Naogaon a drought-prone district in northwestern Bangladesh is home to nearly 300,000 indigenous people, many of whom rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. With around 50 percent of the population living in poverty, recurring droughts, declining rainfall and shrinking agricultural employment have made life increasingly difficult for marginalized communities. As climate change continues to threaten agricultural production, many vulnerable families are forced to migrate in search of work or depend on advance labor sales and high-interest loans to survive during periods of crisis.
To address these challenges, WAVE Foundation, in partnership with Barendrabhumi Social Development Organization (BSDO), has been implementing the Gender Equality Transforms Climate Action (GETCA) Project since December 2024 across Mohadevpur, Shapahar and Manda upazilas of Naogaon. Through a range of community engagement initiatives, the project has been raising awareness on climate change impacts, adaptation strategies, climate justice and the role communities can play in building resilience.
Between January and June 2026, 18 Awareness Sessions were organized where women, youth and socially excluded communities discussed local climate challenges, identified practical adaptation measures and explored how they could collectively respond to climate risks. Inspired by these discussions, marginalized women across the three upazilas came together to establish 13 Emergency Food Reserves to strengthen household food security during natural disasters and periods of unemployment. By June 2026, 257 women had collectively stored 871 kilograms of rice and saved BDT 36,375 in cash. The initiative enables families to meet their emergency food needs without selling their labor in advance or borrowing money at high interest. At the same time, participants have started planting trees around their homes and encouraging neighbors and relatives to do the same, contributing to environmental restoration alongside climate resilience. The initiative has strengthened household food security, reduced dependence on advance labor sales and high-interest loans and encouraged communities to take ownership of climate adaptation.
Sharing her experience, Sakhina Orao, a member of the Bonogram Emergency Food Reserve in Khajur Union, Mohadevpur Upazila, said, “During natural disasters, we have no work and no food at home. After participating in the GETCA awareness sessions, we realized that by working together we could establish our own Emergency Food Reserve instead of depending on others during difficult times.” Her experience reflects how greater awareness has inspired practical, community-led solutions to climate challenges.
Through the GETCA Project, WAVE Foundation and BSDO have transformed awareness into sustainable climate action by equipping marginalized communities with the knowledge, confidence and guidance to strengthen their own resilience. Led by WAVE in consortium with BSDO, Nazrul Smrity Sangsad (NSS) and JagoNari, the project continues to promote locally led climate adaptation, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable communities with support from the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) Programme, funded by Switzerland, Canada and the European Union and managed by GFA Consulting Group.
