climate change resilience
Baseline Study Report Adaptation in Ecologically Critical Areas in Bangladesh (AECAB)
The Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs) of Bangladesh, especially the Sundarbans and Hakaluki Haor natural resources and biodiversity are crucial for the ECA dependent communities. However, these ecosystems are experiencing many challenges due to human activities, economic pressure, poor governance and adverse effects of climate change. These factors disproportionately affect marginalised groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic communities in the two ECAs. In response to these challenges, the NABAPALLAB project, supported by the UK Government, aims to improve ecosystem-based protection and restoration and increase climate resilience of ECA dependent communities in the Sundarbans and Hakaluki Haor ECAs. During the inception period, the project has conducted three studies simultaneously: i) An Ecological Assessment and Detailed Scoping Study, ii) Political Economy Analysis, and iii) Baseline Study.
The baseline study serves to establish pre-project conditions, providing essential data for monitoring, evaluation, and learning. It aims to capture baseline data for outcome indicators, disaggregated by sex, disability, and geography, and validate assumptions mentioned in the project's Theory of Change (ToC).
The study scope encompasses:
•
Socio-economic conditions
•
Climate change perceptions
•
Awareness of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA)
•
Locally led adaptation (LLA)
•
Nature-based solutions (NbS)
•
The current status of project intervention areas.
Methodology
The study has applied a mixed approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches by incorporating household surveys (2622 household), Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) (2506 participants) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) (137 respondents). A multi-stage cluster sampling approach was applied to select the sampled households, while diverse community members and stakeholders were engaged through FGD and KII that provided comprehensive insights into local contexts, baseline situation and the needs of the communities in the six intervention areas of the project.
Key findings
1. There are high levels of poverty, landlessness, and climate vulnerability among target communities in both ECAs.
• Food is by far the highest expenditure for households - demonstrating a high proportion of expenditure is simply meeting basic needs.
•It is also the case that a relatively high proportion of expenditure is used on the servicing of debt, again demonstrating the impacts for poor households on having to use debt as a coping mechanism.
• Borrowing money and cutting expenditure are by far the most used coping strategies, with reliance on savings and migration also prevalent.
28% of households in the ECA are landless, while 72% possess land, averaging 5.58 decimals.1 In the Sundarbans ECA, the average landholding is 6.85 decimals, and in Hakaluki ECA, it is 4.18 decimals. This land is used for various purposes, including housing, agriculture, homestead gardening, cattle raising, and fish culture.
2.
Climate-induced disasters severely impact livelihoods and natural resources, with limited awareness of EbA, LLA, and NbS approaches.
• Household surveys reveal that around 91% of respondents were affected by climate hazards and disasters like floods, drought and cyclones in the last 5 years. FGDs participants also highlighted that the vulnerability of the communities is high due to the location of their settlement in a fragile area, with poor infrastructure, climate sensitive livelihoods and lack of access to government Social Safety Net (SSN) services and support.
• Among the households, 32% have incurred loss of income and 23% loss of livelihoods. Over 17% of the respondents mentioned that climate change has increased health risks and medical expenditures in recent years.
• In contrast to relatively high levels of negative coping mechanisms (e.g. borrowing money, or cutting expenditure), few households engaged in planned adaptation i.e. changing livelihood options, diversification of crops, changing types of crops.
• The survey results revealed that 94% of the ECAs respondents do not know about LLA and NbS, suggesting considerable scope to work with communities to increase their understanding of these key issues.
3. Access to climate information has been inadequate and there has been a low degree of anticipatory action.
• The survey revealed a low level of information on climate change and a lack of access to important climate information. The survey reveals that overall, 66% of the respondents do not know about the Early Warning System (EWS), around 23% have not received any early warning on floods, and only 11% got some early warning during the floods in the last five years
• When asked if they take measures to strengthen their household infrastructure before local climatic hazards, approximately 57% of respondents in the ECAs reported that they do not take such measures.
4. Access to clean and renewable energy, safe drinking water, and sanitation is inadequate, particularly among vulnerable groups including poor women and ethnic minority communities.
• 97% of surveyed households have access to grid electricity in the ECAs, with 5.3% using solar energy and 0.2% relying on biogas. However, the grid electricity supply is unreliable, with about 63% of these households experiencing load shedding for more than 4 hours daily.
