The Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project

Final Report

September 2006

The RVCC Project is managed by CARE Canada and implemented by CARE Bangladesh

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project, implemented by CARE Bangladesh and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), through the Canada Climate Change Development Fund (CCCDF), completed its first phase in March 2005, and was extended to March 2006. The RVCC approach to implementation was grounded in a participatory Vulnerability Assessment which was undertaken at the beginning of the project. This assessment identified priority areas of vulnerability and affected areas of well-being for our target groups. The project focused on those priority areas which were directly linked to climate change, including salinity, waterlogging, flood and drought, and attempted to reduce the impact of these disasters on household well-being. The fact that the project started with target groups’ current vulnerability areas, rather than focusing on studies or projections of climate impacts, makes this project innovative among climate change adaptation projects. The project took an integrated approach to vulnerability reduction, focusing on raising awareness of climate change and associated vulnerability areas, promoting concrete actions by households and communities to reduce their vulnerability, and advocating with government at multiple levels for appropriate action to reduce vulnerability to climate change. Implementation was undertaken through sixteen local partner organizations (PNGOs), representing local and national NGOs, a CBO, and two research organizations. To the extent possible, the project worked with its partners on the principle of equal partnership, and this has resulted in a strong sense of ownership of the project by its partner organizations. The capacity developed by partner organizations through the implementation of the project is seen as a major success. The partner organizations worked directly with the project target groups, with technical guidance and supervision provided by the project team. Efforts were made to coordinate and share information among the partners, notably through quarterly coordination meetings wherein partners presented results and lessons learned for the previous quarter. These meetings also provided an opportunity for issue-based discussions and feedback to the RVCC team on the project approach and implementation. Results Achieved The project achieved impressive results given its short time line and the fact that the project was piloting an approach to community-level adaptation to climate change. RVCC worked in partnership with 16 organizations, strengthening their capacity to address climate-related vulnerability, and increasing the sustainability of the activities. The project is unique in that it addressed people’s perceived vulnerabilities and priority indicators of well-being, which resulted in an approach that is relevant and practical to the most vulnerable. As a result, the project worked with local organizations and communities to identify and test practical, indigenous adaptation measures that work for people. RVCC recognized that grassroots actions are not enough, and worked with local, regional and national government to promote action to reduce climate-related vulnerability. The key results achieved by the project are presented below under the four program outcomes.

Expected Outcome Key Results Achieved Vulnerable households demonstrate improved capacity to innovate in their livelihood strategies, reducing vulnerability to climate change

- Over 5000 participant households and over 2500 other households have adopted adaptation measures promoted by the project

- 52% of target households have identified new income sources as a result of alternative livelihood activities

- Food security has increased in over 30% of project households as a result of agricultural measures implemented

- More than 4000 households have received support from government service providers for implementing adaptation activities

- Access to low-cost credit has increased for participants, facilitating coping during lean periods or times of crisis

- Five marketing groups with 59 project participants have increased access to market information, and are buying inputs and selling products collectively, thereby increasing their profits

Communities demonstrate increased capacity to develop and implement community-level adaptation strategies

- 14 Union Parishads (UPs) have developed plans to address climate-related vulnerability in their constituency

- UPs have begun taking concrete actions to reduce vulnerability, including construction of embankments, re-excavation of canals and ponds, and repair of pond-sand-filters for potable water

- UPs are increasingly aware of the environmental concerns of their constituency

Local partners demonstrate increased capacity to collect and disseminate information related to climate change, and to advocate with the government on climate change

- Over 1 million people reached with information on climate change through a variety of tools, including a school program, grassroots cultural activities, CBO outreach and a radio program

- Central Information Centre on Climate Change established at a local NGO in Khulna

- An advocacy campaign was undertaken and was successful in bringing the issue of salinity and potable water to national-level policy-makers

- Partners have undertaken local-level advocacy campaigns in support of their household-level activities

Project partners interact regularly with national-level climate change stakeholders on policy advocacy issues

- A review of 12 Government of Bangladesh policies for their relevance to adaptation to climate change was published and circulated to policy-makers

- A very successful National Roundtable Discussion was held in Dhaka, resulting in a commitment to action by several high-level stakeholders

Cross-Cutting Issue: Gender The RVCC Project designed activities to be consistent with gender equality principles, and also took action at the institutional level to incorporate gender issues into project operations. In the context of Bangladesh, achieving gender equality is hampered by cultural norms an practices. However, despite the challenges encountered, a number of concrete results have been reported by partners which demonstrate increasing gender equality: Confidence of women to speak in public has increased as a result of participation in

training and learning sessions. Women’s position in the family has been enhanced, and their participation in some

community organizations has increased. Several women are now selling products in the market on behalf of their marketing

groups. Women’s mobility has increased, and they are more able to participate in social events

such as fairs, cultural events, special day celebrations, religious functions, weddings, etc. Female participants have actively participated in rallies, memorandum submissions and

dialogues with government officials under the advocacy campaign. Women’s contribution to the family through the agriculture and livelihoods measures is

being recognized by their male family members. Women are able to make decisions about spending, and are choosing to buy clothing for

themselves and their children. Gender issues such as violence against women and dowry were included in UP’s three

year development plans. There is evidence of increased participation by female UP members. In the water management committees, approximately 40% of committee members are

female. Cross-Cutting Issue: Environment RVCC is at its core a project attempting to promote agricultural and livelihoods options that will be environmentally sustainable in the longer term context of climate change. However, beyond the expected results of the project a few other environment-related results have been achieved: One of the project’s target UPs has worked with its PNGO to promote hygiene and

sanitation in the community, and has achieved 100% sanitation. Several UPs have undertaken tree planting initiatives. Many households are using compost from floating gardens in their homestead gardens

as an environmentally-friendly (and cost-effective) alternative to chemical fertilizers. Homestead tree plantation has been undertaken by many project households. It was found that providing alternatives reduced environmentally unsustainable coping

mechanisms such as illegal tree felling, fishing in the jungle, catching shrimp larvae, etc. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been promoted, particularly for floating gardens,

and 59 households are practicing IPM on their floating beds. Five Community-based Rainwater Harvesters have been constructed and are providing

safe water to 30 households. UPs are increasingly sensitized to environmental vulnerability in their constituency, and

have developed capacity to address these issues. Target UPs are working with the Government of Bangladesh to achieve 100% sanitation

in their communities. The DPHE has committed to providing support in target communities for water and

sanitation activities, including latrine construction and arsenic testing for well water.

There is scope within the project to integrate more environmentally-friendly practices, including the use of local varieties of vegetables and rice, Integrated Pest Management, organic farming, and tree plantation. Major Lessons Learned The learning by doing approach adopted by the RVCC Project resulted in a large amount of lessons that can be applied in designing other climate change adaptation projects, and/or projects in relevant areas that would like to take risks of climate change into account. Major lessons learned through the implementation of the RVCC pilot and recommendations for future work in this area are outlined below: Capacity development is a long-term process, and the project timeline was not long

enough to institutionalize sustainable adaptation strategies. This could be overcome by allowing projects to incorporate a design phase, planning projects on a longer term horizon, and by taking a more systematic approach to initiating work with different target groups.

Although attempts were made to integrate activities, the design of the first phase and the subsequent compartmentalization of activities under the four program outcomes led to weak horizontal linkages between activities. As well, it has been learned that raising awareness and/or communication messages should not be an end in itself, but should be incorporated into all activities to lay a foundation for action. Future work should endeavour to integrate activities in order to take a holistic approach to vulnerability reduction.

RVCC was extremely ambitious in terms of its target numbers and expected results, and in the wide number and variety of activities being undertaken by its partner organizations. In the future work, the project activities should be more focused, and should target one or two key areas of vulnerability as identified by the target groups. Adopting an integrated approach to implementation will improve efficiency and increase impact of project activities.

In some cases, the groups selected for project interventions did not meet the project’s criteria of working with the poorest and most vulnerable people in its target communities. In order to facilitate a quick start to activities in the field, it was decided that partner organizations would work with already-existing groups, and some of the members of these groups were later found to be relatively wealthy by local standards, and therefore not as vulnerable as poorer members of the community. This could be addressed in future projects through a community identification process for group selection.

RVCC’s emphasis on climate-related issues sometimes limited its ability to address other key factors contributing to vulnerability. It has become clear through implementation of this project climate change is only one of many factors that challenge people’s ability to sustain their livelihoods. In future projects, flexibility should be built in to ensure that there is scope to address vulnerability in a holistic manner.

RVCC’s partner organizations had little expertise in areas beyond agriculture and income generation, and this limited results in other areas such as safe water and disaster risk reduction, which may have been more appropriate areas of focus to address climate-related vulnerability. RVCC’s partner organizations were selected before the Vulnerability Assessment was conducted, and were selected based on expertise in agriculture and/or income generating activities. During the Vulnerability Assessment, women’s groups prioritized water and health as their most important areas of well-being to be addressed. As the partners did not have expertise in these areas, they were not adequately addressed in the first phase of the project. This could be addressed by selecting partners with a wider range of expertise, including water, health, and gender,

and by evaluating the capacity and contribution made by current partners before deciding whether to continue the partnership into the second phase.

Risk assessment and mitigation were not effectively integrated in project activities. The southwest region is highly political and prone to natural disasters, including cyclones and flooding. The risk that these situations pose to project activities was not adequately analyzed during project planning, and therefore mitigation measures were not effectively implemented. Risk assessment and mitigation must be central to the design of any future projects, and should be incorporated into all project activities1.

In order to facilitate a reduction in vulnerability to climate risks, it is also necessary to address disaster risk reduction in a holistic manner. Future projects could consider improving linkages with disaster risk reduction initiatives (e.g. the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP)) to ensure that climate-driven risks are included in this framework. As well, working with communities and local government is essential to effectively reducing risk of disasters, and future projects should work closely with the UP-level standing committees for disaster reduction in order to facilitate risk reduction. This should also involve linkages with government service providers and higher levels of government in a multi-level initiative.

There are positive implications of project activities at the household level, however to sustain accrual of benefits from the activities promoted, there is a need for increasing institutional facilitation. It should be recognized that the national policy regime, despite having some inconsistencies, is generally conducive to providing benefits to the poorest of the poor. However, due to poor governance at the level of local service providers, these benefits often do not reach the poorest. Therefore, it is recommended that communities must be empowered in order to engage them in governance processes and facilitate them to make the best use of the policy environment. There is also a need for more dialogue between government agencies, including service providers, and vulnerable communities, to facilitate a collaborative approach to addressing vulnerability. There should be increased emphasis in these areas in the future projects of this type, in line with CARE Bangladesh’s focus on rights-based approaches to programming.

Conclusions The RVCC Project has successfully piloted an approach to reducing vulnerability to climate change. The project was innovative in its “vulnerability first” approach, making it different from the majority of climate change projects which tend to start with scientific studies or models. Despite the short timeline, the project has achieved some impressive results. However, more time is needed to evaluate the adaptation measures and extension methodology, institutionalize the approaches, and to ensure the sustainability of the activities. The positive impact of the project is evident in the capacity developed by the partner organizations, the enthusiasm of the UPs in tackling climate-related vulnerability in their constituencies, and the smiles on the faces of project participants.

1 The Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project: Reflecting on Lessons Learned, April 2005, summarized in RVCC Phase 2 Concept Paper.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Tables List of Acronyms Glossary 1 Introduction........................................................................................................ 1 2 RVCC Approach to Implementation................................................................. 1

2.1 Household-Level Activities ....................................................................................... 2 2.2 Community-Level Interventions ................................................................................ 3 2.3 Awareness Raising................................................................................................... 4 2.4 Advocacy Campaign................................................................................................. 4

3 Results................................................................................................................ 6 3.1 Household-Level Results.......................................................................................... 6

3.1.1 Results at the Output Level ............................................................................... 7 3.1.2 Results at the Outcome Level ........................................................................... 9 3.1.3 Vulnerability Reduction.................................................................................... 11 3.1.4 Pilot Marketing Initiative .................................................................................. 17 3.1.5 Research Results ............................................................................................ 19

3.2 Community-Level Results....................................................................................... 20 3.2.1 Results at the Output Level ............................................................................. 20 3.2.2 Results at the Outcome Level ......................................................................... 21

3.3 Local-Level Advocacy and Awareness Raising...................................................... 23 3.3.1 Progress at the Output Level........................................................................... 23 3.3.2 Progress at the Outcome Level ....................................................................... 27

3.4 National-Level Advocacy ........................................................................................ 28 3.4.1 Results at the Output Level ............................................................................. 28 3.4.2 Results at the Outcome Level ......................................................................... 29

3.5 Management Results.............................................................................................. 30 3.5.1 Results at the Output Level ............................................................................. 30 3.5.2 Results at the Outcome Level ......................................................................... 32

4 Cross-Cutting Issues: Gender and Environment......................................... 32 4.1 Gender.................................................................................................................... 32

4.1.1 Gender Context in Bangladesh ....................................................................... 32 4.1.2 Gender and Environmental Vulnerability ......................................................... 33 4.1.3 Integrating Gender into Project Activities ........................................................ 33 4.1.4 Organizational-Level Actions on Gender......................................................... 34 4.1.5 Gender-Related Results Achieved .................................................................. 35 4.1.6 Challenges and Lessons Related to Gender................................................... 35

4.2 Environment ........................................................................................................... 37 4.2.1 Environmental Context in Southwest Region of Bangladesh .......................... 37 4.2.2 Environmental Change and Livelihoods.......................................................... 38 4.2.3 Environment-Related Results Achieved.......................................................... 38 4.2.4 Challenges and Lessons Related to Environmental Sustainability.................. 39

5 Progress Towards Impacts and Sustainability ............................................. 40 6 Challenges and Risks...................................................................................... 41 7 Major Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Future Projects ......... 43 8 Conclusions ..................................................................................................... 44

List of Tables Table 1: Classroom Training Sessions Offered to Household-Level Group Leaders and Advanced Group Members over Life of Project Table 2: Learning Sessions Offered to Household-Level Group Members over Life of Project Table 3: Participation in Cross Visits by Household-Level Group Members over Life of Project Table 4: Demonstration Plots Established over Life of Project Table 5: Training Offered for UPs Over the Life of the Project Table 6: Number of Individuals Implementing Adaptation Measures over Life of Project Table 7: Water Systems Implemented over Life of Project Table 8: Implementation of Measures by Secondary Adopters Table 9: Number of Persons Exposed to Awareness Messages over Life of Project Table 10: RVCC Logical Framework Analysis Table 11: RVCC Management Structure

List of Acronyms AA Administrative Assistant ALO Alternative Livelihood Option BCAS Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies (a partner NGO of the RVCC

Project) BRRI Bangladesh Rice Research Institute CBHQ CARE Bangladesh Headquarters (based in Dhaka) CBO Community-Based Organization CCAC Climate Change Awareness Committee CDMP Comprehensive Disaster Management Program CDP Coastal Development Partnership (a partner NGO of the RVCC Project) CEA Chief Executing Agency CEAA Canadian Environmental Assessment Act CHC Canadian High Commission (in Dhaka) CIDA Canadian International Development Agency COP-9 9th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC DAE Department of Agricultural Extension DC Deputy Commissioner DDJ Dak Diye Jai (a partner NGO of the RVCC Project) DfID Department for International Development (British) DoF Department of Fisheries ED Executive Director EIA Environmental Impact Assessment FY Fiscal Year (CARE’s fiscal year is July-June) GUS Gana Unnayan Sangstha (a partner CBO of the RVCC Project) HH Household HYV High Yield Variety IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change KAB Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior survey LEB Locally Elected Body LFA Logical Framework Analysis M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MIS Management Information System MOU Memorandum of Understanding NAPA National Adaptation Program for Action NGO Non-Governmental Organization OCAT Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool PC Project Coordinator PDO Project Development Officer PETRRA Poverty Alleviation through Rice Research Assistance PIP Project Implementation Plan PNGO Partner Non-Governmental Organization RLP Rural Livelihood Program (a program of CARE Bangladesh) RVCC Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change Project SRDI Soil Research and Development Institute TC Technical Coordinator TNO Thana Nirbahi Officer (used interchangeably with UNO) UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNO Upazilla Nirbahi Officer (used interchangeably with TNO) UP Union Parishad VSO Voluntary Services Overseas (a British NGO) WRDS Wetland Resource Development Society (a partner NGO of the RVCC

Project)

Glossary Beel: A saucer-shaped depression that normally retains water all year round, an

open water body. Gher:

A pond that has been created by building embankments and flooding a rice paddy. Ghers are usually privately owned, and are often used for raising prawn, shrimp and/or fish.

Khas land: The lands that were previously owned by the Zamindars, char lands, non-cultivable lands in the Chittigong Hill Tracts areas and forest lands are known as khas land. Agricultural khas lands outside city areas are allocated among landless people as per government policy.

Measure: Approaches or ways to implement an adaptation strategy. A particular measure generally consists of a cluster of individual activities.

Mele A reed (Cyperus Tagetiformis) that is grown in saline or sweet water. The reeds are harvested, dried, split into 2 or 3 strips and woven into mats that are popular for sitting or sleeping on.

Pot song: A traditional folk song that used to be very common in the southwest region. A series of pictures based on a theme are painted onto a long strip of canvas and rolled around two spindles. The pictures are scrolled while a song is sung that explains the pictures, together with dancing and instrument playing.

Strategy: Combination of measures that is considered a “package” to reach a certain goal

Vulnerability: Sensitivity to certain events and/or lack of capital assets or lack of access to resources in order to cope with events. In this report, vulnerability is used in relation to specific indicators of well-being that represent the basic requirements at a household level to ensure quality of life.

Vulnerability context:

External conditions of change that impact the dynamics of the household environment. These conditions may consist of: shocks (e.g., cyclones); seasonal variations (e.g., seasonal labour); or trends (e.g., environmental degradation). These changes are typically beyond the control of households. The vulnerability contexts being addressed in this project are: salinity (including tidal flood), flood, storm, waterlogging (including siltation and heavy rainfall), drought, cyclone, and loss of biodiversity.

Well-being indicator:

A measure of household well-being. The well-being indicators being addressed in this project are: income, food, potable water, health and personal safety, and housing and safety of property.

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1 Introduction The Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project was implemented by CARE Canada/CARE Bangladesh with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the Canada Climate Change Development Fund (CCCDF). The project was launched in January 2001, and activities ended in February 20062. The RVCC Project worked in partnership with NGOs and communities in six districts3 in the Southwest region of Bangladesh, with a goal to increase capacity of communities to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. The expected impacts of the project were: Vulnerable Bangladeshi communities understand and are better able to respond to

adverse climate change effects. Local organizations (NGOs and CBOs) are better able to understand and explain climate

change and have the skills and knowledge to advocate on climate change. Agencies of local and national government are sensitized to the need for strategic

interventions to enhance adaptation to climate change for vulnerable communities. The purpose of the project was: communities and institutions in the southwest region demonstrate capacity to: raise awareness on climate change; reduce climate change-induced vulnerabilities; and influence relevant policy. The project had five expected outcomes:

1. Vulnerable households demonstrate improved capacity to innovate in their livelihood strategies, reducing vulnerability to climate change.

