MJF- CREA (2022 - 2026)

The first few months of 2023 saw very limited activities as the work for partner selection (13) and orientation continued during a major part of the year. Activities mostly involved organising awareness sessions, forming committees, and conducting training, etc. Analyses on gender equality and locally led adaptation were completed during this period. The findings and analyses provide a basis for identification of key aspects and the related tools and approaches to be applied during the project's implementation. The strategic approaches taken for implementation of the project and achievement of project goals and objectives are described below: Changing Social Norms: The project prioritized changing social norms and improving the knowledge base on climate change impacts and the importance of adapting for long-term resilience. The project formed The Gender-Equality and Climate Alliance (GECA) to promote and protect gender responsive climate action by listening to their voices towards gender equality. Partnership Management: MJF formed three levels of partnership to implement this project i) established a strategic partnership with various climate actors, forums, and women's rights alliances to prevent child marriage and DVAW, ii) collaborated with local level civil society organizations/NGOs for grassroots level implementations, and iii) engaged with public and local government authorities to make them responsive towards climate-vulnerable people, especially women and girls. During 2023 MJF completed the partnership selection process through an open and competitive process. Integration of livelihood and access to services and resources: Improving economic opportunities and livelihoods to respond to climate variability and change through building community resilience is integrated in the design to addressing short, medium, and long-term adaptation to climate change impacts. The underlying assessment is that livelihood development will lead to improved community resilience and ensure greater access to public service and natural resources. With this aim, MJF and the partner NGOs (13) have also introduced and facilitated the rights-based approach for empowering women and girls, where social accountability tools, and RTI would have been an integral part of the project. Policy Advocacy: In order to ensure better governance and policies incorporating the voices of the most vulnerable people, MJF and its partner organizations stared advocating for supporting, developing, and implementing environment and gender-responsive climate laws and policies, especially on climate change, LLA (locally led adaptation), DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) at the national and local levels. Lessons learned and best practices are being documented. These will be shared and targeted as inputs into national policy initiatives through involvement of different forums. The project also engages with print and electronic media and social media to reach a wider community, youth, and adolescents, development partners, multi-stakeholders, and networks. Joint meetings between beneficiaries and stakeholders were held to enable the former to access information about available services and climate-resilient assistance for their livestock. Participants also included private sector representatives. During these sessions, the beneficiaries were reported to have played an instrumental role in the dialogue. Groups of involving women, adolescents, and youth were formed targeting their empowerment to address inequalities. Out of the total group members, 255 individuals were persons with disabilities (PWD). Regular meetings of the groups covered topics such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster response, gender-based violence (GBV), and child marriage.They will also receive training on fundamental human rights, gender issues, domestic violence, dowry practices, and child marriage prevention, among other subjects. A major achievement during this period was the completion of the baseline survey. This survey, which includes current data, needs, and recommendations will be very useful for subsequent monitoring and evaluation and enhanced programme follow up.

Originally, the project expected to work with five outcomes which would contribute to increased resilience and womens and girls empowerment. 1. Service providers (both public and local government institutions) are responsive, and increased access to the quality services of community, especially women and girls. 2. Improved resilience of the most vulnerable coastal, char, hill, and haor communities to climate change impact. 3. Empowered women and girls are dealing with inequality, social injustice, violence incidences and participate in voice raising and protests. 4. Strong voices and decisions are in place against violence against women and child marriage. Decrease in rate of child marriage and violence against women in the selected climate vulnerable areas. 5. Risks related to poverty will be decreased with increased family income and alternative livelihoods options. In addtion to the above, the project objectives will now also include: 6. Strengthen democratic institutions, promote transparency and accountability, support civic engagement, and advocate for human rights. 7. Empower youth and women through leadership development, civic education, and skills training; promote gender equality; address gender-based violence; and ensure inclusive decision-making for all. 8. Prevent harassment and promote civility on public transportation by raising awareness and encouraging positive behavior through visually impactful messages displayed in the Dhaka metro and buses.