• There is also a significant reliance on traditional fuels (i.e. wood, twigs, cow dung, kerosine etc.) which is likely to have an impact on the broader sustainability of ECAs.
• 41% of respondents collect drinking water from tube wells, followed by Rainwater Harvesting System (RWHS) (22%), pond and dug wells (17%).
• Around 67% of the respondents use pit latrines with ring slabs (a type of improved sanitary latrine), whereas 20% use pit latrines without slabs.
5. Despite some positive trends in joint economic decision-making, women were not systematically included in decision-making around agricultural production.
In key measures women appeared to have moderate levels of inclusion in household decisions. Participation in decision-making on household purchases the surveys demonstrated that on average, across both regions, 68.1% reported having moderate or high levels of participation in these decisions.
•
Nearly three-quarters of the female respondents lacked the right to participate in decision-making in agricultural decision-making. Most female respondents in both regions (around 70.6% - 79.1%) did not share decision-making with their husbands about agricultural land use.
6.
There is little engagement of LGIs in conservation of natural resources, promoting resilient livelihoods. Participation of the community in formal and informal institutions is low.
• Around 93% of ECAs respondents reported that they have no membership and affiliation with the local conservation committees and groups such as Community Patrol Groups (CPG) or Village Conservation Forums (VCF). About 96% of the ECAs respondents have no participation in the decision-making of the Local Government Institutions (LGIs). Participation of vulnerable groups in decision-making is higher (10%) in the Sundarbans ECA than that of Hakaluki Haor (0.2% only).
• The participation of the study population in formal (government-led) and informal (civil society-led, private sector-led) climate-relevant decision-making spaces is also very low in the ECAs. About 6% of the households’ members participated in the decision-making spaces where 98% were male. The project must put more emphasis on the empowerment of people living in poverty and women for their effective participation in local decision processes that may benefit people living in poverty and women for adaptation and resilience building.
• Whilst community members felt that local authorities and committees had an important role to play in supporting farmers and forest-dependent communities, this support is currently inadequate due to constraints like insufficient human resources and capacity. Read More...
The baseline study serves to establish pre-project conditions, providing essential data for monitoring, evaluation, and learning. It aims to capture baseline data for outcome indicators, disaggregated by sex, disability, and geography, and validate assumptions mentioned in the project's Theory of Change (ToC).
The study scope encompasses:
•
Socio-economic conditions
•
Climate change perceptions
•
Awareness of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA)
•
Locally led adaptation (LLA)
•
Nature-based solutions (NbS)
•
The current status of project intervention areas.
Methodology
The study has applied a mixed approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches by incorporating household surveys (2622 household), Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) (2506 participants) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) (137 respondents). A multi-stage cluster sampling approach was applied to select the sampled households, while diverse community members and stakeholders were engaged through FGD and KII that provided comprehensive insights into local contexts, baseline situation and the needs of the communities in the six intervention areas of the project.
Key findings
1. There are high levels of poverty, landlessness, and climate vulnerability among target communities in both ECAs.
• Food is by far the highest expenditure for households - demonstrating a high proportion of expenditure is simply meeting basic needs.
•It is also the case that a relatively high proportion of expenditure is used on the servicing of debt, again demonstrating the impacts for poor households on having to use debt as a coping mechanism.
• Borrowing money and cutting expenditure are by far the most used coping strategies, with reliance on savings and migration also prevalent.
28% of households in the ECA are landless, while 72% possess land, averaging 5.58 decimals.1 In the Sundarbans ECA, the average landholding is 6.85 decimals, and in Hakaluki ECA, it is 4.18 decimals. This land is used for various purposes, including housing, agriculture, homestead gardening, cattle raising, and fish culture.
2.
Climate-induced disasters severely impact livelihoods and natural resources, with limited awareness of EbA, LLA, and NbS approaches.
• Household surveys reveal that around 91% of respondents were affected by climate hazards and disasters like floods, drought and cyclones in the last 5 years. FGDs participants also highlighted that the vulnerability of the communities is high due to the location of their settlement in a fragile area, with poor infrastructure, climate sensitive livelihoods and lack of access to government Social Safety Net (SSN) services and support.
• Among the households, 32% have incurred loss of income and 23% loss of livelihoods. Over 17% of the respondents mentioned that climate change has increased health risks and medical expenditures in recent years.