2. Communities demonstrate increased capacity to develop and implement community-

level adaptation strategies.

3. Local partners demonstrate increased capacity to collect and disseminate information related to climate change, and to advocate with the government on climate change.

4. Project partners interact regularly with national level climate change stakeholders on

policy advocacy issues.

5. An efficiently and effectively managed project. To achieve the program-related outcomes, activities were undertaken under four major program areas: household-level, community-level, awareness and advocacy. The complete Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) for the project is included in Annex A4. 2 RVCC Approach to Implementation The RVCC Project has received international attention for its innovative approach to addressing vulnerability to climate change5. The approach to implementation was founded

2 Note that project activities were completed at the end of February 2006, while the Contribution Agreement is in effect until March 31, 2006. 3 Bagerhat, Gopalganj, Jessore, Khulna, Narail and Satkhira 4 The LFA as presented in the original project proposal was revised in June 2003 based on further understanding of the context and scope of project activities.

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in a participatory Vulnerability Assessment which was undertaken at the beginning of the project. This assessment identified priority areas of vulnerability and affected areas of well-being for our target groups. The project focused on those priority areas which were directly linked to climate change, including salinity, waterlogging, flood and drought, and attempted to reduce the impact of these disasters on household well-being. The fact that the project started with target groups’ current vulnerability areas, rather than focusing on studies or projections of climate impacts, makes this project one of the few climate change adaptation projects that are truly community-based. The project took an integrated approach to vulnerability reduction, focusing on raising awareness of climate change and associated vulnerability areas, promoting concrete actions by households and communities to reduce their vulnerability, and advocating with government at multiple levels for appropriate action to reduce vulnerability to climate change. Implementation was undertaken through sixteen local partner organizations (PNGOs), representing local and national NGOs, a CBO, and two research organizations. To the extent possible, the project worked with its partners on the principle of equal partnership, and this has resulted in a strong sense of ownership of the project by its partner organizations. The capacity developed by partner organizations through the implementation of the project is seen as a major success. The partner organizations worked directly with the project target groups, with technical guidance and supervision provided by the project team. Efforts were made to coordinate and share information among the partners, notably through quarterly coordination meetings wherein partners presented results and lessons learned for the previous quarter. These meetings also provided an opportunity for issue-based discussions and feedback to the RVCC team on the project approach and implementation. 2.1 Household-Level Activities The RVCC approach at the household level consisted of building the capacity of participants to cope with a particular vulnerability context as it impacts on a specific indicator of household well-being. The well-being indicators and vulnerability contexts were chosen on the basis of the vulnerability assessment that was conducted early in the project, and were refined as field realities emerged. Eight partner organizations worked at the household level: BCAS- Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, GMK- Gono Milon Kendra, IDEAL-Institute of Development Education for Advancement of Landless, Nabolok, Prodipan, Samadhan, Sushilan and SUS-Satkhira Unnayan Sangstha. As well, partnerships were formed with two other organizations, BRRI –Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and WRDS-Wetland Resource Development Society, for research and technical support relating to household-level activities. During the vulnerability assessment, the well-being indicators that were identified by the participants as being most important to them were: income, food, potable water, health and personal safety, and safety of housing and property. The vulnerability contexts that were identified by participants as being of significant consequence to them and that were determined to be linked to climate change are: salinity (including tidal flood), flood, storm, waterlogging (including siltation and heavy rainfall), drought, cyclone, and loss of biodiversity. 5 The project benefited from the advice of Dr. Barry Smit, the Project Monitor, in developing the approach.

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Six strategies were identified to reduce the vulnerability of household well-being to the identified vulnerability contexts. These are: Strategy 1: Increase food through agriculture Strategy 2: Increase income through alternative livelihoods Strategy 3: Increase food availability/storage Strategy 4: Improve health and personal safety Strategy 5: Increase access to safe water Strategy 6: Improve safety of housing and other property Within each strategy, different adaptation measures were selected for implementation based on the needs of grassroots people vulnerable to current climate-related complexities, and the experience of the PNGOs in the project area. The project worked with existing groups of the partner NGOs6. The extension process began with classroom training for group leaders and advanced group members on climate change issues and on adaptation measures (Table 1). Following this, learning sessions on the same issues were offered to all group members, facilitated by group leaders and PNGO field staff (Table 2). In some cases, groups were taken on cross visits to other communities where a particular measure was being implemented (Table 3), and in others, group leaders or others established demonstration plots for selected measures (Table 4). The goal of all of these activities was to provide knowledge, skills and encouragement to participants to adopt these measures to reduce their vulnerability to current environmental conditions, as well as to the predicted impacts of climate change. In addition to promotion of adaptation measures at the household level, activities to market the products produced through agriculture and livelihoods measures have been undertaken, along with research activities on hydroponics and waterlogging-tolerant rice varieties. 2.2 Community-Level Interventions Two community-level adaptation strategies, and corresponding measures, were identified that complement the work at the household level: Strategy 7: Reduce threats Strategy 8: Increase income through access to common property In order to reduce threats due to climate-related vulnerability contexts, the approach taken was to work with Union Parishad (UP)7 chairs, members and community leaders to improve their capacity to plan and implement community-level measures that will reduce threats from the vulnerability contexts of flood, drought, salinity, cyclone and waterlogging. The 14 targeted UPs were: Morelgonj, Khaulia, Baharbunia, Geodhara, Dhansagar, Khontakata, Fakirhat, Bahirdia, Mulghar, and Nalda-Moubhog in Bagerhat District; Kulia and Parulia in Satkhira District; and Trimohini and Sagardari in Jessore District. Four partner organizations worked directly with UPs on these measures: DDJ - Dak Diye Jai, IDEAL-Institute of Development Education for Advancement of Landless, Nabolok, and Samadhan. A number of training sessions and participatory exercises were undertaken with UP members to support this capacity development, including training on climate change and gender issues, participatory planning, civil society and good governance, and resource mapping, among others (Table 5). Implementation of the measures to reduce threats was

6 Working with existing groups was a decision taken for efficient project start up. 7 Union Parishads (UPs) are the lowest tier of elected government in Bangladesh.

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not within the scope and resources of the RVCC Project; however, the aim was for each UP to develop an action plan for the measure within the project’s lifetime. In addition to the work with UPs, a number of the PNGOs working at the household level have formed pressure groups and are working to advocate for threat reduction at the community level through measures such as tidal river management and canal excavation. The membership of these pressure groups generally consists of project participants, UP members, teachers and community leaders. The pressure groups have lobbied relevant government departments for action on vulnerability through workshops, roundtable discussions, and rallies8. Access to common property, particularly common water bodies, was identified as a need for poorer participants in order to implement measures under the agriculture and livelihoods strategies. Activities under this strategy supported local-level advocacy to ensure rightful access to these resources by participants. 2.3 Awareness Raising The awareness campaign was undertaken by RVCC in partnership with five organizations: AOSED-An Organization for Socio-Economic Development, CDP-Coastal Development Partnership, DDJ-Dak Diye Jai, GUS-Gono Unnayan Sangstha and Rupantar. Uttaran, RVCC’s advocacy partner, also contributed to the awareness campaign. For the awareness campaign, the objectives were: To raise the awareness of 1 million people about climate change causes, effects and

adaptation strategies; and To increase the capacity of campaign partners in developing awareness tools and

information collection and dissemination. The majority of activities under this outcome focused on increasing awareness on current climate-related vulnerabilities, their linkages with the livelihoods of grassroots people in the southwest of Bangladesh, potential adverse impacts of climate change, and potential coping options available. The project undertook a number of activities to raise awareness, including grassroots cultural activities, working with local Eco-clubs for sensitization of mass people, dissemination of information for the literate population through newsletters and other publications, and the development of a school program on climate change, among others. 2.4 Advocacy Campaign Although advocacy results were incorporated in two of the project’s expected outcomes, with local-level advocacy under Outcome 3 and national-level advocacy under Outcome 4, in practice activities were undertaken as one multiple-level campaign. The advocacy issue chosen by the RVCC Project and its partners was the potable water crisis in the context of increasing salinity in southwest Bangladesh. During the Vulnerability Assessment, salinity was reported as a major vulnerability context in Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat Districts, with severe impacts on access to potable water. Building on the results of the Vulnerability Assessment, the advocacy team conducted a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) to gather more information about the effects of increasing salinity on livelihoods and access to safe water. Women’s groups in particular focused on the daily problem of obtaining water to drink. 8 Information on the results achieved by the pressure groups has been included in the section on local-level advocacy (Section 3.3).

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The campaign was undertaken by RVCC in partnership with Uttaran, a local NGO, along with the Pani Committee, a civil society organization dedicated to addressing water issues in the region. The objectives of the advocacy campaign were: To incorporate drinking water issues in the context of increasing salinity in the southwest

region into the National Water Policy and National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation;

To ensure that the issue of saline drinking water is incorporated into the final National Water Management Plan (NWMP).

Key messages and target audiences were selected by the campaign partners, and the messages were communicated through grassroots mobilization, persuasion and lobbying, and a media campaign. Some of the key messages included: 12 million people in coastal areas are suffering severely from lack of safe water due to

salinity coupled with arsenic contamination. It is important to give proper attention to the practical needs of poor and vulnerable people.

Poor people (particularly women and children) are suffering from saline drinking water. This problem will become more severe in future due to climate change. The problem of saline drinking water is overlooked in relevant national policies, and

needs to be incorporated into these policies. Salinity intrusion and the related drinking water problems are not included in the National

Water Management Plan (NWMP). It is urgent that the potable water crisis in this region be addressed appropriately in this plan.

Working with the Pani Committee, the project’s civil society partner on the advocacy campaign, was key to the success of the grassroots mobilization efforts. Through the Pani Committee, a letter campaign was organized, with over 10 000 letters sent to the Prime Minister describing people’s struggles with water access, and demanding action to provide safe water. The Upazila9-level Pani Committees in seven upazilas in Satkhira and Khulna Districts held rallies and submitted memorandums to the Prime Minister through their respective Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO)10. Attendance at these rallies averaged over 500 people. The Central Pani Committee also organized memo submissions at the district level in Satkhira and Bagerhat. Other tools used by the campaign to mobilize people at the grassroots level included cultural shows, wall writing, a poster campaign, and rallies on World Water Day in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The persuasion and lobbying activities began at the local level, with workshops at the Upazila level in nine Upazilas to raise awareness of the potable water crisis and to identify appropriate solutions. Orientation seminars on the issue and possible solutions were held for selected political party members, civil society, Members of Parliament for the affected constituencies, and district-level representatives of relevant government agencies in Khulna and Satkhira. The media campaign included orientations for journalists to provide an overview of climate change and its effect on potable water, to provide a deeper understanding of the issue to form a foundation for investigative reporting. A press conference on water rights targeting local and regional journalists was held in Bagerhat on Human Rights Day. The Pani Committee organized the publishing of a mass appeal in four leading national newspapers. The appeal outlined the causes of the water crisis and its effects on people and the environment, and demanded appropriate action by government. The linkages developed with local and national journalists have resulted in a significant amount of media coverage on 9 Upazila is the administrative unit above the Union Parishad. 10 The UNO is the head of government at the Upazila level.

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the issue and the activities of the advocacy campaign. The project has also received coverage of some of the advocacy activities on government and private television channels. At the national level, activities began with a review of relevant Government of Bangladesh policies for linkages to climate change and to the salinity and potable water issue. The policies reviewed were: National Water Policy, National Water and Sanitation Policy, National Agricultural Policy, Proposed Integrated Coastal Zone Policy, Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, Local Perspective Planning of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat Districts, National Shrimp Regulation, National Water Management Plan (draft), National Land Use Planning Manual, and the National Fisheries Policy. The policy review found that in general, climate change and the salinity problem were left out of relevant policies, however, there were opportunities within existing policies to reduce climate-related vulnerability. This policy review has been published and circulated to relevant stakeholders, including the NAPA Sectoral Coordinators, relevant government departments and like-minded NGOs. A symbolic strike was held with approximately 350 people in attendance at a significant location in Dhaka. The strike was attended by national political leaders and Members of Parliament, who spoke and urged the government to take action on the water crisis in the southwest. A procession to the Prime Minister’s office followed the strike, and a memorandum was submitted to the PM. A very successful Round Table Discussion was held in Dhaka, organized by RVCC, Uttaran, and The Daily Jugantar (national newspaper with second-highest circulation). Key participants included the Chair of the Parliamentary Water Policy Committee, high-level officials from water-related government agencies (DPHE, LGERD, WARPO, WDB), other NGOs and projects working on water issues, journalists, civil society representatives, and grassroots representatives from the southwest region (total of 78 people in attendance). The format of the workshop included a presentation on the drinking water problem, an identification of policy constraints, possible solutions, and an overview of the advocacy campaign to date. After an open discussion, participants concluded that urgent action was required to address the problem. The Chair of the Partliamentary Water Committee recognized that this issue is not addressed in the National Water Management Plan (NWMP) and committed to reviewing the policy and plan in the near future. He also emphasized the need to control expansion of shrimp farming in the region through legislative action. All participants committed to supporting the advocacy campaign until the drinking water problem is solved. The event received a great deal of media attention and follow-up is ongoing. 3 Results The expected results of the RVCC Project were extremely ambitious for the length and scale of the project, however an impressive array of concrete results were achieved. It is important to note that the project LFA does not really capture the range of results achieved by the project, and so additional sections have been added to reflect these further achievements. RVCC did not work in isolation, so there may have been other factors involved in achieving some of the results reported, however in all cases it is felt that the project made a significant contribution to the achievement of the change or result reported. 3.1 Household-Level Results

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3.1.1 Results at the Output Level At the output level, the expected result was: livelihood strategies of 4,300 households are made more responsive to climate change through activities implemented by project partners (Output 1.1). This change is indicated by the percentage of participating households with new livelihood activities identified as a result of project activities, and the percentage of households with new income sources identified as a result of project activities. As of the end of March 2006, an estimated 5000 participant households11 had begun implementation of one or more adaptation measures being promoted by the project, as well as over 200012 secondary adopters (see Section 3.1.2 and Table 8). This exceeds the target of 4300 households. It is clear that the training, cross visits, demonstration plots and individual follow-up undertaken by the partners directly resulted in the adoption of adaptation measures by these households. Among these households: Approximately 40% were implementing agricultural activities such as floating gardens

and homestead gardening (Strategy: increase food through agriculture). Approximately 40% were raising different types of livestock (Strategy: increase income

through alternative livelihoods). Approximately 60% were undertaking new income generating options such as crab

fattening, cottage industries and cage aquaculture13 (Strategy: increase income through alternative livelihoods).

Approximately 64% had identified new income sources as a result of project activities.

In addition to the introduction of adaptation measures, the partner organizations undertook a number of other initiatives that will increase households’ ability to respond to climate change. 11 See Table 6. Note that in Table 6 some individuals are counted more than once because they are implementing more than one measure. The estimate of 5000 households is made based on an assumption that households are implementing 2-3 measures. 12 See assumption above. 13 Note that percentages add to more than 100% because some sampled households are implementing more than one measure

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Many of the partners offer micro-credit programs as part of their regular activities under other projects/funding, and offered RVCC participants access to these services to assist with start-up costs for adaptation measures. This allowed participants to purchase livestock and poultry, seeds, fish fingerlings and materials for cottage industries. Based on estimates from PNGOs, approximately 50% of RVCC Project households have accessed credit programs through the partner organizations for RVCC activities. This access to credit creates a relationship with the partner organization that may extend beyond the life of the project, and may provide opportunities for participants to access credit for future initiatives. Access to affordable credit is an essential service in terms of facilitating adoption of new livelihoods measures. This demonstrates the importance of the relationship between the partner organizations and the project participants in successful implementation of adaptation measures. Recently, more emphasis has been placed on improving linkages between RVCC participants and government service providers. This is important for sustainability, and is also in line with CARE Bangladesh’s focus on rights-based approaches. PNGOs used a number of different methods to build these linkages, including workshops with government service providers and project participants, providing orientation sessions on climate change issues, inviting service providers to conduct training sessions for PNGO staff and participants, inviting them to project-related events, and accompanying project participants on visits to service providers’ offices. As a result of the linkages developed, over 4000 project households have received support from government service providers for their RVCC-related activities14: The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has provided training and technical

support on homestead gardening, tree plantation, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to 549 households

The Department of Livestock (DoL) has provided training and technical support on goat, poultry and cattle rearing (1249 households)

Participants have received support in the form of ducklings and subsidized vaccines for livestock from the DoL (1884 households)

The Department of Fisheries (DoF) has offered training for project participants on fish and prawn culture and disease control in small-scale fisheries (665 households)

The Department of Forestry has partially subsidized the cost of saplings for participants (237 households)

The Department of Social Welfare has provided interest free loans and training on handicrafts production (94 households)

Interest free loans have been accessed by 130 households through their Upazila Nirbahi Office (UNO)

Post-flood rehabilitation support for seeds and fertilizer was accessed by 354 households from the DAE

Vulnerable Group Development cards have been received by 171 households through their UNO. These cards entitle poor households to food support from the UNO on a monthly basis.

RVCC participants (13 female, 12 male) received training in vaccination from the Department of Livestock so that they can provide low-cost vaccination services in their communities.

The Department of Public Health Engineering provided support for rehabilitation of a pond-sand filter and establishment of rainwater harvesters, benefiting 60 RVCC households.

14 Note that some households may have received more than one type of support.

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Building these types of relationships with government service providers will increase the sustainability of the adaptation measures being promoted, and will strengthen the ability of project participants to secure their rights to government support. A number of other measures have been promoted that will increase resiliency to the predicted impacts of climate change. Access to potable water has been addressed through installation of rainwater harvesters, promotion of simple filtration technologies, and installation of deep tube wells, together with training on operation and maintenance of these systems (Table 7). Vulnerability to storms and cyclones has been addressed through awareness and advocacy related to cyclone safety, and promotion of indigenous technologies for storm-resistant housing. Food security in flood situations has been improved through food storage techniques and distribution of portable stoves. All of these measures represent steps that will ensure that the livelihood strategies of the project households will be more responsive to climate variability and longer-term climate change. Saleha Begum of Bashdanga in Keshobpur Upazila was a housewife in a very poor family with very few opportunities to improve her situation. She was completely dependent on her husband to maintain the family livelihood. When RVCC began, Saleha Begum received permission from her husband to participate. She received training from the project on duck and poultry rearing, mele cultivation and mat making, and is currently involved in all of these activities. She feels that she has been empowered, and that her new activities have increased her acceptance, respect and dignity in the family and the community. She has achieved self-reliance, and she is proud of her accomplishments.

