Community voices are gaining greater space in local decision-making through Loak Morcha (People’s Alliance), WAVE Foundation’s flagship platform under the Gender Equality Transforms Climate Action (GETCA) project. Through the platform, WAVE is facilitating community participation, strengthening local advocacy and connecting community priorities with local government and relevant service providers.
As part of the initiative, WAVE and its consortium partners have formed 25 members Loak Morcha committees in 90 unions and 15 upazilas across Barishal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Rajshahi and Naogaon districts. The committees regularly discuss gender equality, human rights, youth engagement, social justice, well-being and discrimination. With support and facilitation from the project, members identify priority issues and raise them through lobby meetings and policy dialogues with Union and Upazila Disaster Management Committees (UDMCs), Union Parishads, local government authorities and relevant departments.
The advocacy has already resulted in several community-level changes. Marginalized women have received sewing training to strengthen their livelihoods; measures have been taken to prevent water wastage and arrange safe drinking water in villages; 180 harmful eucalyptus trees have been felled; and tree plantation initiatives have been promoted. Loak Morcha members have also submitted memorandums to Union Parishads, urging budget allocation for disaster management initiatives. A significant outcome has been the inclusion of more than 700 Loak Morcha representatives are now part of the Upazila Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) at Union and Upazila levels, creating a stronger community voice in disaster management decisions.
“Loak Morcha has given us a platform to raise community concerns and engage with local authorities for practical solutions,” said a Loak Morcha representative.
These outcomes reflect WAVE’s role in strengthening community leadership and turning local concerns into collective advocacy. The initiative has improved coordination among local government bodies, service providers and communities while encouraging stakeholders to improve public service quality, strengthen accountability and address local development challenges.
WAVE has been implementing GETCA project since December 2024 as the facilitating member of a consortium comprising Nazrul Smrity Sangsad (NSS), Jago Nari, Barendrabhumi Social Development Organization (BSDO) and DASCOH Foundation. The project is supported by the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) Program, funded by Switzerland, Canada and the European Union and managed by GFA Consulting Group.