• In contrast to relatively high levels of negative coping mechanisms (e.g. borrowing money, or cutting expenditure), few households engaged in planned adaptation i.e. changing livelihood options, diversification of crops, changing types of crops.
• The survey results revealed that 94% of the ECAs respondents do not know about LLA and NbS, suggesting considerable scope to work with communities to increase their understanding of these key issues.
3. Access to climate information has been inadequate and there has been a low degree of anticipatory action.
• The survey revealed a low level of information on climate change and a lack of access to important climate information. The survey reveals that overall, 66% of the respondents do not know about the Early Warning System (EWS), around 23% have not received any early warning on floods, and only 11% got some early warning during the floods in the last five years
• When asked if they take measures to strengthen their household infrastructure before local climatic hazards, approximately 57% of respondents in the ECAs reported that they do not take such measures.
4. Access to clean and renewable energy, safe drinking water, and sanitation is inadequate, particularly among vulnerable groups including poor women and ethnic minority communities.
• 97% of surveyed households have access to grid electricity in the ECAs, with 5.3% using solar energy and 0.2% relying on biogas. However, the grid electricity supply is unreliable, with about 63% of these households experiencing load shedding for more than 4 hours daily.
• There is also a significant reliance on traditional fuels (i.e. wood, twigs, cow dung, kerosine etc.) which is likely to have an impact on the broader sustainability of ECAs.
• 41% of respondents collect drinking water from tube wells, followed by Rainwater Harvesting System (RWHS) (22%), pond and dug wells (17%).
• Around 67% of the respondents use pit latrines with ring slabs (a type of improved sanitary latrine), whereas 20% use pit latrines without slabs.
5. Despite some positive trends in joint economic decision-making, women were not systematically included in decision-making around agricultural production.
In key measures women appeared to have moderate levels of inclusion in household decisions. Participation in decision-making on household purchases the surveys demonstrated that on average, across both regions, 68.1% reported having moderate or high levels of participation in these decisions.
•
Nearly three-quarters of the female respondents lacked the right to participate in decision-making in agricultural decision-making. Most female respondents in both regions (around 70.6% - 79.1%) did not share decision-making with their husbands about agricultural land use.
6.
There is little engagement of LGIs in conservation of natural resources, promoting resilient livelihoods. Participation of the community in formal and informal institutions is low.
• Around 93% of ECAs respondents reported that they have no membership and affiliation with the local conservation committees and groups such as Community Patrol Groups (CPG) or Village Conservation Forums (VCF). About 96% of the ECAs respondents have no participation in the decision-making of the Local Government Institutions (LGIs). Participation of vulnerable groups in decision-making is higher (10%) in the Sundarbans ECA than that of Hakaluki Haor (0.2% only).
• The participation of the study population in formal (government-led) and informal (civil society-led, private sector-led) climate-relevant decision-making spaces is also very low in the ECAs. About 6% of the households’ members participated in the decision-making spaces where 98% were male. The project must put more emphasis on the empowerment of people living in poverty and women for their effective participation in local decision processes that may benefit people living in poverty and women for adaptation and resilience building.
• Whilst community members felt that local authorities and committees had an important role to play in supporting farmers and forest-dependent communities, this support is currently inadequate due to constraints like insufficient human resources and capacity. Read More...
Gender Equity and Resilience in Malawi: Insights from Titukulane RFSA Outcome Harvesting
Titukulane aims to build resilience and improve food security in rural Malawi through approaches that advance gender equality by addressing key constraints for women and girls. These constraints include the gender division of labor, intra-household decision-making, and access to productive resources. Gender equality is critical to achieving the broader objectives of Titukulane, as it directly affects agricultural productivity, economic empowerment, and the resilience of households and communities. By promoting women's and youth's active participation in leadership roles and community decision making processes, Titukulane seeks to ensure more sustainable and equitable outcomes in resilience building activities.
Building off the earlier Gender Outcome Mapping, the 2024 Outcome Harvest evaluated Titukulane’s impact on five gender equality interventions, which included:
- More women are now asking men for help with household chores, freeing up time for rest and family care.
- Men are becoming active in tasks traditionally viewed as women’s work, including child feeding and housekeeping.
