Barguna:Plan International Bangladesh has partnered with Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh to launch the Building Climate Resilient, Environment Sustainable Coastal Communities (ResCoast) project. This initiative aims to enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods in the coastal region of Barguna.
According to United News of Bangladesh, an inception workshop was held in Barguna Sadar upazila, bringing together government officials, local representatives, development partners, and community stakeholders. The workshop focused on discussing the project's objectives and identifying areas for collaboration.
The ResCoast project, funded by Standard Chartered Bank's Agriculture Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, seeks to support 1,815 vulnerable households across six climate-resilient villages. The project places particular emphasis on young women and youths aged 18-24, aiming to foster green livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
Md Shah Aziz, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Barguna Sadar, attended the workshop as the chief guest, while Md Anamul Hoque, director of the Resource Development Foundation, chaired the event. The workshop included participation from union chairpersons, NGO representatives, journalists, and farmers' representatives.
During the event, Shah Aziz highlighted the importance of collaboration among government institutions, development partners, and local communities to build climate-resilient communities. He emphasized that the project offers a platform to work together to promote sustainable livelihoods and strengthen long-term resilience in Barguna.
A presentation at the workshop detailed the project's objectives, planned activities, and implementation approach. Key focus areas include climate-smart agriculture, sustainable fisheries, livestock management, community-based climate resilience, youth leadership, gender equality, and social inclusion.
The speakers also stressed the importance of inclusive participation and coordination among stakeholders. The workshop provided an opportunity to identify areas for institutional collaboration, discuss potential risks and mitigation measures, and review key implementation milestones.
Plan International Bangladesh will collaborate with relevant government departments and local stakeholders to coordinate activities, strengthen community ownership, and ensure the project's long-term sustainability. Through ResCoast, the organization aims to help climate-vulnerable coastal communities adopt sustainable livelihood practices and improve their capacity to adapt to climate change, while promoting the meaningful participation and leadership of women and youths.