3.1.2 Results at the Outcome Level The expected outcome of RVCC’s work at the household level was: vulnerable households demonstrate improved capacity to innovate in their livelihood strategies, reducing vulnerability to climate change (Outcome 1). The indicator that this is occurring is households vulnerable to climate change seek out, test, adapt and adopt ideas and practices that strengthen their livelihoods. There is strong evidence that this result has been achieved. In addition to the RVCC Project participants, over 2000 households adopted adaptation measures that they were not practicing before the RVCC Project (Table 8). These are neighbours or family members of the households involved with the RVCC Project who have learned about the different measures through the RVCC participants and have decided to try them out for themselves. The project sees this as a clear indicator of the success of the extension methods being employed, the appropriateness of the measures being promoted, and the sustainability of the approach. These “secondary adopters” are an excellent example of vulnerable households seeking out and testing ways to strengthen their livelihoods. The most common measures among secondary adopters included homestead gardening, duck rearing, poultry rearing, and saline-tolerant tree plantation. The 510 demonstration plots established by participants through the project are another concrete example of households testing the adaptation measures. These plots were established by project participants, mostly group leaders, who were willing to take the risk and be first to try out a new measure. The project subsidized some of the cost of setting up the demonstration plots, and participants contributed in-kind. The plots are seen as an important tool in encouraging other group members and neighbours to adopt new practices

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to reduce their vulnerability to environmental change. Similarly, 28 demonstration houses have been retrofitted to test and disseminate storm-resistant construction features. Testing of measures was also undertaken through the research activities on waterlogging-resistant rice varieties, described in Section 3.1.5. As project implementation continued, there was increasing evidence of participants adapting the measures to suit their particular needs and context: Twenty-four households cultivated floating gardens on beds made of banana trees, as

water hyacinth is not found in their vicinity. One household is growing kown, a local cereal, on floating beds, which is a new

innovation. In 36 households, crops such as beets, maize, cucumbers, onions, and sweet potato

were started early by building beds on land and floating them later when water levels rose.

One participant used a floating bed to save her nursery saplings from flooding. Homestead vegetables are being grown in pots, bamboo baskets or on raised platforms

by 105 households to protect from salinity and flooding. Floating garden beds were used as a shelter for 46 families and their livestock, poultry

and fodder during the September flooding. Floating beds were also used for drying rice during the flooding (25 households). A new type of rope made of coconut husks has been developed by 67 women who are

doing cottage industries. Species such as groundnut, chili, watermelon, muskmelon, sesame, and taro are being

tested for drought tolerance by 61 households Thirty-two households cultivated sweet gourds during the dry season by placing the

decomposing floating beds on land and planting on them. The adoption of measures is occurring both among project participants and by other households in the region, as reported above. Many, many thanks to RVCC for teaching and motivating me to cultivate vegetables at my homestead.

Jharna Begum, Barasinga village, Baruipara UP Beyond the project activities, RVCC participant households have undertaken other measures which demonstrate their increasing capacity to address climate-related vulnerability. For example: Raising the plinth of their house to protect against flood and tidal surge (184 households) Protecting homestead from flood and tidal surge by surrounding with embankments (53

households) or by raising the homestead (37 households) Construction of portable stoves (copying stoves distributed by RVCC) for cooking during

flood situations (155 women) Raising embankments around ponds to protect from flood and tidal surge (257

households) Growing rice in shrimp ghers using indigenous water management to protect against

salinity (25 households) Sheep rearing as an alternative livelihood strategy in saline areas (15 households) Raising latrines above flood levels (40 households) Raising height of hand pumps to protect from flood and tidal surge (4 households)

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From all of these examples, it is clear that the project is making an important contribution to improving the capacity of households to innovate in their livelihood strategies, thereby reducing their vulnerability to climate change. The sustainability of these initiatives is increased through ongoing support and encouragement from field organizers, and by strengthening linkages with government service providers to secure support for project participants. Recently, many of the groups have decided to seek registration as CBOs through the GoB, facilitated by the PNGOs. As well, several of the partners have absorbed the RVCC groups into their other programs, which will ensure ongoing support from the partners.

3.1.3 Vulnerability Reduction In an attempt to take a more holistic view of vulnerability reduction beyond the indicators identified in the LFA, the project undertook a series of participatory monitoring and evaluation (M&E) exercises with selected participant groups in April 2005. The goal of the exercises was to capture the impact of the project activities in reducing vulnerability, as perceived by the project participants. Sessions were conducted with 28 groups (14 male, 14 female), which were selected on the basis of strategy and vulnerability context. All exercises covered some general information relating to participation, mobility, and coping mechanisms, as well as strategy-specific information. It is interesting to note that in both male and female groups the discussion focused on female mobility and participation as opposed to male groups focusing on the male situation and female groups on the female situation. This may have been a result of the direction of the facilitators, but regardless it seems to demonstrate increasing gender awareness. The raw data gathered through the sessions was analysed by a team including project staff, the project’s M&E core team (with representatives from partner NGOs), and the project’s Technical Advisor. The following sections describe the general conclusions drawn from the analysis. The information is supplemented with information gathered from sampled households through the project’s information management system (MIS). General Information Mobility/Interaction A Venn Diagram and open discussion were used to gather information on change in mobility over the project lifetime. According to male groups, female mobility is increasing, however the male assessment of female mobility was sometimes different from that of female groups, in that they had a more positive perception of the situation than the female perception. Generally speaking, it seemed that after the project intervention and training, both male and female mobility increased. For women, it was clear that this mobility was limited to particular areas, such as primary school, health center, PNGOs and other NGOs. In some cases, the increased mobility could not be directly attributed to RVCC activities (for example, interaction with primary school and center). The increased interaction by women with NGOs (as opposed to banks or government service providers) may be a result of donor emphasis on gender issues, which requires NGOs to give priority to female participants. A significant change was noted in the case of the minority groups15 interviewed. They reported that they are more confident in approaching service providers (for example, government land offices) and NGOs, and that these organizations are more open to providing support to these groups. The targeting of these groups by one of the partner

15 Minority groups worked with are ethnic Hindu Muhunda and Mahato groups.

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NGOs seems to have had a positive impact in terms of reducing discrimination within the wider community. It was suggested by the groups that more work needs to be done in raising awareness of household leaders, imams16, teachers and UP members on gender issues. Access to Services A Venn Diagram was used to examine the before and after project situation regarding access to services. Generally speaking, it seems that access to services has improved within the project’s target groups, and some groups have accessed services that they previously were not able to. There is evidence that access to services for women has increased, however they mentioned fewer services than men (usually NGOs, schools, and UPs were mentioned). Access to credit providers, particularly NGOs has increased, providing participants with more choices, and more options in terms of low interest schemes and training. In all cases, it seemed that access to services from NGOs had increased, however some groups were still having trouble accessing government services. The level of service from the Department of Livestock and the Department of Agricultural Extension seemed to have the most significant improvements. It was felt that this was a direct result of the facilitation of the PNGOs, including accompanying participants to government offices, holding workshops to make linkages with service providers, and organizing training and technical assistance from service providers for project participants. Other services, for example health services, were mentioned in the groups as having improved, but were not targeted by RVCC. Female groups in particular mentioned health services, which indicates women’s emphasis on family health, and validates this finding from the Vulnerability Assessment. In communities addressing safe water, it was noted that linkages had not been improved with the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), the government agency responsible for rural water supply. It was found that access to services from UPs had increased, notably in the communities where the project is working with the UP. This indicates the importance of taking an integrated, multi-level approach to vulnerability reduction, and of addressing good governance and participation. Minority groups indicated that their ability to access cyclone shelters has increased (elders were able to access the cyclone shelter, where before no one in the group had), however there are still barriers to this access, and to equitable access to services for these groups. Participation in Household-level Decision-making Discussions on participation in household-level decision making were centred on a matrix tool as well as open discussion. Results of the exercises indicate that the perception of women is still influenced by social taboos, and that major decisions will be taken by the male head of the household. In some cases, women were able to take decisions, but the permission to decide was given by the male. Certain decisions still do not receive any input from women, in particular those relating to business, agriculture, selling and purchasing of land, and taking credit. Women and men felt that women did have effective participation in decisions relating to having children, education and marriage of children, and selling of poultry. Male groups seem to believe that women’s participation in decision-making has increased, while women could only identify a few decisions where they are involved. The

16 Religious leaders.

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level of participation in decision-making was also perceived differently. Most of the female groups indicated an unsatisfactory level of participation in household-level decision making. Women felt that their participation was increasing as a result of involvement in income generation and increased knowledge. It was evident that they feel that knowledge is empowering – awareness of issues beyond climate change is increasing confidence of women, helping them to feel that they have more to contribute to family well-being, which results in more recognition of their contribution by other family members. The question remains of whether their opinion is being recognized, or if it is simply that they are contributing money. In some cases, the money earned by women was handed over to the male head of household for spending. Women’s groups voiced their desire for equal participation in household decision-making, while men’s groups still undermined the ability of women to contribute effectively. Women still feel that their contribution to the family is undervalued. It is clear that there is a strong need to emphasize women’s participation, not only in terms of providing opportunities for knowledge development and income generation by women, but equally as importantly in terms of changing mindsets of their male family and community members. Participation in Community-Level Organizations Community-level participation was analyzed through matrix and focused discussion. Participation by women in community-level decision making is low to non-existent. RVCC activities initiated women’s participation in community-based organizations, particularly related to water resource management (e.g. water management committees, Pani committee), but there didn’t seem to be any significant involvement by women in other organizations. It was clear that when given the opportunity for active participation, women do become involved and feel that their participation is effective, for example in community federations and water management committees. These types of opportunities tend to occur during NGO-based work as opposed to through government initiatives. Women’s groups stated that representation is important. They felt that after being given the opportunity to observe and learn, effective participation will come. Women in minority groups reported no participation at the community level, and in general, minority groups feel that their participation outside their own community is not welcomed. Coping Mechanisms The pre-project coping mechanisms were compared with the post-project coping mechanisms through a matrix and discussion. It was found that generally speaking, more drastic coping mechanisms such as women eating non-traditional foods or starving themselves during lean periods, outmigration, and selling land/assets, are decreasing with increasing self-reliance and self-assertion that vulnerability can be reduced. Illegal activities such as fishing and tree felling in the Sundarbans were also mentioned as having decreased. One of the major conclusions that can be drawn is that access to credit facilitates coping. It was found that access to credit had increased significantly, while dependency on high-interest money lenders had decreased. Credit is counteracting asset erosion, which used to be a major way of coping with vulnerability. It was also mentioned that neighbours and shops are extending credit to participants, which shows that they are seen as being more stable economically. It is too soon to determine if there will be any negative impacts of this use of credit to cope, however it is seen as a less destructive coping mechanism than borrowing from money lenders or selling off assets.

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It was also found that the products of agriculture and livelihoods measures are helping to cope in times of crisis. In many groups, it was noted that people are selling products of these measures to take them through the lean period. Measures such as duck and poultry rearing can help poor households to avoid starvation during crisis periods. Increased income and food security was shown to have a direct linkage to vulnerability reduction. Some women’s groups indicated that they are secretly saving money earned from income generating activities to help with coping in the lean time of the year. Other groups noted that they are preserving food to be used in the flood period, and that this has significantly reduced the impact of flooding on family well-being. Constraints to Changing Practices There were three major types of constraints identified: Economic/financial constraints: lack of capital, lack of land or water body, lack of access

to required materials (e.g. ducklings) Biophysical/environmental constraints: scarcity of water and fodder for livestock,

flooding, increasing salinity, pests, lack of water for irrigation Socio-cultural issues: lack of confidence in new measures, misconceptions/lack of

knowledge, religious/traditional beliefs or practices Institutional/governance-related constraints: lack of access to information, security of

assets, market limitations, land/water disputes It is clear that in order for a measure to be feasible and appropriate, it must address the abovementioned constraints, or supportive activities must be promoted to overcome the constraints. Constraints to implementing specific strategies are included below. Strategy-specific Information Information on specific strategies was gained through open group discussions around targeted questions, as well as participatory matrix exercises. Increase food through agriculture Measures under this strategy are being implemented by over 4000 RVCC households and more than 900 other households17. Homestead gardening is by far the most popular measure under this strategy, with more than 4000 households testing it in different contexts. It was found that food production increased in more than 90% of sampled households implementing agricultural measures promoted by the project. The most efficient measures in terms of production are: floating gardens (57 kg/decimal18 water area), homestead gardening (39 kg/decimal land area), and saline-tolerant crops (18 kg/decimal land area). Overall, alternative agricultural methods which are appropriate to the local conditions seem to be an excellent option for reducing vulnerability. Measures such as floating gardens and homestead gardening have high uptake rates, both among participants and among secondary adopters. Less resources are required to initiate agricultural activities, so the constraints seem to relate more to environmental concerns such as pests, lack of water for irrigation, and risk of loss due to natural disasters. Market limitations were also mentioned, which indicates that this strategy is contributing to income security as well as food security. 17 Note that some households are implementing more than one agricultural measure. 18 1 decimal = 40.5 m2

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It was mentioned by the floating gardeners that the overall cost is low because chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not generally used. Most groups indicated that they would continue with the activities beyond their involvement with the project. Those doing floating gardens mentioned that there is high demand for their produce because they are tasty and have not been subjected to pesticides and fertilizers, so are being marketed as “organic”. Landless households appreciated the opportunity to grow food despite having no land. Groups also mentioned that their neighbours are interested to try out the measures in the next growing season. The groups growing drought-resistant vegetables indicated that they will continue because their food security has increased, but that the market price for their products is low. Increase income through alternative livelihoods Measures under this strategy are being undertaken by more than 9000 RVCC households and over 1500 other households19. Among sampled households, income increased in 56% of households implementing livelihoods measures. The measures with the best return on investment were mele cultivation (593% profit), cottage industries (547% profit), nursery establishment (410%) and cage aquaculture (388% profit). Measures with high adoption rates under this strategy include duck rearing, poultry rearing, goat rearing and saline-tolerant tree plantation. These measures have high participation rates among RVCC participants and among secondary adopters. It was found that if the initial investment is low, the measure is considered to be a low-risk investment, and that uptake will be higher. A lower initial investments also presents less of a constraint to poorer participants implementing the measure. The major constraints identified under this strategy related to a lack of resources, including capital for start-up, land or water to undertake the activity, and inputs such as ducklings or vaccines. Other constraints mentioned included a lack of confidence in new measures, biophysical constraints such as flooding and increasing salinity, fears about the security of assets, and market limitations. The overwhelming response to the question of whether people would continue the activities they have started was that if it was profitable, they will continue. The most profitable measures according to sampled households are cottage industries, mele cultivation, and cage aquaculture. Increase food availability/storage As a result of training offered by the project, 17 RVCC households are storing food in improved storage facilities for use in flood situations, and are storing approximately 240 kg of rice and dal per household. The food is stored on a raised bamboo platform and mostly includes different varieties of rice. In addition to the RVCC households, 15 other households have also begun storing food using the same technique. It was found that the households which had stored food were able to use this food during the September 2004 floods, and that this increased their food security in a time of crisis. The households are continuing to store food in preparation for future disasters and/or times of scarcity. The project distributed a total of 200 improved stoves to households in flood-proof areas. The stoves are portable, which is a major consideration in a flood situation (most rural 19 Note that many households are undertaking more than one measure under this strategy.

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people build their stoves in a hole in the ground – even minor flooding will make these stoves unusable). The new stoves can even be used on a boat if necessary. They are also more fuel-efficient, which means less carbon released to the atmosphere, which makes a contribution to climate change mitigation (small, but if they are scaled up it could be significant, as each family generally cooks twice a day using wood, vegetation or dung fuel). During the discussions for this strategy, female groups reported that most of the participants had used the improved stoves during last year’s flooding, however they had made some alterations to the stove because they felt that the food cooked in the stove tasted of smoke. They found the stove easy to move, and male groups noted that the stoves require less fuel. After the flood they have returned to using their traditional stoves, but have stored the portable stoves for use in the next flood season. Improve health and personal safety In terms of cyclone preparedness, the last cyclone was in 2003, and the groups reported that they received a warning signal from the radio. Many people are also still using indigenous ways of predicting cyclones. There are still barriers to access to cyclone shelters by minority groups. There are also some indigenous beliefs that hinder people from leaving their homes in time of cyclone, as they feel their homes will be safer if they stay behind. As a result of raised awareness on hygiene and sanitation, use of sanitary latrines has increased, however some people are still using bushes and open latrines. Women’s groups preferred the sanitary latrines as they are cleaner and less smelly and can be used at any time during the day or night. Increase access to safe water Access to safe water continues to be a challenge in the project’s target communities, and the longer-term sustainability of water interventions, particularly deep tube wells, is still questionable. There is a need for motivation and technical support in order for projects to operate, and there continues to be a lack of understanding regarding safe sources of water and appropriate technology for safe water. The major constraints identified were lack of technical knowledge or support, maintenance needs for water infrastructure, lack of appropriate roof for rainwater harvesting, and access to ponds. Salinity and arsenic were identified as ongoing problems. There is good uptake for indigenous filtering technologies for pond/river water, with approximately 350 households adopting this measure. Improve safety of housing and other property The most appropriate storm-resistant features identified that are being used locally include: - metal corrugate sheet roofing should be at least 0.33 mm or thicker; - corrugate sheets used for roofing should be bolted to purlins (horizontal frame between

the trusses) a maximum of every 8 inches; - trusses should be spaced a maximum distance of 2 feet apart; - roofs should be 4-faced rather than 2-faced to reduce chances of wind getting under the

roof and blowing it away; - rafters should be tied to posts (instead of simply sitting on top of the posts); - individual roof tiles should be secured to the roof (purlins); and, - all major posts (including corner posts and verandah) should be sunk into the ground for

stability.

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Posters promoting these features were distributed in the last quarter to schools, UPs and community organizations in storm-affected districts in the project area, along with a guideline for conducting learning sessions using the posters. In Khulna and Satkhira Districts, 28 houses were retrofitted with storm resistant features to test the storm resistant features and act as demonstration houses. As a result, an estimated 83 RVCC households and 15 secondary adopters have incorporated storm resistant features during regular repair and maintenance of their houses.

3.1.4 Pilot Marketing Initiative As RVCC participants began to implement the adaptation measures promoted by the project, it became clear that the success of some measures under the strategy to increase income through alternative livelihoods would be limited by a lack of marketing opportunities. Subsequently, a monitoring mission20 from CIDA visited the RVCC Project and recognized the need for marketing support to project participants. Based on the recommendation of the CIDA mission, a Canadian Marketing Consultant21 visited the RVCC Project in May 2004 and helped the project to initiate the process for developing a marketing strategy. The Marketing Consultant recommended that the RVCC Project to hire a National Marketing Consultant to assist the project in developing and implementing a pilot marketing initiative, focusing on a limited number of products and working with selected groups. A local consultant was hired in August 2004. Consultations with household-level partners were undertaken to determine which products should be targeted for the marketing pilot initiative. The crops finally selected were: crab (Scylla serrata), mele reed (Cyprus tagitiformis) and mats, and vegetables grown on floating beds (okra, tomato & red amaranth). Three partner organizations22 were chosen to work on the marketing initiative, based on their activities, and the ability to create marketing groups within an appropriate geographic area. A total of 5 groups consisting of 132 members are involved in the marketing initiative. A total of 48 participants (32 female, 16 male) are involved with mele and mat marketing, 25 participants (8 female, 17 male) are involved in crab marketing, and 59 participants (34 female, 25 male) are involved in vegetable marketing activities. PNGOs selected these group members from existing groups taking into consideration clustering of groups, number of participants involved in a targeted activity, level of production, marketing problems and communication problems. The marketing initiative of the RVCC Project is being developed in coordination with the Rural Livelihood Program (RLP) Project of CARE Bangladesh, which is also in the early stages of implementing a marketing strategy. RLP has taken the lead in forming a Marketing Core Group within CARE Bangladesh. Bi-monthly meetings of the core group are held, with staff of RLP, RVCC and other CARE Bangladesh projects participating. A series of activities have been undertaken to initiate the pilot marketing initiative. A survey on marketing needs was conducted with the five marketing groups. This survey identified the needs of the groups with respect to support for marketing, and will also provide baseline information for assessing the impact of marketing activities.