- Women have greater influence over nutritional choices, especially in food purchasing and household meal distribution, though cultural norms still limit their authority over assets like land and livestock.
- More women are stepping into community leadership roles, though these roles are typically less influential than men’s.
- Community attitudes towards GBV are shifting, with more cases reported and discussed openly. Men and youth are increasingly vocal against GBV, fostering greater awareness. Read More...
Building off the earlier Gender Outcome Mapping, the 2024 Outcome Harvest evaluated Titukulane’s impact on five gender equality interventions, which included:
- More women are now asking men for help with household chores, freeing up time for rest and family care.
- Men are becoming active in tasks traditionally viewed as women’s work, including child feeding and housekeeping.
- Women have greater influence over nutritional choices, especially in food purchasing and household meal distribution, though cultural norms still limit their authority over assets like land and livestock.
- More women are stepping into community leadership roles, though these roles are typically less influential than men’s.
- Community attitudes towards GBV are shifting, with more cases reported and discussed openly. Men and youth are increasingly vocal against GBV, fostering greater awareness. Read More...
Ecological Assessment and Detailed Scoping Study in the Sundarbans and Hakaluki Haor Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA) for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Locally Led Adaptation (LLA)
The Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs) in Bangladesh, notably the Sundarbans and Hakaluki Haor are vital for biodiversity and livelihoods. The UK government’s Adaptation in Ecologically Critical Areas known locally as NABAPALLAB- (Nature Based Adaptation towards Prosperous and Adept Lives & Livelihoods in Bangladesh) project aims to enhance resilience of the ecosystem and livelihoods through Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Locally Led Adaptation (LLA). The project has conducted three separate assessments (Ecological Assessment and Detailed Scoping study; Stakeholder Mapping and Political Economy Analysis; and Baseline Study) simultaneously during its inception stage. This report synthesizes findings from the ecological assessment and detailed scoping study. Insights were gathered to understand ecological status, community needs, and intervention opportunities in the Sundarbans and Hakaluki Haor. The report further highlights current and emerging threats, drivers and complexities in both ECAs. The status of the natural resource base, degradation pattern and ecosystem health were also analysed and documented using physical data and recent satellite imagery.
In the Sundarbans, the study found different ecosystems, including wetlands, low-lying lands, riverside areas, homesteads, croplands, and coastal embankments. All of these ecosystems are affected by various climatic stressors such as salinity, tidal inundation, erratic rainfall, and cyclones. They are also impacted by anthropogenic drivers such as shrimp farming, water logging, overharvesting, illegal fishing, deforestation, poaching. For example, the study shows that shrimp cultivation has a profound effect on agriculture with changes in land use and intrusion of saline water, which lead to decreased soil fertility, crop failure and lower productivity. Shrimp cultivation also contributes to surface water pollution, leading to scarcity of drinking water and negative impacts on WASH. The study also highlights significant threats to important endangered wildlife species in the Sundarbans ECA, including the Masked Finfoot and White-Rumped Vulture. In addition to the anthropogenic threats, the study has identified other problems such as fishing with poison, bird hunting, use of illegal fishing equipment, canal siltation, and intrusion of saline water into freshwater wetlands. These issues result in decreased fish population, depletion of wildlife and reduced agricultural productivity.
The Hakaluki Haor, encompassing 276 interconnected beels (wetland lakes) over an area of 18,000 hectares, faces significant threats from both anthropogenic and climate change stressors. Extensive sedimentation and agricultural expansion have led to the conversion of over 20 beels to agricultural production, impacting wetland productivity, aquatic vegetation, fish populations, and local livelihoods. Degradation of rivers, canals, and hill streams within the Haor has further exacerbated these problems and challenges, affecting crop production, fish yields, and biodiversity. Encroachment on protected swamp forest areas after phase-out of previous projects, wide-ranging deforestation, and conversion of raised land (Kandas) for agriculture have negatively impacted the habitats of fish and birds, and other wetland-dependent wildlife as well as waterfowl migratory routes. Furthermore, elite capture excludes poor fisher folk and landless individuals from fishing and accessing natural resources, while agricultural expansion in Kanda areas raises concerns about increased use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers that pollute wetlands. Read More...
