As Bangladesh continues to experience the severe impacts of climate change, it is crucial to explore effective strategies for building local community resilience. During my recent learning exchange visit to the Philippines, I gained important insights into models that could be adapted to the Bangladeshi context.
Among the key areas of learning were the decentralized financing mechanism of the People’s Survival Fund (PSF), collaborative models involving the Church, government, and NGOs, and the role of faith-based networks in community mobilization.
Need for oversight
The PSF in the Philippines serves as a national mechanism that provides direct financial support to local governments and civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement climate change adaptation projects. This approach allows local actors to design and execute context-specific initiatives based on their unique vulnerabilities and needs.
In contrast, in Bangladesh, access to climate adaptation financing remains largely centralized and bureaucratic, often limiting the scope for timely local action. Establishing a similar decentralized climate adaptation fund, potentially under the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF) or aligned with the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, could enable Union Parishads and local CSOs to develop and implement targeted climate resilience projects efficiently and effectively.
However, an appropriate transparency and accountability framework is essential to ensure the effective utilization of funds.
The power of partnerships
Another important lesson from the Philippines is the value of structured collaboration among faith-based institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The example of Caritas Village in Boljoon, Cebu -- where Church-donated land, Caritas Philippines (an NGO) constructed houses, and local government offices developed access roads and provided water and electricity connections -- demonstrated how coordinated efforts across sectors can ensure sustainable community rehabilitation and development.
In the Bangladeshi context, a similar model of collaboration could be promoted by building formal partnerships among Union Parishads, NGOs, local volunteers, Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) volunteers, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) volunteers, and religious networks to jointly plan and implement disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate adaptation initiatives.
Faith-led outreach
The third critical learning relates to the active role of the Church in the Philippines in raising awareness and mobilizing local communities around climate change issues. Through sermons, education, and advocacy campaigns, faith leaders played a significant role in informing communities about climate-related risks and promoting proactive adaptation measures.
In Bangladesh, mosques similarly occupy a central place in community life. Engaging imams and mosque-based networks in community awareness programs could be an effective strategy for enhancing public understanding of disaster risk reduction (DRR), early warning systems, and climate change impacts.
Tailored training programs and resource materials could further support religious leaders and local community volunteers in disseminating accurate information and encouraging positive behavioural change at the grassroots level.
Proposals for improvement
Based on the key observations from the learning exchange visit to the Philippines, the following recommendations are proposed for consideration in the Bangladesh context:
- A dedicated funding mechanism, modeled after the PSF of the Philippines, could be developed to finance climate resilience initiatives led by Union Parishads, local civil society organizations (CSOs), and local volunteers. The funds could be allocated from a specific portion of the national budget, with flexibility for adjustments based on assessed needs.
To ensure transparency, accountability, and effective utilization, a structured due diligence process should be introduced for accessing the fund. Additionally, establishing a centralized and inclusive data management system, a monitoring framework, and a clear communication strategy regarding the funding opportunities would be important to maximize its reach and impact.
- Promoting formalized partnerships among local government bodies, non-governmental organizations, religious institutions/private sectors, local community volunteers and clubs would enhance the planning and delivery of community-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate adaptation initiatives.
Such collaboration would be particularly valuable in managing resettlement efforts following disasters and climate-induced displacement. To facilitate timely and efficient action, streamlining administrative procedures at the local level would be essential.
Faith leaders, particularly imams and mosque committees, could play a significant role in disseminating information on climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness. The use of mosque loudspeakers for early warning announcements and the integration of brief, targeted messages into weekly or monthly religious gatherings could contribute to increased community awareness and engagement.
Providing orientation and capacity-building opportunities for religious leaders and local volunteers would support the effective delivery of these messages.
These approaches, if implemented effectively, could further strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity to build resilient communities capable of withstanding the growing threats posed by climate change. By drawing from successful models observed in the Philippines, Bangladesh has the opportunity to enhance its adaptation strategies through inclusive, community-centred, and collaborative action.
Inmanuel Chayan Biswas, Program Officer -- Disaster Management (DM), Caritas Bangladesh.