20 Monitoring Mission consisted of Kate Preston, Senior Development Officer, CIDA; Sylvia Islam, Senior Development Adviser, Canadian High Commission, Bangladesh; and, Nina Seahra, Asia Programme Manager, CARE-Canada 21 Knut M. Peltzer 22 IDEAL, SUS and Samadhan

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A Training of Trainers session was conducted by the Marketing Consultant for staff of the three PNGOs involved in marketing. Subsequently, the marketing team leaders provided training to their respective marketing groups on Leadership, Financial Management, and Marketing. A cross visit was organized for partner staff and project participants to the RLP project in Rangpur in the northern part of Bangladesh. RLP staff also visited the RVCC working area and gave feedback on the marketing initiative. The partner organizations have also provided support to the marketing groups for developing linkages with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), and the Department of Fisheries, as well as seed dealers, intermediaries, and wholesalers, and the Association of Crab Depot Owners at Debhata Upazila in Satkhira District. It is evident that for marketing initiatives to be successful, it is necessary to build networks with local institutions and facilitate access for project participants. As a result of the pilot marketing initiative, the five marketing groups are now more organized. They have divided into sub-groups and have selected a group member to take responsibility for selling products, buying inputs and collecting marketing information. Other major achievements of the marketing groups are summarized below: Vegetable Marketing Group Out of 59 marketing group members, 2 females and 4 males are regularly selling

vegetables in the local market as representatives of their vegetable marketing groups. In addition, 4 females are occasionally selling vegetables in the local market (UP level)

as group representatives. A total of 37 participants (26 females and 11 males) are producing vegetables on floating

gardens without using pesticides by using integrated pest management (IPM). After harvesting 37 participants are grading their harvested vegetables and receiving a

better price. One female and one male are buying seeds from the Upazila-level seed dealers on

behalf of their marketing groups. One female is collecting market information from one Upazila-level vegetable market

(Keshobpur) and 3 UP-level vegetable markets (Trimohini, Satbaria and Gopalpur) and sharing this information with her marketing group. Her husband is also providing support for market information collection.

Group members are now jointly developing production plans for vegetable cultivation considering market demands, price fluctuation, individual targets, early planting or late planting, harvest time, etc.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is providing technical support on IPM to the group members, as well as providing seeds and fertilizers.

Seed dealers are now providing quality seeds to the group members. Good relationships with faria (intermediaries) and wholesalers have helped them to

collect and disseminate market information and have increased their access to the market for selling their vegetables.

Transporters including truck drivers and rickshaw-van pullers have agreed to carry vegetables to market for lower prices and in some cases at no charge.

Group members produced 5670 kg of vegetables between May 2005 and January 2006, and were able to sell 70% of the vegetables produced.

A weekly savings program has been started by the group.

Crab Marketing Group Group members have begun to sell their crabs collectively rather than individually.

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The group of 25 members are divided into 5 sub-groups with one designated market representative for each sub-group. The group representative is responsible for crab selling and purchasing inputs such as soft crab and under-graded crab.

Each of the group members is now receiving 5-15 Taka more per kg of crab, as they are selling collectively and are more aware of market information.

Having observed the success of the crab marketing group, 14 people (6 females and 8 males) organized a marketing group for poultry. This group has started holding monthly meetings and have nominated a marketing group representative and a committee. This poultry group has also started a savings scheme, with each group member saving 20 Taka /week.

The crab group members have increased access to crab depots and the Association of Crab Depot Owners, and are regularly receiving information from these sources.

Between July 2005 and January 2006, the groups sold 0.87 ton of crab to the local crab depot.

Mele and Mat Marketing Group The 48 members of this group are practicing collective marketing through two selected

representatives, and are receiving 4-5 Taka more per mat from local markets and wholesalers.

The group representatives collect all of the mats produced by the group at a fixed price and after selling, the profit is shared equally among the group members and the marketing representatives.

The marketing group representatives have taken mat marketing activities as their main occupation.

Ten of the group members working on mat production have begun to work on product development, improving quality of mats and making mats with different designs, etc.

Considering the market price and availability of labour during the monsoon, 18 households are storing mele that will be used for mat making in the monsoon season.

Income of marketing group members has increased through collective marketing. The bargaining power of females increased as a result of their involvement in the

marketing group. As a result of networking and liaison with the UP (Khalishkhali) and Local Market

Committee, the marketing group has been allocated a sheltered space in the market where they can sell the mats and store unsold mats.

The group sold over 2500 mats in three different markets in the project area. The group has started a savings program for group members. The group is keeping records of expenditures, income, profit and loss. Two members of the group were are awarded a prize from the “Rural Poverty

Eradication Foundation of Bangladesh” for demonstrating a successful income generating strategy based on microcredit.

3.1.5 Research Results Waterlogging-Tolerant Rice Varieties The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) was a partner of the RVCC Project and worked to identify and test waterlogging-tolerant rice varieties. In order to achieve this objective, BRRI conducted field research through five local NGOs which had research experience on rice as a result of having worked with the Poverty Eradication through Rice Research Assistance (PETRA) Project. During the partnership period, a total of 48 indigenous rice varieties were tested through 15 trials. The trials were conducted in both

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fresh and brackish water, with 18 tested in fresh water, 19 in brackish water, and 11 tested in both conditions. The results of the tests indicate that eleven of the varieties tested are suitable to be grown in waterlogged areas. Out of these eleven, eight varieties are suitable to grow in areas waterlogged with fresh water, and are able to tolerant stagnant water23. The highest depth of water tolerated ranged from 100 cm to 160 cm. The other three varieties24 are recommended to grow in brackish water, with a depth tolerance up to 85 cm. Seeds of the recommended rice varieties have been preserved and will be sold to interested farmers for growing rice in waterlogged areas. Cultivation of appropriate indigenous rice varieties in waterlogged areas is considered a promising measure for adapting to this vulnerability context. Hydroponics (Floating Gardens) WRDS was another research-based partner organization of the RVCC Project. WRDS provided technical assistance on floating gardens to the four partners involved in this measure. The major activities accomplished by WRDS in the project period include a study to identify constraints to dissemination of hydroponics in the southwest region of Bangladesh, training and cross visits on floating garden technology, training on vegetable marketing, and the organization of two lessons sharing workshops on floating gardens. 3.2 Community-Level Results

3.2.1 Results at the Output Level The output-level result expected at the community level is: capacities of Union Parishads (UPs) and community leaders in 625 communities to plan and implement long-term adaptation strategies and short-term action plans for their constituencies is increased (Output 2.1). The indicator identified for this output is: 6 Union Parishads and community leaders have developed adaptation plans and begun implementing the plans. This was an extremely ambitious result to expect at the output level, and required a great deal of capacity development to reach. Over the course of the project, Union Parishads received training on roles and responsibilities of Union Parishads, gender issues, participatory planning, and forming a vision and mission related to climate change, among others (Table 5). As well, the UPs undertook two exercises to better understand resources and linkages to other institutions. Resource Mapping exercises examined the resources in the communities, including physical resources such as roads, canals and flood shelters, as well as institutions such as NGOs, government offices and educational institutions. Network Mapping was used to analyze the linkages existing between the UPs and other organizations and institutions. These exercises were designed to give UPs a better sense of what resources are actually at their disposal, and how best to capitalize on existing linkages. As a result of these exercises and the capacity built through the different training programs, UPs were in a much better position to plan for initiatives that will reduce the vulnerability of

23 These eight varieties are Kachkalom, Gourkajol, Khoiyamotor (tolerant of up to 160 cm depth) Kumrogori, Chepasarbassas (tolerant up to 145 cm) and Kaladhan, Jotabalam, Birpala (up to 100 cm). 24 These varieties are Nonakhachi, Sobrimaloti and Morichshail. 25 Note that target number of UPs was changed from 6 to 14 in late 2003.

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their communities to climate change. As of the end of the project, all 14 targeted UPs had developed Three Year Development Plans for adaptation to environmental degradation and climate change in their constituency. The major activities included in the plans are outlined below. Waterlogging is a problem in six of the target UPs26. The main activities identified in the plans to address the waterlogging issue are: construction of bridges to improve transportation in waterlogged areas; installation of culverts to improve drainage; river dredging to reduce siltation and improve drainage; Tidal River Management (TRM)27; removal of illegal barriers in the canal system; and re-excavation of canals. Nine of the target UPs are highly vulnerable to flooding28. The major activity identified to reduce flood vulnerability was construction and repair of embankments. Salinity is a major vulnerability context in nine of the project’s target UPs29. In these UPs, the actions identified tended to focus on access to safe water in their communities. Six UPs planned pond digging and re-excavation, construction of pond-sand-filters (PSFs) and rainwater harvesting to address safe water access. One UP also identified the digging of deep tube wells as a planned action. Wind break tree plantation was planned in 11 UPs and construction of cyclone shelters was prioritized by 2 UPs. Two UPs planned to prioritize sanitation and health, with education campaigns on sanitation, and linkages with the Upazila-level Health Complex to advocate for better service in the Union. The same two UPs planned for improvements to the UP office, including a Central Information Board, list of UP members and chairs, map of the Union, and landscaping at the UP office. Although not directly linked to climate change, these actions represent increasing interest and accountability on the part of the UPs in fulfilling their responsibilities to their constituents. Shobha Rani is an RVCC participant in Lalchandrapur village in Bahirdia UP. She was selected to establish a demonstration farm for duck rearing, and subsequently she began constructing a shed to house the ducks on the common land adjacent to her house. As she was working, a number of influential people came and threatened her, indicating that she could not use the land for her duck shed. She stopped the work, and spoke with Nabolok, her RVCC partner organization, about the problem. Nabolok’s Field Organizer accompanied Shobha Rani to the UP Office to report the incident. Two UP members accompanied Shobha Rani back to her house and helped her with building the duck shed.

3.2.2 Results at the Outcome Level

26 Bahirdia Mansa, Fakirhat, Mulghar, and Naldha Maubhog in Bagerhat; Sagardari and Trimohini in Jessore 27 TRM is a local approach to managing waterlogging which involves controlled flooding of beels to increase siltation in the beel and reduce blockage in canals 28 Baharbunia, Jiudhara, Khuolia, Morrelganj, Dhansagar, Khontakata, and Mulghar in Bagerhat; Khulia and Parulia in Khulna 29 Baharbunia, Jiudhara, Khuolia, Morrelganj, Dhansagar, Khontakata, and Fakirhat in Bagerhat; Khulia and Parulia in Khulna

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In the medium term, the expected result of this component is: communities demonstrate increased capacity to develop and implement community-level adaptation strategies (Outcome 2). This result will be achieved if: communities are sensitized to the general potential socio-economic and environmental impacts of climate change and are actively engaged in planning and implementing activities designed to counteract or capitalize on these potential impacts. There is increasing evidence that UPs are sensitized to the potential impacts of climate change, and more importantly, the current environmental issues facing their communities. Several UPs raised climate-related vulnerability issues at Upazila-level meetings and GO-NGO Coordination Meetings during the course of the project, demonstrating their understanding and interest in the issues. Climate change pot song and drama performances were organized in three UPs at the request of the UP chairs. One UP took the initiative to produce a banner and poster to raise awareness of climate issues in their constituency. One female UP member plans to submit a memorandum to the Water Development Board to appeal for action on waterlogging in her area. All of these examples demonstrate increased sensitization to climate-related vulnerability issues. If we fail to care for the world environment, then people will be affected, the balance between all living things will be disturbed, food supplies will be disrupted, and the world will become a poorer place for living beings.

Professor Talukdar Mostafezur Rahman, Chair, Baharbunia UP

As outlined above, all 14 targeted UPs have developed plans to reduce vulnerability to the impacts of environmental degradation, natural disasters and climate change. These are clear examples of increased awareness of the potential impacts of climate change and planning for activities which will mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. The challenge is to access resources to implement the activities, however the UPs, with the help of the partner organizations, are taking the necessary steps to make this possible. Recently, more efforts have been made by the UPs to access support from higher levels of government. All but one of the target UPs presented their Three Year Development Plans to the Upazila administration, with government service providers, local NGOs and community people also in attendance. The plans were well-received by those in attendance. As well, a coordination meeting was organized in each UP to share plans with service providers and obtain commitments for support. The result of these meetings was an action plan for each UP which identifies responsibilities of different institutions, including targets and timeframes. Government service providers, including DAE, DoL, DPHE, and DoF, have committed to providing various types of support to the UPs to implement their plans. The same UPs undertook a participatory process for developing their annual budget, and have posted the approved annual budget in their offices so that communities are aware of the plans and financial resources of their local government. Although this seems like a minor achievement, it is a major step forward in ensuring transparency and participation in local governance. Another unexpected result is the improvement in tax collection in target UPs from previous years. This will promote engagement of communities in UP activities, and will provide a much-needed source of funding for community-level actions. A number of actions identified in the action plans have already been implemented, as outlined below: Two UPs (Sagardari and Trimohini) have completed river dredging (total of 20 km of river

dredged) to improve drainage and reduce flooding.

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Embankments have been constructed by the same two UPs (total of 17 km of embankment constructed) to protect from flooding.

Two UPs took initiative to dig drains and remove unauthorized barriers from canals at the time of the flooding in September 2004 (Fakirhat and Bahirdia).

Roadside tree plantation has been undertaken by five UPs, covering both sides of a total of approximately 55 km of road (Fakirhat, Nalda-Maubhog, Mulghar, Bahirdia, and Parulia). Planting trees alongside the road has benefits in increasing stability of embankments, as well as for climate change mitigation.

Ten pond-sand-filters were repaired in two UPs (Khaulia and Khontakata). Two UPs re-excavated a total of six ponds for drinking water (Geodhara and

Dhansagar). Five km of canal was re-excavated by one UP (Dhansagar). Four UPs provided relief rice to affected people during the September 2004 flood (total of

1500 kg of rice distributed in Fakirhat, Bahirdia, Mulghar and Nalda-Maubhog). Two community-based nurseries were established in one salinity-affected UP (Parulia),

and approximately 10 000 saline-tolerant seedlings have been produced. One UP (Dhansagar) has improved their office environment by posting their roles and

responsibilities, adding some slogans on social development, and landscaping in front of their office.

One UP (Trimohini) has planted 1870 coconut trees along the edges of a community pond to improve stability of pond embankments and to contribute to climate change mitigation.

To ensure better drainage, two UPs (Trimohini and Sagardari) worked cooperatively to remove all unauthorized barriers from the Kabodak River.

It is clear that despite the resource challenges they face, UPs are motivated to take action to reduce climate-related vulnerability in their communities. They have developed capacity through the different trainings and exercises undertaken, through the project, and are currently focusing on accessing resources to implement the actions, through higher levels of government, service providers, NGOs and donors. The capacity gained will be sustained beyond the life of the project, and may be applied in planning for other areas as well. Dhansagar UP in Bagerhat Districtt was named for its production of dhan rice, however recently production has been very low due to a lack of fresh water for cultivation, resulting from increasing siltation in nearby rivers. As a result of outreach activities by DDJ, RVCC’s partner working in the area, the UP of Dhansagar has taken some initiatives to try to tackle the fresh water crisis. Memorandums were submitted by the UP to the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the local Member of Parliament, and the Prime Minister demanding action to increase the supply of fresh water for drinking and cultivation. The UP also organized a rally on World Water Day 2005, with the theme, “Save the People of Dhansagar from the Desert”. As a result of the UP’s motivation, three ponds have been re-excavated to provide a source of fresh water, and 5 km of canals have been re-excavated to increase fresh water flow to the area. 3.3 Local-Level Advocacy and Awareness Raising

3.3.1 Progress at the Output Level There are two outputs which are expected to contribute to the expected outcome for this component, one relating to local-level advocacy and one relating to awareness raising. For

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advocacy, the expected result is: in collaboration with a local NGO, a common advocacy issue related to climate change is identified and a joint advocacy campaign undertaken (Output 3.1). This will be considered to be achieved when an advocacy campaign has been planned and undertaken with a local NGO. The second output is: one million people living in the southwest have been exposed to climate change messages in awareness campaigns implemented by local partners (Output 3.2). The indicator of success for this outcome is one million people reached with information on climate change. Local-Level Advocacy Output 3.1 has been achieved. As described in Section 2.4, the advocacy campaign was implemented, with an emphasis on grassroots mobilization through a partnership with the Pani Committee, a civil society organization focusing on water issues in the southwest region. The objectives of the advocacy campaign were extremely ambitious for the time frame of the project and the level of influence of the campaign partners, but although the stated objectives were not achieved, the campaign has achieved some impressive results, as outlined in the table below.

Date Result RVCC Contribution to Achieving Result

October 2004 The Water Development Board (WDB) initiated the re-excavation of 20 km of silted river beds in Jessore District. This will restore fresh water flow to 19 villages, thereby increasing their access to safe water.

The Pani Committee submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister though the WDB and the local administration (Upazila-level). On the basis of this, the State Minister visited the area and an procession and ceremony were held by the Pani Committee, and he initiated action by the WDB on the re-excavation.

November 2004

In Khalinagar UP in Satkhira District, two ponds were re-excavated and two pond-sand-filters built by the UP in partnership with the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). These actions are supplying fresh water to 600 people.

The UP Chairperson was approached by RVCC’s advocacy partner and staff and consequently joined the Pani Committee. His commitment to the campaign prompted him to take action to address the issue in his own constituency.

December 2004

The Prime Minister announced in an inter-ministerial meeting that Tk 700 000 000 would be allocated to the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) to address rural water supply issues in the southwest region.

The letter campaign organized by the Pani Committee, in which 10 000 residents of the southwest region wrote to the Prime Minister demanding action on safe water, prompted her to call a meeting of water-related ministries on the issue, and as a result of this discussion, the funds were allocated.

January 2005

The Deputy Commissioner of Satkhira District lobbied the Rural Development Academy (RDA) to allocate funds for safe water supply in rural areas of Satkhira. As a result, Tk 2 820 000 was allocated by the RDA, and Tk 180 000 was collected from the community to provide piped water to 10 000 people.