In the Sundarbans, the study found different ecosystems, including wetlands, low-lying lands, riverside areas, homesteads, croplands, and coastal embankments. All of these ecosystems are affected by various climatic stressors such as salinity, tidal inundation, erratic rainfall, and cyclones. They are also impacted by anthropogenic drivers such as shrimp farming, water logging, overharvesting, illegal fishing, deforestation, poaching. For example, the study shows that shrimp cultivation has a profound effect on agriculture with changes in land use and intrusion of saline water, which lead to decreased soil fertility, crop failure and lower productivity. Shrimp cultivation also contributes to surface water pollution, leading to scarcity of drinking water and negative impacts on WASH. The study also highlights significant threats to important endangered wildlife species in the Sundarbans ECA, including the Masked Finfoot and White-Rumped Vulture. In addition to the anthropogenic threats, the study has identified other problems such as fishing with poison, bird hunting, use of illegal fishing equipment, canal siltation, and intrusion of saline water into freshwater wetlands. These issues result in decreased fish population, depletion of wildlife and reduced agricultural productivity.
The Hakaluki Haor, encompassing 276 interconnected beels (wetland lakes) over an area of 18,000 hectares, faces significant threats from both anthropogenic and climate change stressors. Extensive sedimentation and agricultural expansion have led to the conversion of over 20 beels to agricultural production, impacting wetland productivity, aquatic vegetation, fish populations, and local livelihoods. Degradation of rivers, canals, and hill streams within the Haor has further exacerbated these problems and challenges, affecting crop production, fish yields, and biodiversity. Encroachment on protected swamp forest areas after phase-out of previous projects, wide-ranging deforestation, and conversion of raised land (Kandas) for agriculture have negatively impacted the habitats of fish and birds, and other wetland-dependent wildlife as well as waterfowl migratory routes. Furthermore, elite capture excludes poor fisher folk and landless individuals from fishing and accessing natural resources, while agricultural expansion in Kanda areas raises concerns about increased use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers that pollute wetlands. Read More...
Baseline Study Report of Flash Flood and Lightning
The baseline study concerning the impact of flash floods and lightning on the SUFAL-II project aims to analyze the context of flash floods and lightning, assess the scopes of the Early Warning System, and examine current trends of of hazard-specific responses taken by individual, community, and institutional levels. The objective of this project is to bolster the capabilities of vulnerable communities and institutions in Bangladesh to implement forecast-based early actions. The study employed a mixed-method approach, amalgamating both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques. This was done to assess the context, accessibility, usage, and potential of early warning systems and early actions for mitigating the risks associated with the flash floods and lightning hazards.
The study encompassed three districts prone to flash floods, namely Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Netrokona. For the treatment group areas, the selected Upazilas were Gowainghat, Dharmapasha, and Khaliajuri and for control group areas, the selected areas were Sylhet Sadar, Sunamganj Sadar, Madan.
Data was collected from 502 households, 12 focus group discussions, and 19 key informant interviews. The study's findings indicate that flash floods and lightning are recurrent and severe hazards that pose significant threats to the communities lives, assets, and livelihoods. These hazards are disproportionately affect women, individuals with disabilities and farmers. The study also identified several shortcomings in the existing early warning systems, including issues related to timeliness, quality, coverage, accessibility, comprehension, and trust.
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The study encompassed three districts prone to flash floods, namely Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Netrokona. For the treatment group areas, the selected Upazilas were Gowainghat, Dharmapasha, and Khaliajuri and for control group areas, the selected areas were Sylhet Sadar, Sunamganj Sadar, Madan.
Data was collected from 502 households, 12 focus group discussions, and 19 key informant interviews. The study's findings indicate that flash floods and lightning are recurrent and severe hazards that pose significant threats to the communities lives, assets, and livelihoods. These hazards are disproportionately affect women, individuals with disabilities and farmers. The study also identified several shortcomings in the existing early warning systems, including issues related to timeliness, quality, coverage, accessibility, comprehension, and trust.
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EJERCICIO DE REVISIÓN DESPUES DE LA ACCIÓN
The evaluation report outlines the efforts of the Climate Change and Resilience Program, which focuses on enhancing the capacities of vulnerable populations to manage extreme climate events and other natural disasters. One significant project aims to conserve and restore forest landscapes in the municipalities of La Reforma, El Quetzal, and Colomba Costa Cuca. This initiative seeks to build on previous conservation efforts by strengthening local governance through the establishment of Environmental Management Units. Key activities include the formulation of municipal environmental policies and the reactivation of stakeholder dialogue to ensure community participation. Additionally, the project supports community-level training for volunteer promoters and the implementation of biocultural productive projects that diversify agroforestry systems. Running from December 1, 2022, to May 31, 2024, the project covers 33 communities and is funded by the Tropical Forest Conservation Fund (FCA).
