.

7) Establishment of Community Food Banks: LEDARS will help Women’s Self-Help Groups establish and manage community food banks. Members will save small amounts of rice regularly and store them for difficult times. The stored rice will support vulnerable families during food shortages and after and during disasters. Group members will develop simple rules for collecting, storing, and distributing food. This initiative will strengthen food security and community cooperation.

8) Formation and Strengthening of Climate Action Forums: LEDARS will form and strengthen Climate Action Forums at union, upazila, district, and national levels. These forums will bring together community leaders, women, youth, and civil society representatives to raise their voices on climate issues. Each forum will have a committee to manage its activities and hold regular meetings. Members will discuss local problems, prepare action plans, and raise their demands with government authorities. LEDARS will provide training on leadership, group management, and advocacy. Union-level forums will work with Union Parishads to address local problems, while upazila, district, and national forums will raise wider concerns with policy actors.

9) Climate Justice and Policy Advocacy: LEDARS will support Climate Action Forums to lead advocacy activities for coastal communities. Forum members will identify local problems, discuss community needs, and prepare advocacy plans. They will organize innovative demonstrations, such as rallies, human chains, street campaigns, and press conferences, to raise their demands. These will focus on safe drinking water, stronger coastal embankments, climate-resilient housing, and increased climate financing. Policy dialogues at the upazila, district, and national levels will help community members share their concerns directly with policy actors. The forums will also submit their demands and follow up on government commitments. These efforts will help coastal people raise their voices and influence decisions that affect their lives.