The Pani Committee approached to Deputy Commissioner immediately after he was appointed in August 2004 to raise his awareness of the water crisis in the region. They offered an orientation to the administration, and the Deputy Commissioner visited the affected area. CARE and Uttaran also made follow-up visits to the DC to gain his support for action on the issue.

March 2005 At the RVCC National Roundtable Discussion, the GoB Water Sector Specialists and Chair of the Parliamentary Water Policy Committee

Presentations were made to the six MPs for the southwest region as well as to the Chair of the Parliamentary Water Policy Committee. The meeting called by the

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recognized salinity and safe drinking water as a serious issue and committed to interdepartmental coordination for action.

PM and the symbolic strike also contributed to the high level of interest in the issue.

April 2005 The DPHE has committed to provide safe drinking water to 30 000 people of Shyamnagar, Tala and Assanumi Upazilas. The work will be funded by the World Bank under the Arsenic Mitigation Project.

The project’s ongoing media campaign, as well as the National-Level Roundtable Discussion, raised awareness of the DPHE as well as members of the Arsenic Mitigation Project team.

August 2005 The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued a directive to the Ministry of Water Resources/Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) to address the potable water issue in the southwest region.

The media campaign, memorandum submissions and letter campaigns raised awareness at the PMO. As well, RVCC’s partner undertook direct lobbying at senior levels of government.

September 2005

On the direction of the LGRD Ministry, the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) forms a committee to make recommendations to address the potable water issue in the southwest.

Above contributed to this step as well.

February 2006

LGRD directs DPHE to design a project based on the recommendations. The design is to be completed within two months, and is to be designed to reflect the concerns and priorities of people in the region.

The Central Pani Committee worked with the DPHE to organize a workshop with senior officials, which provided an opportunity for local communities to voice their concerns and priorities.

Prior to the advent of RVCC in the southwest region, people were not aware of the real causes of their problems, particularly the potable water crisis. They’ve also learned about possible solutions.

M.A. Quasem, Central Pani Committee Member

Awareness Raising It is believed that Output 3.2 has been achieved. The estimated number of people reached by the RVCC Awareness Campaign is 1103003 (Table 9). They key tools used by the awareness partners to reach these people included: A radio program which is estimated to have reached at least 500,000 people with climate

change messages30. The development of a school program which communicated climate change information

to students in Classes VI-IX. The program was piloted in 65 schools and madrasas, and reached over 17 000 students, approximately 200 teachers, and 50 school librarians.

A media campaign which included partnerships with local and national journalists to cover RVCC issues and activities. The media campaign resulted over 200 news items

30 A national media survey conducted by the GoB showed that 23% of the population of the region use radio as a source of information, and that during the hour that the RVCC radio program was broadcast (Saturday afternoon), 48% of them regularly listen to the radio. Based on this, it is estimated that the radio program alone could have reached approximately 1 million people, so 500 000 is a conservative estimate of the number actually reached.

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and 25 feature articles in 18 national and 32 local newspapers. The media campaign is estimated to have raised the awareness of 45 000 people.

Working through Eco-Clubs31 was found to be an effective way to get climate change messages out to wider rural audiences. The village sessions and cultural shows undertaken by the Eco-Clubs reached over 60 000 people.

Documents targeting educated audiences, including newsletters, booklets, and an information package on climate change were distributed to approximately 89 000 people.

Pot songs and dramas and other cultural awareness events on climate change issues were performed to audiences totaling over 270 000 people.

In addition, the project has established a Central Information Center (CIC) on climate change, which houses an impressive range of publications and books on environment and climate change issues in the southwest region, as well as international references. The CIC is receiving an average of 175 visitors per quarter, including university students and professors, journalists, NGOs, research organizations and government agencies. Even taking into account potential overlaps between audiences reached by different tools, the project estimates that the audience reached exceeds the target of 1 million. As we are poor and reside in a remote area, we can only get information from the radio and we have great trust in it as it is administered by the government. I was waiting to listen to the RVCC radio program every Saturday along with other people in my community. We felt it was representing what we are and what we need. We hope for more of this type of program in future.

Amina Sultana, Padmapukur, Shyamnagar

31 Environment-focused clubs established within existing CBOs.

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3.3.2 Progress at the Outcome Level At the outcome level, this component focuses on the capacity developed by the partners in achieving the outputs as described above. The expected result is: local partners demonstrate increased capacity to collect and disseminate information related to climate change, and to advocate with the government on climate change (Outcome 3). The indicators that this result have been achieved are: partner organizations provide accurate and timely information on local and national climate change issues through presentations, literature, community meetings, conferences, programmes or workshops; and partner organizations are able to plan and implement advocacy campaigns on issues associated with climate change. This outcome has been achieved. As described above and shown in Table 9, the awareness campaign partners have certainly demonstrated their capacity to disseminate information on climate change using a variety of tools and methods. Beyond the campaign partners, other PNGOs have also shown evidence of increased capacity to provide information on climate change. A few examples are given below: Several of the project’s partners observed special days such as World Environment Day,

World Water Day, Human Rights Day, World Health Day, Ozone Day, and World Food Day by organizing rallies and special events to raise awareness of issues related to environment and climate change.

Three of the project’s partners presented on their RVCC activities and lessons at the International Workshop on Community-Level Adaptation to Climate Change in Dhaka.

Partners are bringing the climate change message to other forums, including the meeting on the Global Strategy for Civil Society on International Financial Institutions (Accra) and the International Conference on Regional Cooperation on Trans-boundary Rivers (Dhaka).

Partners have held independent Press Conferences on the climate change issue and their activities under the project.

Livelihood Fairs, Adibashi Fairs and Farmer Field Days have been organized to raise awareness of climate change and relevant issues to wider audiences in the project’s working communities.

Several partners have produced publications or tools to communicate on specific aspects of their work with RVCC, including a pot song on disaster preparedness and a publication on floating gardens.

RVCC partner GUS has received a grant to attend the World Water Forum in Mexico and will be doing a presentation on the Eco-Club work which was supported by the RVCC Project.

It is clear that the project’s advocacy campaign partner has the capacity to successfully plan and implement an advocacy campaign, but this result also extends beyond the campaign itself. Many partners have undertaken local-level advocacy campaigns in partnership with their participants to complement their work at the household or UP level. Examples of results achieved are provided below: Fifty-seven households have been given access to common water bodies by their UP to

do floating gardens. Access to common land for duck rearing has been granted to ten households. A partnership has been created with the Union Disaster Management Committee to try to

ensure access of ethnic minority groups to cyclone shelters, as well as adequate food, water and health services to ensure their personal safety in the event of a cyclone.

With the help of the partner organizations, two communities achieved commitments from their UP to re-excavate silted canals.

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One community was given the key to a local sluice gate in order to control tidal flows and increase flow of fresh water in their local river.

As a result of a mass petition submitted to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), the UNO has committed to use future development funds to repair embankments and address potable water issues in Koyra.

Cooperation between the community, the Water Development Board (WDB) and the UP has been initiated to ensure sustainable management of embankments in one community.

Two partners ensured post-flood relief and rehabilitation support from the UP for their participants.

Two communities have advocated for repair or construction of pond-sand-filters, and 250 households are benefiting.

The above examples demonstrate the capacity of the partners in undertaking local-level advocacy to support their other activities. This is important in taking an integrated approach to project implementation, and represents capacity development that will extend beyond the project. RVCC is a very exceptional and effective project for the Munda and Mahato32 communities. It would be more significant if the project could be undertaken for the whole Koira area, as the entire area is under threat of climate change. The concept, strategy and close monitoring are key to the success of this project. The limited results of this short project are not a big achievement, but the initiatives and change of traditional practices are appreciated.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Koira

3.4 National-Level Advocacy

3.4.1 Results at the Output Level The result expected at the output level for this component is: at least one significant policy issue associated with climate change in the southwest targeted by the project in a national-level advocacy campaign, involving project partners and other allies for climate change adaptation (Output 4.1). The indicator of success is: an advocacy campaign involving most project partners is planned and coordinated by RVCC and key national-level climate change activist organizations. There is clear overlap between this expected result and Output 3.1, and so the national-level advocacy campaign is being undertaken in conjunction with the grassroots advocacy activities. At the suggestion of CIDA, activities under this outcome were scaled back, however, as described above, the grassroots advocacy campaign has been successful in taking the salinity and potable water issue to the national level. The Advocacy Campaign described in sections 2.4 and 3.3 includes efforts towards engaging national-level stakeholders. A decision was taken to partner with one local organization with a large amount of experience in advocacy, and to undertake the campaign with them, allowing the other organizations to focus on their household- and community-level activities and awareness raising. The advocacy partner organization provided training on advocacy and human rights to the other partners, and there is coordination among the partners to foster an integrated approach to implementation.

32 Ethnic minority groups.

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Linkages with national-level stakeholders are increasing. RVCC has developed good relationships with the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP) and the Comprehensive Disaster Management Program (CDMP) teams, and there is a good two-way flow of information occurring between the different programs. The project is also developing relationships with water-related government agencies at the national level, and with Members of Parliament and representatives of different political parties. Representatives of these groups have participated in various RVCC activities, and have become important allies in the campaign.

3.4.2 Results at the Outcome Level At the outcome level, the expected result for the national-level advocacy is: project partners interact regularly with national level climate change stakeholders on policy advocacy issues (Outcome 4). The indicator identified for this outcome is: partner organizations are aware of and work with other organizations and institutions nationally and internationally on climate change issues. As reported in section 2.4, the project held a very successful National-level Roundtable Discussion on the issue of salinity and potable water. This event was instrumental in gaining attention for the issue at the national level, and in identifying influential allies to take the campaign forward. There is increasing evidence of partner organizations being aware of and working with other organizations on climate change issues beyond the RVCC Project. A few examples are given below: Two of the partners have joined the Climate Change Network-Bangladesh (CCN-B),

which is a network funded by Bread for the World, a German NGO. Many important contacts were made at the International Workshop on Community-Level

Adaptation to Climate Change held in Dhaka in January 2005, including with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS, University of Sussex, UK), and the Climate Centre of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society.

Engaging NGO Forum for Drinking Water and Sanitation to undertake the environmental assessment of the water projects and to provide training and technical assistance to

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partner NGOs has led to good linkages which have led to increased collaboration on water issues.

One of the project’s partners has joined a Network of NGOs Working for Sustainable Development in Bangladesh organized by the Institution and Policy Support Unit of the Sustainable Environmental Management Project (SEMP) funded by the UNDP.

Two of the partners have joined the Climate Action Network (CAN), an international network of organizations who are committed to fighting against climate change.

Good linkages have been developed with a number of local and national journalists, which has led to good coverage of project issues and activities in the media.

Collaboration with Action Aid Bangladesh on the advocacy campaign has been initiated. RVCC partners and project participants participated in the consultations for the National

Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA), a Government of Bangladesh initiative resulting from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and played an active role in ensuring that the grassroots voice was heard.

As the project proceeded, partners’ understanding and confidence on climate change issues increased, which led to increased linkages created with other organizations. It is anticipated that these linkages and collaboration efforts will extend beyond the life of the project. 3.5 Management Results

3.5.1 Results at the Output Level There are three expected outputs that relate to project management and implementation. They are: project staff provides effective support to project partners and project participants (Output 5.1); quality control, including monitoring and evaluation system developed and implemented for partners, UPs and project (Output 5.2); and efficient and effective project implementation, including reporting and dissemination (Output 5.3). The associated indicators are: project partners practice sound financial management, and incorporate gender and development (GAD) and good governance into their activities; a monitoring and evaluation system and MIS system developed and implemented by partners, UPs and project; and reports, including financial reports, prepared accurately and timely. The RVCC Project is implemented on the basis of equal partnership with its partner NGOs, as far as this is possible with CARE being accountable to CIDA and managing the finances of the project. The management structure for the project is shown in Table 11. The project has provided a wide range of training to the partner NGOs over the course of implementation, on topics such as facilitation skills, gender issues, monitoring and evaluation, and climate change issues, among others. The capacity of the partners in financial management, gender and governance has improved as a result of the training, mentoring and supportive activities undertaken by RVCC staff. An Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) was undertaken at the beginning of the project to identify capacity gaps and training needs. The assessment examined seven capacity areas: Board and Governance, Management Practices, Human Resources, Financial Resources, Service Delivery, External Relationship and Sustainability. This exercise was repeated at the end of the project to evaluate the change in capacity of the partners in the areas outlined above. The key areas of improvement identified in the repeat OCA were financial resources management, human resources (knowledge and skills) and governance. In addition, several partners were able to transform weaknesses into strengths, particularly with respect to:

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regular board meetings; gender balance of staff; collection and analysis of gender segregated data; quality control processes; community participation; and delegation of authority. Through their involvement with the OCA process, PNGOs realized that capacity development is a long-term process and needs to be sustained for organizational success. In addition to the changes analyzed through the OCA process, a number of examples of improved capacity at the partner level can be cited: Partners have developed organizational financial guidelines, procurement policies, staff

management policies, gender policies, and human resource development policies. Several partners have accessed funding from other sources (UNICEF, Stormy

Foundation, CARE Bangladesh’s Manusher Jonno program, etc.) to carry out activities which build on their partnership with RVCC.

IT skills have increased, including computer operation, using multimedia, electronic presentations, email, and internet.

Partners are increasingly being invited to participate in local, regional, national and international workshops and conferences to share their experiences on RVCC.

One organization has established an internal audit team and a monitoring and evaluation team.

Output 5.2 has been achieved. A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system has been designed for the project, covering the four program outcomes and incorporating a variety of data collection methods. A computerized Management Information System (MIS) has been developed to manage some of the data generated, particularly for Outcomes 1 and 2. The quantitative data collected for the MIS will be complemented by qualitative information collected through participatory methods. The overall goal of the M&E system is to evaluate progress towards achieving expected results, constraints to achieving those results, and to identify lessons learned that could be useful in future phases or other projects. Some partners have also incorporated monitoring and reporting systems into their operations. Quality control is achieved through ongoing interaction between RVCC staff and the PNGOs, through field visits, issue-based meetings, phone communication and other means. During the project life, dissemination of the methodology, results and lessons was undertaken in a number of ways, including: The project’s Technical Advisor was invited by the Secretariat of the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to present case studies on adaptation to climate change in developing countries at an In-Session Workshop of the Subsidiary Bodies for Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) in Bonn in June 2004. The presentation highlighted RVCC field activities and raised the awareness of high-level delegates on adaptation and resilience building.

The Project Coordinator participated in the 9th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (CoP 9), where the project activities were introduced for the first time in an international climate change forum. The proceedings of a workshop organized by the Climate Action Network-South Asia (CANSA) were published and distributed widely.

The Project Coordinator made a presentation at the 2nd Coastal Zone Asia Pacific Conference held in September 2004 in Brisbane, Australia.

The participation of the Program Officer, the Local Technical Advisor, and one PNGO Coordinator at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (CoP 10) was an extremely effective way to disseminate the approach and lessons learned from the project to international audiences.

A special edition of the Coastal Newsletter which included an overview of the project was circulated at CoP10.

The project’s Partnership Coordinator presented a poster on the project at the World Conference for Disaster Reduction (WCDR) in Japan in January 2005.

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RVCC staff and partners presented several different aspects of the project at the International Workshop on Community-Level Adaptation to Climate Change, organized by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) in Dhaka in January 2005.

A project brochure was developed and circulated at various events. A national-level lessons sharing workshop was held in Dhaka in April 2005 to present the

major results and lessons learned through project implementation. The workshop was extremely well-received, with over 100 people in attendance, good discussion and positive feedback for the project.

3.5.2 Results at the Outcome Level At the outcome level, the expected result is an efficiently and effectively managed project. The project has achieved this outcome, as evidenced by the progress reports. The management model (managed by CARE Canada and implemented by CARE Bangladesh through local partner organizations) worked well. CARE Canada provided strategic guidance and management to the project, as well as acting as the bridge between CIDA and CARE Bangladesh. The CARE Canada Programme Manager undertook regular missions to Bangladesh to monitor project activities and management, and provided constructive feedback to the Project Coordinator and staff in an effort to ensure quality of results. CARE Bangladesh’s extensive experience working in Bangladesh was a true asset in successfully implementing the project. Working through local partners improved local capacity as well as grounding the project in the local reality, however the lack of technical expertise within partner organizations created some challenges. It would have been useful to have more time and resources devoted to developing capacity of partners in issues related to the project. The project benefited from the expertise of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC), which provided advice and guidance to the project on the implementation strategy. The PAC included representatives from CARE Bangladesh, the Canadian High Commission, two of the partner NGOs, as well as the Project Coordinator and Technical Advisors. The PAC met on a regular basis over the life of the project to discuss strategic issues around implementation. 4 Cross-Cutting Issues: Gender and Environment 4.1 Gender

4.1.1 Gender Context in Bangladesh Bangladesh’s maternal mortality is high, at 380/100 000 live births (WB, 2000). The illiteracy rate for women is approximately 69%, which is significantly higher than that for men (WB, 2003). The majority of female-headed households are considered to fall below the poverty line The patriarchal system in place in Bangladesh controls women’s roles and responsibilities, mobility, and sexuality. Women’s status tends to be derived from their family, and they are generally seen as economic dependents, while high value is placed on sons as potential family providers and perpetrators of family names. There is an emphasis on women’s reproductive value and consequently less access to higher education for girls. The responsibilities of women tend to focus on family maintenance and the existence of

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succeeding generations. Within the household, decision-making and control of resources are generally in the hands of men. The majority of rural women workers are involved in the informal sector and subsistence activities. However, increasing poverty and reduced familial support have driven more women into the formal sector, usually in low-paid tedious jobs. Women who work in the formal sector generally do not receive an equitable wage, and upward mobility is limited, meaning that employment does not necessarily lift them out of poverty. Government and NGO interventions to address gender issues have generally focused on education, family planning and gender, with some success. However, despite positive steps at the policy level, gender discrimination is widespread, and and women, particularly poor women, are often not aware of their rights. Women’s participation in politics and economic activities is limited, and social taboos and religious practices are highly discriminatory towards women. Official statistics on health, nutrition, education, employment and political participation demonstrate gender discrimination.

4.1.2 Gender and Environmental Vulnerability Within vulnerable communities, women and children tend to be more vulnerable to environmental degradation and natural disasters. This is a result of poor socioeconomic and health status, roles and responsibilities within the household, a lack of mobility, and a lack of access to information. As described above, discriminatory laws and social practices reduce women’s mobility and access to resources and information, and this increases their vulnerability. Women are usually employed in the informal economic sector, which is the worst hit and least able to recover from disaster. In times of crisis, women often stay behind to protect the home and assets, and this can lead to increased incidence of injury or death. Because women are mainly confined to the homestead, they do not have access to information about potential risks of disaster. In crises such as flood, cyclone or other disasters, women are responsible for keeping the family together and providing the daily essentials. Women’s responsibilities in the family make them more vulnerable to environmental changes such as increasing salinity or waterlogging. Women are primarily responsible for food processing and gathering water, fodder and fuel, and generally their workload increases with increasing environmental degradation. This has secondary impacts in that girl children are more often kept at home to help out with household duties, rather than going to school. Women are primarily responsible for homestead production, however men tend to be the dominant seller and in control of family finances, and so women’s ability to enter into productive activities is often limited by a lack of capital. As a result of their close connections with their natural environment, women have a great deal of knowledge regarding environmental change and coping strategies that can inform adaptation initiatives. They are excellent environmental managers, and are often already employing effective coping strategies to deal with their current challenges. There is a need to capture these successful strategies and disseminate them in order to reduce vulnerability to longer-term climate change.