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Final Evaluation: MACP Project – Disaster Ready Communities in Vulnerable Rural Areas of Guatemala
CARE Guatemala implemented during 2020 to 2023 the “Disaster Ready Communities in vulnerable rural areas of Guatemala MACP” project financed by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies Foundation, donating US$2,300,000.00 (Two million three hundred thousand dollars) for its execution. The initiative was executed in municipalities of Joyabaj, San Bartolomé Jocotenango and Sacapulas in the Department of Quiché; Aguacatán and Chiantla in the Department of Huehuetenango and Salamá, in the Department of Baja Verapaz.
Its general objective was increased empowerment and leadership of vulnerable communities, to provide an efficient, gender-sensitive emergency response, in a context of natural disasters and health crises at the end of the project.
Specific objectives were:
a) Communities after the first year of the project implement social measures to reduce vulnerability and risks. b) Communities execute social actions together with municipal governments to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, the project defined five results:
1. During the first year of the project, communities have a well-informed and adequately trained, inclusive, and self-organized group responsible of leading disaster preparedness. 2. Communities have greater capacities for disaster response with the respective plans and inclusive systems implemented and updated, incorporating what they learned at the end of the project. 3. Communities are connected, for a second year, with the project, to municipal governments and have access to technical and financial assistance. 4. The project contributes to increase the capacity of nearby communities and local government units in disaster preparedness. 5. Communities respond efficiently to health crises and coordinate with health services for appropriate use of the respective protocols.
The team hired for this purpose carried out a series of capacity-building activities, investment in infrastructure, providing support and technical training to leaders. The project was executed by a multidisciplinary staff and some activities were implemented by hiring temporary, external consultants with expertise on related topics.
Upon completion, CARE Guatemala requested a final evaluation. This process has allowed us to identify a series of important findings related to the project cycle. Among them, a design and execution with a high level of pertinence, coherence, relevance, efficiency/effectiveness, impact and sustainability. A process to strengthen the capabilities of the Local Coordinators for Disaster Reduction COLRED was successfully carried out in 60 communities from 6 municipalities benefited.
As an immediate result of the strengthening process, 60 COLRED have the capabilities to identify, monitor and act during emergencies caused by disasters and have higher levels of cohesion compared to the beginning of the project. They have also complied with all the steps to obtain CONRED accreditation and have prepared and received approval of its Local Response Plans. They are articulated to community and municipal processes through the Municipal Instances of
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management IMGIRD, spaces that have different levels of development based on their management and formalization, starting as units to Municipal Directorates. This municipal space was strengthened by COMRED whose members were trained and strengthened. Participating communities received support to renovate facilities that could potentially become shelters, School Committees were trained and organizational support that will allow them to adequately manage disaster risks in the context of their educational process.
Since its formulation, the project had a solid approach and was committed to promoting equity in participation processes including women and men. However, disaggregated analysis tools and specific gender action plans were prepared after the project had begun. This caused, in part, that gender implementation suffered some limitations during activities. However, it has been satisfying to note that, despite these limitations, the women involved in the process are empowered, have an understanding, defend the importance of their participation and identify the basic actions related to community management and mobilization for disaster reduction and emergency action.
The findings documented in this report were verified by implementing a comprehensive work methodology that reviewed documents produced by the project, analyzed the activity cycle, reviewed the financial and administrative aspects of the project, as well as documents and systematizations prepared, carried out interviews with three levels of execution involved in the project (senior management, middle management and operational team), with focus group, and made field visits to execute direct observation and interviews with participants. At the end of the document, there are pertinent conclusions and recommendations. Read More...
Its general objective was increased empowerment and leadership of vulnerable communities, to provide an efficient, gender-sensitive emergency response, in a context of natural disasters and health crises at the end of the project.
Specific objectives were:
a) Communities after the first year of the project implement social measures to reduce vulnerability and risks. b) Communities execute social actions together with municipal governments to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, the project defined five results:
1. During the first year of the project, communities have a well-informed and adequately trained, inclusive, and self-organized group responsible of leading disaster preparedness. 2. Communities have greater capacities for disaster response with the respective plans and inclusive systems implemented and updated, incorporating what they learned at the end of the project. 3. Communities are connected, for a second year, with the project, to municipal governments and have access to technical and financial assistance. 4. The project contributes to increase the capacity of nearby communities and local government units in disaster preparedness. 5. Communities respond efficiently to health crises and coordinate with health services for appropriate use of the respective protocols.
The team hired for this purpose carried out a series of capacity-building activities, investment in infrastructure, providing support and technical training to leaders. The project was executed by a multidisciplinary staff and some activities were implemented by hiring temporary, external consultants with expertise on related topics.
Upon completion, CARE Guatemala requested a final evaluation. This process has allowed us to identify a series of important findings related to the project cycle. Among them, a design and execution with a high level of pertinence, coherence, relevance, efficiency/effectiveness, impact and sustainability. A process to strengthen the capabilities of the Local Coordinators for Disaster Reduction COLRED was successfully carried out in 60 communities from 6 municipalities benefited.
As an immediate result of the strengthening process, 60 COLRED have the capabilities to identify, monitor and act during emergencies caused by disasters and have higher levels of cohesion compared to the beginning of the project. They have also complied with all the steps to obtain CONRED accreditation and have prepared and received approval of its Local Response Plans. They are articulated to community and municipal processes through the Municipal Instances of
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management IMGIRD, spaces that have different levels of development based on their management and formalization, starting as units to Municipal Directorates. This municipal space was strengthened by COMRED whose members were trained and strengthened. Participating communities received support to renovate facilities that could potentially become shelters, School Committees were trained and organizational support that will allow them to adequately manage disaster risks in the context of their educational process.
Since its formulation, the project had a solid approach and was committed to promoting equity in participation processes including women and men. However, disaggregated analysis tools and specific gender action plans were prepared after the project had begun. This caused, in part, that gender implementation suffered some limitations during activities. However, it has been satisfying to note that, despite these limitations, the women involved in the process are empowered, have an understanding, defend the importance of their participation and identify the basic actions related to community management and mobilization for disaster reduction and emergency action.
The findings documented in this report were verified by implementing a comprehensive work methodology that reviewed documents produced by the project, analyzed the activity cycle, reviewed the financial and administrative aspects of the project, as well as documents and systematizations prepared, carried out interviews with three levels of execution involved in the project (senior management, middle management and operational team), with focus group, and made field visits to execute direct observation and interviews with participants. At the end of the document, there are pertinent conclusions and recommendations. Read More...
GENRE+ Phase II Project learning brief Strengthening climate resilience, social cohesion & gender equality in Ségou, Mali
The UK FCDO GENRE+ Phase II project is dedicated to promoting the equitable management of natural resources to enhance climate resilience, social cohesion, and peace in the Ségou Region of Mali. Launched in early 2023, the project spans 48 villages, with 24 selected for focused research on community behavior related to natural resource management (NRM) and the factors influencing these behaviors, particularly women’s participation.
In March 2024, over a year into the project, research was initiated to understand the impact of increased women's involvement in NRM decision-making. Key findings reveal improvements in climate adaptation strategies, including initiatives to reduce logging and soil erosion, alongside notable shifts in attitudes toward women’s roles in NRM. While many respondents acknowledge the importance of women’s participation in decision-making, challenges remain, including limited representation and social norms that hinder women's leadership opportunities.
This learning brief compiles the key findings from the research and provides recommendations for project adaptations as it enters its final year.
Page No: 8
Donor: UKaid Read More...
In March 2024, over a year into the project, research was initiated to understand the impact of increased women's involvement in NRM decision-making. Key findings reveal improvements in climate adaptation strategies, including initiatives to reduce logging and soil erosion, alongside notable shifts in attitudes toward women’s roles in NRM. While many respondents acknowledge the importance of women’s participation in decision-making, challenges remain, including limited representation and social norms that hinder women's leadership opportunities.
This learning brief compiles the key findings from the research and provides recommendations for project adaptations as it enters its final year.
Page No: 8
Donor: UKaid Read More...