4.1.3 Integrating Gender into Project Activities In an attempt to analyze the differing vulnerabilities of women and men, the RVCC Project conducted a gender-sensitive Vulnerability Assessment at the beginning of the project to

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identify priority vulnerability and well-being areas to be addressed through project interventions. The assessment was designed to identify: what impacts of climate change poor households are vulnerable to; which aspects of well-being are affected and to what extent; what adaptive measures are most effective; and what are the constraints to implementation of effective adaptive measures. During the Vulnerability Assessment, separate Focus Group Discussions were held for males and females, and separate results matrices allowed determination of gender differences in results. It was found that women tended to prioritize health, housing and water, while men focused on income and food security. The Vulnerability Assessment also identified current coping strategies employed by women and men. The top three current coping strategies identified were the same for both men and women: selling labour; male migration; and taking loans to maintain livelihoods. Recognizing that women are especially vulnerable, the project prioritized destitute women, widows, divorced women and women-headed households when selecting participants for the household-level activities (58% of participants are female). A training needs assessment was conducted with the participant groups, and women’s groups prioritized measures that were close to home, such as homestead gardening or duck rearing. The measures promoted were selected accordingly. Learning and training sessions for women were held at one group member’s homestead and were held at times that do not conflict with women’s responsibilities in the home. Whenever possible, female field organizers facilitate the sessions for female groups. At the community level, the project emphasized participation of female Union Parishad (UP) members, and prioritized working with female community leaders. Gender training was provided to UP members, and additional training was provided to female UP members to support their effective participation. RVCC’s advocacy campaign addresses salinity and potable water, which was prioritized by women in the Vulnerability Assessment. At the suggestion of the project, the membership of the Pani Committee, the project’s civil society advocacy partner, was expanded to include five women. Within the awareness component, all awareness tools and materials were developed considering women’s understanding and concerns, and were field tested with women’s groups to ensure they were appropriate. Awareness activities were held at convenient times for women, for example pot song and drama performances were usually held in late afternoon, after household work is done and before dinner time. At the end of the project, participatory M&E exercises were undertaken to determine the level of felt vulnerability reduction in project households. These exercises were conducted separately for groups of men and women, and emphasis was placed on women’s participation and mobility throughout the discussions. Generally speaking, it was found that there were perceived improvements in women’s situation over the course of the project, however it is acknowledged by both the participants and project and partner staff that there is a long way to go.

4.1.4 Organizational-Level Actions on Gender The project has attempted to mainstream gender issues into operations at project and partner levels. Efforts were made to recruit female staff at the project level, and partner organizations were required to hire a female field organizer. Training on gender issues was provided for project staff and staff of partner organizations. At the beginning of the project, a training needs assessment was conducted, and a separate assessment was done for female

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staff. In line with CARE Bangladesh’s Gender Policy, a Gender Policy Operationalization Plan was prepared for the project, and progress on this plan is evaluated annually. At the partner level, female field staff were given the option of using public transportation for field visits (versus using bicycles or motorcycles), which makes field work much more feasible for women. A standardized maternity leave policy was established across partner organizations, and childcare costs reimbursed for partner staff attending workshops and training sessions. Several partners established separate toilets for female staff, which had never been done before. All of these examples represent concrete actions towards ensuring a women-friendly working environment. As a result, the number of female staff has increased, and respect towards women has increased among all staff. One partner has established a gender committee, led by a female staff member, to monitor gender-related issues in the organization and to resolve any gender-related conflicts or barriers encountered. Another has developed a gender policy, which demonstrates the organizational commitment to mainstreaming gender issues.

4.1.5 Gender-Related Results Achieved A number of concrete results have been reported by partners which demonstrate increasing gender equality: Confidence of women to speak in public has increased as a result of participation in

training and learning sessions. Women’s position in the family has been enhanced, and their participation in some

community organizations has increased. Several women are now selling products in the market on behalf of their marketing

groups. Women’s mobility has increased, and they are more able to participate in social events

such as fairs, cultural events, special day celebrations, religious functions, weddings, etc. Female participants have actively participated in rallies, memorandum submissions and

dialogues with government officials under the advocacy campaign. Women’s contribution to the family through the agriculture and livelihoods measures is

being recognized by their male family members. Women are able to make decisions about spending, and are choosing to buy clothing for

themselves and their children. Gender issues such as violence against women and dowry were included in UP’s three

year development plans. There is evidence of increased participation by female UP members. In the water management committees, approximately 40% of committee members are

female. In Bahirdia UP, there was no female representation the UP Standing Committee for the Protection of Women from Violence. After receiving training on gender issues from the RVCC Project, the female UP members raised the issue, and the UP agreed to amend the membership of the standing committee to include women.

4.1.6 Challenges and Lessons Related to Gender

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Many challenges have been encountered in effectively integrating gender into the project activities and management. One major challenge relates to the selection of partners and identification of priority issues through the Vulnerability Assessment. As mentioned above, women prioritized health and potable water as their priority areas of well-being, however the partners (who were selected before the Vulnerability Assessment was undertaken) had more expertise in agriculture and income generating activities, and so this limited the project’s ability to address women’s priorities effectively. Incorporating partnerships with organizations with more diverse expertise, particularly on water and gender, would have improved the project’s ability to address women’s priority concerns. At the activity level, the ability of women to participate in the implementation of adaptation measures at the household level is sometimes limited. Social and religious restrictions are difficult to overcome and can limit opportunities to undertake new activities. Decision making control for the family is rarely in the hands of women, and often a lack of access to resources, either land or capital, makes it difficult for women to innovate in their livelihood strategies. Mobility outside the homestead is limited, which reduces opportunities for training, accessing financial and/or technical support, and marketing of products. As well, time-consuming food habits and lack of available child care limit women’s time for productive activities, and involvement in new activities increases women’s already heavy workloads. Appropriateness and feasibility for women must be a key consideration when selecting adaptation measure to be promoted. The project has made efforts to ensure participation by women in Union Parishads and in the Pani Committee, the project’s civil society advocacy partner, however there are questions about the adequacy and effectiveness of this participation. The proportion of female members on these committees is well below 50%, and it has been observed that their participation in discussions and decision-making is often weak. There is a strong need to prioritize equitable and effective participation by women in local government and civil society organizations, and this will require special training and capacity development efforts. At the organizational level, the project has had limited success in attracting and retaining qualified female staff, at both project and partner levels. Transportation, suitable lodging, family responsibilities, and fear of harassment or tarnished reputations make field work difficult for women, and this may have discouraged candidates from applying. Despite best efforts and best intentions, project and partner staff still often exhibit a lack of awareness of gender issues. Despite these challenges, progress has been made. Attitudes towards women and gender roles are deeply rooted in the culture, and in practice, these are extremely difficult to change. More effort is certainly needed in future work on vulnerability reduction to ensure that women’s concerns and needs are effectively addressed. It is clear that many of the reasons women are vulnerable are the same reasons that they are unable to take action to reduce their vulnerability, and the root causes of these constraints must be addressed. Ensuring that women are aware of their rights and that their voices are heard - within their own households, in community organizations, and in government - will continue to be a challenge in the context of Bangladesh.

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4.2 Environment

4.2.1 Environmental Context in Southwest Region of Bangladesh Southwest Bangladesh has a typical tropical monsoon climate regime with warm to hot temperatures and high levels of precipitation with pronounced seasonal variations. The entire landmass of the southwestern region is deltaic, low-lying and fluvially dominated, with a complex and varied landscape of mangrove forests, rice fields, ponds, lakes and river systems, subject to major seasonal changes with successive periods of monsoon flooding and winter drying. In its unmodified state, the abundance of water, the annual deposition of rich alluvial silts and extensive river and lake fisheries provided a very rich and productive environment, capable of supporting significant populations and producing a range of food and other natural resource based products. Greater population pressure has led to increased poaching and deforestation of the coastal forest, leading to reduced protection from cyclones and storm surges, and loss of biodiversity in forest species. Increasing food demands have led to more open areas of rice and other crop fields, and increasing urbanization is occurring as rural opportunities decrease. Key changes in recent decades have included the development of the Farakka barrage in India, which greatly reduced upstream river flows through the Ganges-Brahmaputra river system; development of major embankments; the obstruction of various channels and waterways due to road construction, minor embankments and diversions; and an increase in shrimp farming. These developments have resulted in reduced drainage, causing vast areas of the southwest to be waterlogged, and increasing saline intrusion from the Bay of Bengal due to reduced river flows. Natural disasters such as arsenic contamination of the shallow aquifer, floods, droughts, salinity intrusion, cyclones and storm surges represent key factors contributing to vulnerability in the southwest region33.

33 Information modified from RVCC Project Implementation Plan (PIP), July 2002.

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4.2.2 Environmental Change and Livelihoods People in the southwest are struggling to meet their basic needs and sustain their livelihoods in the context of increasing environmental degradation and natural disasters. Rural livelihoods are threatened by many adverse environmental conditions, including flooding, salinity, waterlogging and extreme weather, and these conditions are expected to be exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. These changes have severe consequences for household well-being, threatening access to safe water, challenging food security, and decreasing opportunities for sustainable economic development. Flooding can cause damage to crops, homes, and food stores, as well as causing death or injury to livestock and people. People in Bangladesh are quite resilient to flooding, as it is a fairly regular occurrence, however in recent years the frequency of the flooding has increased, and this increases people’s vulnerability, as they are less able to recover between flood events, and the impact on food and income security becomes more severe. With climate change, the frequency and intensity of the flooding is expected to increase, which will further challenge people’s ability to cope. Increasing salinity has a negative impact on food security as it decreases availability of productive land. Its impact on safe water is also significant, particularly in the context of arsenic contamination of the shallow aquifer, which has led to increasing dependence on surface water for drinking and household purposes. As salinity increases further inland, surface water becomes contaminated, and there is less water available for drinking. The agriculture problem is further exacerbated by a lack of fresh water for irrigation. Waterlogging affects large areas of RVCC’s target region, affecting people’s food and income security by significantly reducing land available for traditional agriculture and livestock rearing.

4.2.3 Environment-Related Results Achieved RVCC is at its core a project attempting to promote agricultural and livelihoods options that will be environmentally sustainable in the longer term context of climate change. However, beyond the expected results of the project a few other environment-related results have been achieved: One of the project’s target UPs has worked with its PNGO to promote hygiene and

sanitation in the community, and has achieved 100% sanitation34. Several UPs have undertaken tree planting initiatives. Many households are using compost from floating gardens in their homestead gardens

as an environmentally-friendly (and cost-effective) alternative to chemical fertilizers. Homestead tree plantation has been undertaken by many project households. It was found that providing alternatives reduced environmentally unsustainable coping

mechanisms such as illegal tree felling, fishing in the jungle, catching shrimp larvae, etc. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been promoted, particularly for floating gardens,

and 59 households are practicing IPM on their floating beds. Five Community-based Rainwater Harvesters have been constructed and are providing

safe water to 30 households. UPs are increasingly sensitized to environmental vulnerability in their constituency, and

have developed capacity to address these issues.

34 100% sanitation means that all members of the community have access to a latrine and are motivated to practice good hygiene.

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Target UPs are working with the Government of Bangladesh to achieve 100% sanitation in their communities.

The DPHE has committed to providing support in target communities for water and sanitation activities, including latrine construction and arsenic testing for well water.

There is scope within the project to integrate more environmentally-friendly practices, including the use of local varieties of vegetables and rice, Integrated Pest Management, organic farming, and tree plantation.

4.2.4 Challenges and Lessons Related to Environmental Sustainability The major lesson learned through the project was the need to take a holistic view of environmental sustainability throughout project implementation. Despite the fact that the project was attempting to help people to cope with environmental change, adjustments were required to some activities in order for them to be environmentally sound. As well, there was sometimes a lack of understanding among the partners as to how the adaptation measures linked with the vulnerability contexts being addressed, and in some cases the measures promoted were not the most appropriate choice for a particular context. In some cases, partners focused on one vulnerability context (for example, salinity), and failed to take into account others (for example, flood), which led to unsustainable practices in some situations and damage to crops and livestock in others. More effort should be made to promote a broader definition of sustainability (beyond the continuation of activities after the project ends) in order to have a project that is truly environmentally sound. Another important lesson was the importance of environmental assessment in ensuring sustainability of project interventions, particularly in the water sector. The drilling of deep tube wells and the construction of pond-sand-filters are considered projects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), and are therefore subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Screening (ES), respectively. Unfortunately the project staff were not aware of CEAA requirements, and two pond-sand-filters were constructed before the ES was conducted. The ES found that some adjustments were required in order for the filters to be a sustainable source of safe water for the target participants. The EIA process ensured that social issues had been dealt with, and that the wells were a feasible option for the area, particularly important in a region affected by arsenic contamination in the subsurface. In one case, it was found that a deep tube well was not feasible in that particular area, and so rainwater harvesting has been pursued as an alternative. The EIA and ES process was also an exercise in capacity development, as it was the first time it had been done in Bangladesh for a project of this type. NGO Forum, the organization contracted to undertake the assessments, found it to be a very positive learning experience, and this has led to further collaboration, with them providing training and technical assistance for other water-related aspects of the project. The partners are engaged in ongoing monitoring of the systems. The most significant challenge relating to environmental sustainability that was faced by the project was a lack of appropriate technical expertise on the project team in Bangladesh. The project found it difficult to find qualified candidates who were willing to move to Knulna, and so focused on other aspects of candidates’ experience during the recruitment process. As a result, environment and climate change issues were new to most of the field staff and partners, and this led to some difficulties in getting to a working level of understanding. The result was the sometimes narrow view of sustainability as described above, and also difficulties in developing scientifically accurate education and awareness materials for the project. This was addressed by engaging a local Technical Advisor and by recruiting a Program Officer with a background in environment, but this occurred later in the project, and the lack of technical expertise caused many challenges earlier on.

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5 Progress Towards Impacts and Sustainability The expected impacts of the project were: Vulnerable Bangladeshi communities understand and are better able to respond to

adverse climate change effects. Local organizations (NGOs and CBOs) are better able to understand and explain climate

change and have the skills and knowledge to advocate on climate change. Agencies of local and national government are sensitized to the need for strategic

interventions to enhance adaptation to climate change for vulnerable communities. Significant progress has been made towards achieving these impacts: There is strong evidence that the project’s target communities have enhanced understanding of climate change and have increased ability to cope with adverse environmental conditions. At the household level, people are making concrete changes that address current environmental challenges and will increase their resiliency in the context of climate change. Having a wider range of options to meet food needs and to sustain their livelihoods will undoubtedly improve people’s ability to respond to adverse climate change effects. If I hadn’t grown vegetables in hanging pots with RVCC, where would I get vegetables to feed my children now, when tidal water is flowing over my homestead and it is raining cats and dogs?

Mursheda Begum, RVCC Participant The partner organizations have greatly increased their knowledge of climate change, and have developed capacity in a number of other areas as well, including financial management, governance, and gender. Some partners report that they are mainstreaming climate change issues in their other programs. The advocacy campaign undertaken by the project, along with many local-level advocacy initiatives undertaken within other project components, clearly demonstrates the skills and knowledge of the partners to advocate on climate change. There is already evidence that this campaign will continue beyond the life of the project, as the campaign partners are organizing events independently, and working to establish linkages with like-minded organizations to take the issue forward. Successful adaptation to reduce vulnerability to climate change requires clear understanding and enhanced knowledge on the causes and adverse effects of climate change, climate variability, and adaptive measures.

Firoz Mallick, Team Leader, BCAS

Local-level government officials targeted by the project are increasingly aware of climate-related vulnerability issues and of the need for appropriate action to reduce vulnerability in their communities. In many cases, these actions have already been initiated. At regional and national levels, officials have demonstrated awareness of climate change issues, and are beginning to make concrete commitments to acting to mitigate the adverse effects. The RVCC Project activities and adaptation strategies have potential to increase household

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income and food security of vulnerable communities in the southwest region. My home district, Patuakhali, floods every year. Why isn’t this type of project being implemented there?

District Commissioner, Gopalganj The capacity development approach adopted by the project is designed to ensure sustainability of the initiative. However, the short timeline of the project, and the still shorter amount of time actually working “on the ground” means that there has been little time to institutionalize the approaches and knowledge that have been developed. There is concensus that more time is needed to build on the results achieved, promote organization at the household level and institutionalization at organizational levels, and to evaluate and refine the approach. Comments on sustainability of different components have been included throughout the report.

6 Challenges and Risks The major challenge faced by the RVCC Project was its short timeline. The expected results were extremely ambitious for the time allocated, and the fact that the project was piloting an approach meant that it was innovating on many fronts. A learning-by-doing approach was adopted to address the fact that there was not enough time to properly develop a methodology, and this has been successful, however, results could have been more extensive and more sustainable if more time was taken in the design phase. The project’s Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) did not accurately reflect the holistic nature of the approach taken, or the range of results that were achieved. This is likely due to the fact that the project approach was evolving over the course of implementation, but it has created some challenges in developing a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system and in reporting on results. On a related note, M&E was not integrated into the project design, and this resulted in an extremely cumbersome, complicated and quantitative system of data collection and analysis. This has been addressed somewhat through the addition of some

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participatory and comparative evaluation exercises at the end of the project, but it highlights the importance of a realistic and integrated M&E framework as part of the project design. The lack of technical expertise on the project team presented many challenges in implementation of project activities. As mentioned in section 4.2.4, the issues dealt with by the project were new to most of the project and partner staff, and it was difficult to develop adequate capacity to effectively integrate issues such as environmental sustainability, marketing and risk reduction into project activities. As well, the technical knowledge of climate change was limited, which led to challenges in developing training and awareness materials. Partners lacked technical expertise on water, gender, and environment. This was addressed through training and the provision of technical assistance, however project activities could have been much more effective if appropriate technical expertise were available within the RVCC team and partner NGOs. The fact that climate change is a slow process, with a longer-term timeline for seeing the impacts, has made it challenging to engage people to take action. People and institutions find it difficult to see it as an urgent issue in the face of so many other pressing priorities. This highlights the need for effective communication to ensure that the messages are relevant to the people they are trying to reach. Starting with the science of climate change has been found to be an ineffective approach. Any intervention needs to be founded on current issues that people and institutions are dealing with, and must seek a solution that will be sustainable in the longer-term context of climate change. Climate change is happening in Bangladesh, but as it is a slow process, we only react when a natural disaster occurs. Now RVCC is helping people to learn about the causes, effects and necessary adaptation measures. This is a great service to mankind.

Mr. Ashok Sadiq, MP, Former Minister of Education

The lack of capacity and resources of UPs presented a real challenge to achieving the desired result under this component. Consequently, the project undertook a series of training sessions with UPs in order to facilitate accomplishment of the expected results. Beyond the lack of capacity and resources, a number of other challenges have arisen in achieving results in this component. Firstly, it was decided in late 2003 to change the target UPs in order to better link activities at household and community levels35. This was an appropriate action to take, but delayed results In the UP work. As well, there were difficulties in engaging the UPs for several reasons, most notably: the project is not offering any financial support in return for the UPs’ involvement in the project; the UPs do not have resources to implement the plans once they develop them; and they have many conflicting priorities and demands raised by their constituencies. Within the awareness campaign, the major challenges related to the development of appropriate and scientifically accurate communication tools, and the lack of integration of awareness activities into other activities. In the LFA, reaching people with information was set out as a goal in itself, and partner NGOs were recruited accordingly, which led to weak integration of awareness activities into other activities. It is now recognized that the objective should not be to reach people with information, but to prompt action, and that awareness is one way of building a foundation for this action. With respect to tools development, the challenges encountered were a lack of technical understanding of climate change issues and the difficulty in communicating technical information in a way that is interesting and accessible to wider audiences. 35 At the same time as the target UPs were changed, the number of UPs being worked with increased from 6 to 14, based on previous working relationships established between PNGOs and UPs.

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Globally, the major risks to the project relate to the political situation in Bangladesh, and to natural disasters. The political situation in the country continues to be relatively unstable, with frequent strikes and periods of unrest. The situation is particularly critical in the southwest, where project and partner staff have been threatened, and people associated with the project (Khulna Press Club Presidents) have been killed by outlaws. This hampers project activities and can present security risks. Flexibility is required to deal with this situation, as well as awareness of current events. Some of the issues dealt with by RVCC can be controversial (for example, shrimp farming and access of the poor to common property areas), and this can create safety risks for people involved with the project. Natural disasters such as flooding and cyclones are an ongoing risk which needs to be considered in all aspects of project implementation, both in terms of the risk to project staff and activities, and in terms of the sustainability of activities in the context of frequent extreme events. 7 Major Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Future

Projects The learning by doing approach adopted by the RVCC Project resulted in a large amount of lessons that can be applied in designing other climate change adaptation projects, and/or projects in relevant areas that would like to take risks of climate change into account. Major lessons learned through the implementation of the RVCC pilot and recommendations for future work in this area are outlined below: Capacity development is a long-term process, and the project timeline was not long

enough to institutionalize sustainable adaptation strategies. This could be overcome by allowing projects to incorporate a design phase, planning projects on a longer term horizon, and by taking a more systematic approach to initiating work with different target groups.

Although attempts were made to integrate activities, the design of the first phase and the subsequent compartmentalization of activities under the four program outcomes led to weak horizontal linkages between activities. As well, it has been learned that raising awareness and/or communication messages should not be an end in itself, but should be incorporated into all activities to lay a foundation for action. Future work should endeavour to integrate activities in order to take a holistic approach to vulnerability reduction.

RVCC was extremely ambitious in terms of its target numbers and expected results, and in the wide number and variety of activities being undertaken by its partner organizations. In the future work, the project activities should be more focused, and should target one or two key areas of vulnerability as identified by the target groups. Adopting an integrated approach to implementation will improve efficiency and increase impact of project activities.

In some cases, the groups selected for project interventions did not meet the project’s criteria of working with the poorest and most vulnerable people in its target communities. In order to facilitate a quick start to activities in the field, it was decided that partner organizations would work with already-existing groups, and some of the members of these groups were later found to be relatively wealthy by local standards, and therefore not as vulnerable as poorer members of the community. This could be addressed in future projects through a community identification process for group selection.

RVCC’s emphasis on climate-related issues sometimes limited its ability to address other key factors contributing to vulnerability. It has become clear through implementation of

44

this project climate change is only one of many factors that challenge people’s ability to sustain their livelihoods. In future projects, flexibility should be built in to ensure that there is scope to address vulnerability in a holistic manner.

RVCC’s partner organizations had little expertise in areas beyond agriculture and income generation, and this limited results in other areas such as safe water and disaster risk reduction, which may have been more appropriate areas of focus to address climate-related vulnerability. RVCC’s partner organizations were selected before the Vulnerability Assessment was conducted, and were selected based on expertise in agriculture and/or income generating activities. During the Vulnerability Assessment, women’s groups prioritized water and health as their most important areas of well-being to be addressed. As the partners did not have expertise in these areas, they were not adequately addressed in the first phase of the project. This could be addressed by selecting partners with a wider range of expertise, including water, health, and gender, and by evaluating the capacity and contribution made by current partners before deciding whether to continue the partnership into the second phase.

Risk assessment and mitigation were not effectively integrated in project activities. The southwest region is highly political and prone to natural disasters, including cyclones and flooding. The risk that these situations pose to project activities was not adequately analyzed during project planning, and therefore mitigation measures were not effectively implemented. Risk assessment and mitigation must be central to the design of any future projects, and should be incorporated into all project activities36.

In order to facilitate a reduction in vulnerability to climate risks, it is also necessary to address disaster risk reduction in a holistic manner. Future projects could consider improving linkages with disaster risk reduction initiatives (e.g. the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP)) to ensure that climate-driven risks are included in this framework. As well, working with communities and local government is essential to effectively reducing risk of disasters, and future projects should work closely with the UP-level standing committees for disaster reduction in order to facilitate risk reduction. This should also involve linkages with government service providers and higher levels of government in a multi-level initiative.

There are positive implications of project activities at the household level, however to sustain accrual of benefits from the activities promoted, there is a need for increasing institutional facilitation. It should be recognized that the national policy regime, despite having some inconsistencies, is generally conducive to providing benefits to the poorest of the poor. However, due to poor governance at the level of local service providers, these benefits often do not reach the poorest. Therefore, it is recommended that communities must be empowered in order to engage them in governance processes and facilitate them to make the best use of the policy environment. There is also a need for more dialogue between government agencies, including service providers, and vulnerable communities, to facilitate a collaborative approach to addressing vulnerability. There should be increased emphasis in these areas in the future projects of this type, in line with CARE Bangladesh’s focus on rights-based approaches to programming.

The lessons learned through the RVCC Project provide an excellent foundation for the design of future community-level adaptation and livelihoods projects. 8 Conclusions The RVCC Project has successfully piloted an approach to reducing vulnerability to climate change. The project was innovative in its “vulnerability first” approach, making it different from the majority of climate change projects which tend to start with scientific studies or models. 36 The Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project: Reflecting on Lessons Learned, April 2005, summarized in RVCC Phase 2 Concept Paper.

45

Despite the short timeline, the project has achieved some impressive results. However, more time is needed to evaluate the adaptation measures and extension methodology, institutionalize the approaches, and to ensure the sustainability of the activities. The positive impact of the project is evident in the capacity developed by the partner organizations, the enthusiasm of the UPs in tackling climate-related vulnerability in their constituencies, and the smiles on the faces of project participants.

46

TABLES

47

Table 1: Classroom Training Sessions Offered to Household-Level Group Leaders and Advanced Group Members over Life of Project37

Number of Participants Cumulative Total Strategy Measure

F M Total Drought-resistant crops/vegetables 23 56 79 Embankment cropping 40 55 95 Floating gardens 42 58 100 Homestead gardening 164 109 273 Low-cost irrigation 8 12 20

Increase food through agriculture

Saline-tolerant non-rice crops 80 46 126 Apiculture & honey processing 76 41 117 Cage aquaculture 70 28 98 Cattle rearing 79 48 127 Cottage industries 72 14 86 Crab fattening 70 81 151 Duck rearing 149 128 277 Duck and poultry rearing 210 30 240 Goat rearing 34 29 63 Mele cultivation 90 65 155 Nursery & homestead afforestation 36 48 84 Pig rearing 16 14 30 Poultry rearing 91 52 143 Prawn fish poly-culture 77 27 104 Saline-tolerant tree plantation 34 14 48

Increase income through alternative livelihoods

Shrimp fish poly-culture 10 20 30 Increase food availability/ storage

Improvement of food storage

8 12 20 Improvement of hygiene and sanitation 16 16 32 Improve health and

personal safety Protection against cyclones 7 8 15 Increase access to safe water

Safe water & sanitation

17 13 30 Storm resistant housing 0 Improve safety of

housing and other property

Wind break tree plantation 20 0 20

Total 1539 1024 2563

37 Note that some individuals attended classroom training on more than one topic.

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Table 2: Learning Sessions Offered to Household-Level Group Members over Life of Project38

Number of Participants

July 2003-June 2004

July 2004- December

2004

January 2005-

March 2005 April 2005-March 2006 Cumulative Total

Strategy Measure F M F M F M F M F M Total Drought-resistant crops/vegetables 1 11 0 228 10 74 0 0 11 313 324Floating gardens 46 32 596 560 198 200 87 90 927 882 1809Homestead gardening 397 135 2053 1587 1311 824 4238 1886 7999 4432 ####Low-cost irrigation 112 104 24 29 29 141 157 298

Increase food through agriculture

Saline-tolerant non-rice crops 14 10 36 0 110 0 750 106 910 116 1026Apiculture & honey processing 45 18 6 476 513 251 0 778 531 1309Cage aquaculture 39 32 867 418 84 112 103 134 1093 696 1789Cattle rearing 49 85 160 272 280 364 341 556 830 1277 2107Cottage industries 14 8 14 0 221 214 8 463 16 479Crab fattening 95 64 245 215 270 159 1482 1018 2092 1456 3548Duck rearing 222 115 425 267 430 401 1355 1364 2432 2147 4579Duck and poultry rearing 108 49 12 4 0 0 291 11 411 64 475Goat rearing 45 44 296 305 309 261 413 261 1063 871 1934Mele cultivation 85 29 241 327 30 0 186 83 542 439 981Nursery & homestead afforestation 29 22 0 49 118 60 0 26 147 157 304Pig rearing 35 33 185 195 110 101 204 331 534 660 1194Poultry rearing 135 73 680 473 297 332 1434 648 2546 1526 4072Prawn fish poly-culture 164 51 909 344 0 0 735 893 1808 1288 3096Saline-tolerant tree plantation 39 12 329 152 0 0 1083 394 1451 558 2009

Increase income through alternative livelihoods

Shrimp fish poly-culture 28 30 9 7 0 0 0 19 37 56 93

Increase food availability/ storage

Improvement of food storage

0 0 0 0 0 24 97 75 97 99 196Improvement of hygiene and sanitation 31 17 0 0 0 0 0 21 31 38 69

Improve health and personal safety Protection

against cyclones 9 10 99 26 58 64 512 345 678 445 1123Increase access to safe water

Safe water & sanitation

4 4 34 30 252 210 407 130 697 374 1071

38 Note that many individuals attended learning sessions on more than one topic.

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Storm resistant housing

0 0 0 0 314 114 1077 481 1391 595 1986

Improve safety of housing and other property Wind break tree

plantation 12 0 0 0 0 25 12 25 37Total 1634 884 7320 5563 4878 3837 15289 8934 29121 19218 48339

50

Table 3: Participation in Cross Visits by Household-Level Group Members over Life of Project39

Number of Participants

July 2003- June 2004

July 2004- December

2004

January 2005-

March 2006

Cumulative TotalStrategy Measure

F M F M F M F M Total Floating gardens 113 86 21 19 0 0 134 105 239Homestead gardening 51 48 0 0 0 0 51 48 99

Increase food through agriculture Low-cost irrigation 8 12 0 0 0 0 8 12 20

Apiculture & honey processing 11 29 40 0 0 0 51 29 80Cage aquaculture 29 24 35 42 0 0 64 66 130Cattle and goat rearing 40 10 0 0 40 10 50Cottage industries 36 14 77 0 0 0 113 14 127Crab fattening 71 75 20 14 9 31 100 120 220Duck rearing 20 20 83 0 103 20 123Duck and poultry rearing 69 29 0 0 69 29 98Embankment cropping 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Goat rearing 0 0 65 35 65 35 100Mele cultivation 77 78 0 0 15 23 92 101 193Nursery & homestead afforestation 8 16 40 0 48 16 64Pig rearing 0 19 0 0 0 19 19Poultry rearing 25 15 40 0 48 12 113 27 140Prawn fish poly-culture 0 0 8 12 8 12 20Saline-tolerant tree plantation 18 20 0 0 18 20 38

Increase income through alternative livelihoods

Shrimp fish poly-culture0 0 9 8 9 8 17

Increase access to safe water

Safe water & sanitation

18 19 0 0 18 19 37Total 594 514 438 130 43 65 1075 709 1784

39 Note that some group members participated in more than one cross visit.

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Table 4: Demonstration Plots Established over Life of Project

Number of Plots Established

Strategy Measure July 2003-June 2004

July 2004-December

2004

January 2005- March

2005 Cumulative

Total

Floating gardens 30 16 0 46 Homestead gardening 56 0 0 56 Low-cost irrigation 0 0 2

Increase food through agriculture

Saline-tolerant non-rice crops 82 0 0 82 Apiculture & honey processing 17 0 4 21 Cage aquaculture 24 22 0 46 Cattle rearing 10 0 0 10 Crab fattening 64 4 0 68 Duck rearing 20 8 0 28 Fodder cultivation 12 3 0 15 Goat rearing 34 0 0 34 Mele cultivation 34 1 0 35 Nursery & homestead afforestation 6 4 0 10 Pig rearing 6 0 0 6 Poultry rearing 17 0 0 17

Increase income through alternative livelihoods

Prawn fish poly-culture 4 4 0 8 Improve safety of housing

Storm-resistant housing 0 0 26 26

Total 416 62 32 510

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Table 5: Training Offered for UPs Over the Life of the Project40

Number of Participants

District Name of Upazila

Name of UP Topic of Training

Female Male TotalCivil society and good governance 11 13 24

Overview on climate change 4 24 28

Participatory planning 4 24 28

Participatory planning training for female UP members

5 0 5

Quarterly sharing session with UP climate change committee

13 14 27

Refresher on Climate Change 13 16 29

Resource Mapping 13 18 31

Training on vision and mission formation for the UP

3 21 24

Workshop with UP & civil society for issue identification

1 16 17

Bahirdia

Cross visit to successful UP 1 1 2

Civil society and good governance 13 12 25

Overview on climate change 3 26 29

Participatory planning for UPs 11 16 27

Participatory planning training for female UP members

2 0 2

Quarterly sharing session with UP climate change committee

16 12 28

Refresher on Climate Change 15 14 29Resource Mapping 13 19 32Training on vision and mission formation for the UP

6 12 18

Workshop with UP & civil society for issue identification

5 8 13

Fakirhat

Cross visit to successful UP 1 1 2

Civil society and good governance 13 11 24Training on vision and mission formation for the UP

10 17 27

Overview on climate change 6 22 28Participatory planning for UPs 9 20 29Participatory planning training for female UP members

4 0 4

Quarterly sharing session with UP climate change committee

11 16 27

Refresher on Climate Change 14 15 29

Bagerhat Fakirhat

Mulghar

Resource Mapping 16 16 32

40 Shaded cells indicate training offered in January-March 2005.

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Number of Participants

District Name of Upazila

Name of UP Topic of Training

Female Male TotalWorkshop with UP & civil society for issue identification

5 8 13

Cross visit to successful UP 1 1 2

Civil society and good governance 11 12 23Overview on climate change 4 21 25Participatory planning for UPs 10 18 28Participatory planning training for female UP members

4 0 4

Quarterly sharing session with UP climate change committee

10 18 28

Refresher on Climate Change 14 14 28Resource Mapping and PRA 13 17 30Training on vision and mission formation for the UP

6 15 21

Workshop with UP & civil society for issue identification

7 8 15

Nalda-Moubhog

Cross visit to successful UP 0 2 2

Climate Change overview 3 11 14Participatory planning 6 23 29Civil society and good governance 6 15 21Resource Mapping and PRA 8 16 24Role and responsibility training 5 16 21Standing committee meeting 2 8 10Training on gender 5 16 21Training on vision and mission formation for the UP

5 16 21

Baharbunia

Workshop on potable water 6 17 23Civil society and good governance 6 15 21Climate Change overview 3 11 14Participatory planning 6 23 29Gender and vision and mission 6 15 21Resource Mapping and PRA 8 16 24Standing committee meeting 2 8 10Training on role and responsibility of UP 6 15 21

Geodhara

Workshop on potable water 6 17 23Civil society and good governance 6 15 21Climate Change overview 3 11 14Participatory planning 6 23 29Climate Change overview 3 11 14Participatory planning 6 23 29Gender and vision and mission 6 15 21Resource Mapping and PRA 9 17 26Standing committee meeting 2 8 10Training on role and responsibility of UP 6 15 21

Khaulia

Workshop on potable water 6 17 23

Morelgonj

Morelgonj Civil society and good governance 6 15 21

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Number of Participants

District Name of Upazila

Name of UP Topic of Training

Female Male TotalClimate Change overview 3 11 14Participatory planning 7 24 31Resource Mapping and PRA 8 16 24Role and responsibility training 5 16 21Standing committee meeting 2 8 10Training on gender 5 16 21Training on vision and mission formation for the UP

5 16 21

Workshop on potable water 6 17 23Civil society and good governance 6 15 21Climate Change overview 3 11 14Participatory planning 7 24 31Gender and vision and mission 6 15 21Resource Mapping and PRA 8 16 24Standing committee meeting 2 8 10Training on roles and responsibility of UP 5 16 21

Dhansagar

Workshop on potable water 6 17 23Civil society and good governance 6 15 21Climate Change overview 3 11 14Participatory planning 7 24 31Gender and vision and mission 6 15 21Resource Mapping and PRA 8 16 24Standing committee meeting 2 8 10Training on roles and responsibility of UP 6 15 21

Sarankhola

Khontakata

Workshop on potable water 6 17 23One day workshop on Climate Change 7 23 30Dialogue between UP, BWDB and civil society 0

10 10

Overview on climate change to CC committee 12 19 31Training on good governance and gender issues 8

20 28

Training on participatory planning for UP members 8

19 27

Training on participatory planning for female UP members 5

0 5

Training on vision mission formulation of the UP 7

23 30

Training/workshop on Resource Mapping 11 18 29

Sagardari

Workshop on preparation of participatory planning 8

22 30

Day long workshop on Climate Change 8 21 29Dialogue between UP, BWDB and civil society 2

6 8

Overview on climate change to CC committee 9 19 28Training on good governance and gender issues 7

22 29

Training on participatory planning for UP members 8

22 30

Jessore Keshabpur

Trimohini

Training on participatory planning for female UP members 5

0 5

55

Number of Participants

District Name of Upazila

Name of UP Topic of Training

Female Male TotalTraining on vision and mission formulation of the UP 6

22 28

Training/workshop on Resource Mapping 11 19 30Workshop on preparation of participatory planning 8

21 29

Gender and development 10 35 45Overview on climate change issues at the UP level

11 35 46

Overview on climate change issues at the ward level

5 31 36

Participatory planning 4 20 24Resource Mapping 16 14 30Role and responsibility of UP and good governance

5 19 24

Kulia

Vision and mission formulation 6 15 21Gender and development 3 42 45Overview on climate change issue at the UP level

3 43 46

Overview on climate change issue at the ward level

6 33 39

Participatory planning 4 21 25Resource Mapping 13 18 31

Satkhira Debhata

Parulia

Roles, responsibility of UP and good governance

4 18 22

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Table 6: Number of Individuals Implementing Adaptation Measures over Life of Project41

Number of Individuals Implementing

(Life of Project Total) Strategy Measure

F M Total Drought-resistant crops/vegetables 4 42 46Embankment cropping 137 158 295Floating gardens 191 118 309Homestead gardening 2504 1498 4002

Increase food through agriculture

Saline-tolerant non-rice crops 162 160 322Total for Strategy 2998 1976 4974

Apiculture & honey processing 16 19 35Cage aquaculture 23 26 49Cattle rearing 341 216 557Cottage industries 686 342 1028Crab fattening 109 105 214Drought-resistant tree plantation 111 159 270Duck rearing 1188 728 1916Fodder cultivation 16 25 41Goat rearing 387 157 544Mele cultivation 113 88 201Nursery & homestead afforestation 18 7 25Pig rearing 12 10 22Poultry rearing 1539 626 2165Prawn fish poly-culture 269 270 539Saline-tolerant tree plantation 1308 994 2302

Increase income through alternative livelihoods

Shrimp fish poly-culture 125 158 283Total for Strategy 6274 3930 10204

Increase food availability/storage Food storage 11 6 17

Total for Strategy 11 6 17Improve safety of housing and other property

Wind break tree plantation 110 0 110

Total for Strategy 110 0 110TOTAL 9393 5912 15305

41 Note that many individuals are implementing more than one measure, and that in some cases, both male and female members of a household may be participating in the project.

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Table 7: Water Systems Implemented over Life of Project

Type of Water System Number of Systems

Implemented

Number of RVCC

Households Benefiting

Number of Other

Households Benefiting

Deep Tube Well 5 155 340 Rainwater Harvesting System 8 36 0 Pond-Sand-Filter 2 120 220 Community Pond Protection 5 20 42 TOTAL 20 331 602

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Table 8: Implementation of Measures by Secondary Adopters

Number of Individuals

Implementing (Life of Project Total)

Strategy Measure

F M

Number of Households

Drought-resistant crops/vegetables 14 5 19Floating gardens 20 31 51Homestead gardening 433 297 730

Increase food through agriculture

Saline-tolerant non-rice crops 64 53 117Total for Strategy 531 386 917

Apiculture & honey processing4 2 6

Cage aquaculture 2 3 5Cattle rearing 33 43 76Cottage industries 92 3 95Crab fattening 18 51 69Duck rearing 197 63 260Goat rearing 58 17 75Mele cultivation 18 23 41Pig rearing 2 4 6Poultry rearing 318 63 381Prawn fish poly-culture 12 37 49

Increase income through alternative livelihoods

Saline-tolerant tree plantation 309 306 615Total for Strategy 1063 615 1678

Increase food availability/storage

Food storage

0 15 15Total for Strategy 0 15 15

Improve health and personal safety

Sanitary latrine construction 0 159 159

Total for Strategy 0 159 159Wind break tree plantation

45 40 85

Improve safety of housing and other property

Storm resistant housing

0 12 12Total for Strategy 45 52 97

TOTAL 1639 1227 2866

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Table 9: Number of Persons Exposed to Awareness Messages over Life of Project

Number of People Attending Events/Receiving Documents July 2003-June

2004 July 2004-

December 2004January 2005-

March 2005 April 2005-February

2006 Cumulative Total Awareness Activity

Target Audience F M F M F M F M F M Total

Community Awareness Activities Court Yard Session

Community People 2144 1481 2012 2334 2474 3154 0 0 6630 6969 13599

Credit Group Session

NGO group members 4669 0 2147 0 2007 0 2322 0 11145 0 11145

Eco-Club Village Session

Community People

2636 4621 2637 4016 2361 2842 2790 3734 10424 15213 25637School Program on Climate Change Class Session

Students 0 0 7137 6204 1897 2125 0 0 9034 8329 17363

Teachers Training/ Refreshers

Secondary School/Madrasa Teachers

9 70 17 103 0 0 0 0 26 173 199Librarian Training

School/Madrasa Librarians

0 0 2 48 0 0 0 0 2 48 50Awareness of UPs Climate Change Vulnerability Session to UPs

UP Representatives

18 66 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 66 84Workshop at UP Level

UP Representatives, Community Leader, NGO, GO 39 141 5 16 58 232 276 480 378 869 1247

Cultural Activities for Awareness Pot Song and Drama

Mass people 72670 134340 4450 7750 13750 22000 0 0 90870 164090 254960

Grassroots Theatre Group Development

Local Theatre Worker

110 285 0 0 0 0 0 0 110 285 395Press Show of Grassroots Theatre Group

Mass People

4195 10966 0 0 0 0 0 0 4195 10966 15161Village Meeting and Cultural Show (Eco-Clubs)

UP Chairman, Members, CBO Leaders, Villagers

7925 15325 0 11 3635 6255 450 1550 12010 23141 35151Linkages with Other Institutions Press Conference

Journalists 2 19 1 12 2 12 12 45 17 88 105

GO-NGO Coordination Meeting

GO-NGO staff

11 132 8 52 3 26 0 0 22 210 232CCC Meeting CBO Leaders

2 8 1 16 2 8 11 23 16 55 71UCC Meeting CBO Leaders

10 98 10 128 20 160 9 46 49 432 481

60

Round table discussion

Local level policy players/ NGO representatives 20 59 7 27 15 43 0 0 42 129 171

Awareness for Advocacy on Safe Drinking Water Drama Mass People

4530 6820 2100 4600 6879 8121 409 801 13918 20342 34260Solo Folk Song

Mass People 4590 5680 1220 2200 12872 11228 550 3000 19232 22108 41340

School Orientation

Students, SMC, Teacher

632 804 310 2167 0 0 1000 1500 1942 4471 6413Press Conference

Journalists 0 30 0 0 0 58 0 0 0 88 88

District Seminar on Drinking Water and Policy Response

Civil Society, Politicians, Government Officials, NGOs

0 20 500 700 20 194 0 0 520 914 1434Journalist Orientation

Journalists 0 26 0 0 10 153 0 0 10 179 189

National-level Roundtable Discussion

Policy-makers

0 0 0 0 14 64 0 0 14 64 78Documents Distributed Booklets Educated

audience 60000

Leaflet Mass people 13000

Brochure NGO, GO staff, students, researchers

4500Newsletters NGO, GO

staff, students, researchers

11500Information Package

NGOs, school libraries, government agencies 150

Other Awareness Activities Special Day Observances

UPs, local-level policy-makers, journalists, mass people

9000Radio Program

Mass people 500000

Media Campaign

Mass people 45000

TOTAL 104212 180991 22564 30384 46019 56675 7829 11179 180624 279229 1103003

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Table 10: Logical Framework Analysis (revised June 2003) NARRATIVE SUMMARY

EXPECTED RESULTS PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

ASSUMPTIONS / RISK INDICATORS

Project Goal (Program Objective)

Impact Performance Indicators Assumptions /Risk Indicators

To contribute to the CCCDF (Canada Climate Change Development Fund) adaptation program by increasing the capacity of Bangladeshi communities in the southwest to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

Vulnerable Bangladeshi communities understand and are better able to respond to adverse climate change effects (Outcomes 1 and 2). Local organizations (NGOs and CBOs) are better able to understand and explain climate change and have the skills and knowledge to advocate on climate change (Outcome 3) Agencies of local and national government are sensitized to the need for strategic interventions to enhance adaptation to climate change for vulnerable communities (Outcomes 2, 3 and 4).

Sustainable adaptive measures are consistently used in community socio-economic and environmental strategies and household livelihood strategies. Climate change adaptation measures sensitive to local concerns are incorporated into policy and decision-making at the local and national planning levels of government.

Assumption: Government and communities have the capacity, time and orientation necessary to incorporate climate change implications into their decision making. Risk Indicator: Medium. Government Capacity in Bangladesh is limited. Community capacity to respond is less than its capacity to understand and plan for climate change initiatives Project must also link to other key initiatives: UBINIG (Policy Research for Development Alternatives), EMIN (Environmental Monitoring Information Network).

Project Purpose Outcomes Performance Indicators Assumptions/Risk Indicators Communities and institutions in the southwest region demonstrate capacity to: raise awareness on climate change; reduce climate change-induced vulnerabilities; and, influence relevant policy.

Vulnerable households demonstrate improved capacity to innovate in their livelihood strategies, reducing vulnerability to climate change (Output 1.1). Communities demonstrate increased capacity to develop and implement community-level adaptation strategies (Output 2.1). Local partners demonstrate increased capacity to collect and disseminate information related to climate change, and to advocate with the government on climate change (Outputs 3.1 and 3.2). Project partners interact regularly with national-level climate change

Households vulnerable to climate change seek out, test, adapt and adopt ideas and practices that strengthen their livelihoods (Outcome 1) Communities are sensitized to the general potential socio-economic and environmental impacts of climate change and are actively engaged in planning and implementing activities designed to counteract or capitalize on these potential impacts.(Outcome 2) Partner organizations provide accurate and timely information on local and national climate

Assumption : New ideas and practices exist that the project can link participants to in order to build household capacities to innovate. Risk Indicator: Medium. While not extensive, there are ideas associated with various responding to potential impacts of climate change, i.e., waterlogging, salinity, flooding, and cyclone, that are accessible. Assumption: Communities have the necessary social capital to build upon to understand and plan climate change initiatives. Risk Indicator: Medium. Union Parishads as well as other formal or informal groups already exist at the community-level in most areas of Bangladesh. Assumption: Accurate information about the potential impact of climate change on Bangladesh exists.

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stakeholders on policy advocacy issues. (Output 4.1). An efficiently and effectively managed project (Outputs 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3)

change issues through presentations, literature, community meetings, conferences, programmes or workshops (Outcome 3) Partner organizations are able to plan and implement advocacy campaigns on issues associated with climate change (Outcome 3) Partner organizations are aware of and work with other organizations and institutions nationally and internationally on climate change issues. (Outcome 4)

Risk Indicator: Medium. Bangladesh is prone to many of the potential impacts of climate change and a number of current environmental problems may be exacerbated by climate change. Assumption: NGOs have the influence and status, knowledge and skills to affect change at the government and community levels. Risk Indicator: Low for NGOs’ influence at community level, Medium for NGOs’ influence on government. Partner NGOs have been involved in community level work successfully in the past. However, there is a degree of suspicion between NGOs and some government departments.

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Resources Outputs Performance Indicators Assumptions/Risk Indicators 1.1 Livelihood strategies for 4,300

households are made more responsive to climate change through activities implemented by project partners (Outcome 1)

Percentage of participating households with new income sources identified as a result of project activities Percentage of households with new livelihood activities identified as a result of project activities.

Assumption: Participation of beneficiaries is not affected by occurrence of natural disasters such as severe flooding or cyclone. Risk Indicator: Medium. Region has a history of flooding and being affected by cyclones. Assumption: Education levels and health status of participants does not limit their participation. Risk Indicator: Low for education. Activities will be varied and tailored to low literacy rates. Medium for health. Extensive poverty throughout the region limits ability of rural poor to maintain good health.

2.1 Capacities of Union Parishads and community leaders in 6 communities to plan and implement long-term adaptation strategies and short-term action plans for their constituencies is increased (Outcome 2)

6 Union Parishads and community leaders have developed adaptation plans and begun implementing the plans.

Assumption: Project activities can compete effectively with other demands on UPs and community leaders. Risk Indicator: High. Other projects have given funds to UPs, but RVCC Project will not. Assumption: Support from government institutions (Dept. of Fisheries, Dept. of Agricultural Extension) is available. Risk Indicator: Medium. Government capacity is limited.

3.1 In collaboration with a local NGO, a common advocacy issue related to climate change is identified and a joint advocacy campaign undertaken (Outcome 3)

An advocacy campaign planned and undertaken with a local NGO.

Assumption: Government continues to allow organizations to mount advocacy campaigns. Risk Indicator: Low to medium. Current government has exhibited tolerance to advocacy efforts by organizations.

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3.2 One million people living in the southwest have been exposed to climate change messages in awareness campaigns implemented by partners. (Outcome 3)

1 million people reached with information on climate change.

Assumption: Sufficient forms of media exist to enable project partners to reach large numbers of persons in a relatively short time. Risk Indicator: Low. Two of the three partner NGOs implementing activities related to this output are relatively well-established with experience and connections with various forms of media.

4.1 At least one significant policy issue associated with climate change in the southwest targeted by the project in a national-level advocacy campaign, involving project partners and other allies for climate change adaptation (Outcome 4)

An advocacy campaign involving most project partners is planned and coordinated by RVCC and key national-level climate change activist organizations.

Assumption: National actors are interested in receiving input from the local level on climate change adaptation needs. Risk Indicator: Low. Discussions with national level actors indicates a keen interest in working with CARE and in developing linkages to improve their understanding of community adaptation needs. Prevailing international political climate and likely financial resources available for this type of work has focused the minds of research actors at the national level.

5.1 Project staff provide effective support to project partners and project beneficiaries (Outcome 5)

Project partners practice sound financial management, and incorporate gender and development (GAD) and good governance into their activities.

5.2 Quality control, including monitoring and evaluation system developed and implemented for partners, UPs and project (Outcome 5)

A monitoring and evaluation system and MIS system developed and implemented by partners, UPs and project.

5.3 Efficient and effective project implementation, including reporting and dissemination (Outcome 5)

Reports, including financial reports, prepared accurately and timely.

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Inputs and Resources

Activities Performance Indicators

Using a group-based approach, project partners identify and implement activities to diversify household sustainable livelihoods (corresponds to Output 1.1)

Members (males and females) from 4,300 households across six districts in the Southwest are trained by partners in innovative livelihood strategies by the end of March 2005; 75% of participating households have new income sources as a result of project activities; 75% of participating households practice at least 2 new livelihood strategies related to climate change by end of March 2005.

Research institutions are linked with project partners and target beneficiaries in order to disseminate research findings relevant to reducing people’s vulnerability to climate change (corresponds to Output 1.1)

Linkages are established and maintained between research organizations and project partners; Research findings are disseminated to 4,300 households across six districts; 75% of participating households experiment with a new technology promoted by a research organization.

Union Parishads and community leaders assisted to plan and implement long-term adaptation strategies and short-term action plans, including monitoring and evaluation (corresponds with Output 2.1)

Training workshops/field visits with 6 Union Parishads and community leaders to build their capacity completed by June 2004; 6 UPs prepare long-term adaptation strategies and short-term action plans by June 2003; 4 UPs begin to implement short-term action plans by December 2003.

RVCC staff work with staff from a local NGO to learn from its experiences in the field. Advocacy issue related to climate change is identified. Advocacy campaign is developed and implemented (corresponds to Output 3.1)

Lessons learned to date by organizations active in environmental advocacy are documented by October 2002; Rights-based analysis of a vulnerability context is completed by June 2003; Advocacy campaign developed and implemented by December 2003; Public awareness of advocacy issue is raised via variety of communication strategies by June 2004; Beneficiaries gain a climate change-related right by December 2004; Lessons learned are documented and shared with other rights-based organizations by March 2005.

Local organizations are trained on climate change issues and possible coping strategies (corresponds with Output 3.1)

Workshops/field visits conducted with x CBOs/NGOs/research organizations by the end of December 2004; Linkages established and maintained between local organizations and national and international environmental organizations, such as IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and SPARRSO (Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization).

A central information center (CIC) is maintained and strengthened in the southwest region (corresponds to Output 3.2)

Regular usage of the CIC is verified via regularly maintained records; Web site for the CIC is improved and regularly updated; Information is exchanged between the CIC and organizations within the region via regular information sheets/newsletters produced by the CIC.

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Disseminate information on climate change via campaigns consisting of multiple channels of communication (radio show, pamphlets, posters, pot songs, fairs, drama and TV) (corresponds to Output 3.2)

Information campaigns reaching 1 million persons throughout the Southwest completed by the end of March 2005; % of persons in the region who can recall and explain campaign messages.

Develop a module on climate change issues for use in the formal school system (corresponds to Output 3.2)

Curriculum material on climate change issues developed, field tested and revised by December 2003; X teachers from X schools within the southwest region are trained on use of climate change curriculum by June 2004; 75% of teachers trained on climate change curriculum use the material in the classroom by January 2005.

A national-level advocacy campaign is implemented, targeting a rights issue associated with climate change in the southwest is implemented (corresponds to Output 4.1)

75% of project partners trained on human rights and advocacy by end of June 2004; Targeted policy issue receives national media coverage by December 2004; Targeted policy issue is discussed in Parliament and action taken to revise the legislation and regulations by March 2005.

Project experience is shared via national and international seminars/conferences (corresponds to Output 4.1)

1 local organization representative and 1 project staff person attend an international conference and give a presentation, in 2003, 2004 and 2005; At least 1 representative from a local organization and 1 project staff person is invited to all national conferences on climate change issues held from 2003 onwards.

Project staff provide support to project partners and beneficiaries (corresponds to Output 5.1)

Sound management of project funds by partners and project staff. Partner staff receive training as required. Gender and development (GAD) and good governance incorporated into activities of project partners and UPs.

Partners and Union Parishads assisted to develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation system (corresponds to Output 5.2)

Baseline and KAB (Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior) survey developed and implemented, and repeated at end of the project. MIS system developed and implemented for partners, UPs and project. Quarterly PNGO coordination meetings held and lessons learned shared.

Project, partners and UPs prepare quarterly and annual reports (corresponds to Output 5.3)

Quarterly and annual reports submitted by project, partners and UPs.

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Table 11: Project Management Structure

CIDA Development Officers (Dhaka and Gatineau) CARE Canada Programme Manager (Ottawa)

Project Advisory Committee

CARE Bangladesh Rights and Social Justice Coordinator Project Coordinator

Advocacy Coordinator

Partnership Coordinator

Technical Coordinator

Project Development Officer – Finance and Administration

Program Officer

Project Development Officer – Media & Communications

Project Development Officers – Partner Support (2)

Project Development Officer – Monitoring & Evaluation

Administrative Assistant

Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS)

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)

Dak Diye Jai (DDJ)

Gono Milon Kendra (GMK)

Nabolok

Coastal Development Partnership (CDP)

Gono Unnayan Sangstha (GUS)

Prodipan

An Organizations for Socio- Economic Development (AOSED)

Institute of Development Education for Advancement of Landless (IDEAL)

Wetland Resource Development Society (WRDS)

Rupantar

Sushilan

Uttaran Samadhan

Partner NGOs

Satkhira Unnayan Sangstha (SUS)