Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) and ICLEI South Asia, in partnership with CDKN, launched this project in Bangladesh in July 2019.

Context

In Bangladesh, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) form a major share of the country’s GDP. However, this sector is not adequately aware of climate change impacts, especially in the southwest (coastal) region of the country, which is highly vulnerable to cyclones and sea-level rise. There is also a lack of awareness around potential mechanisms, such as funding opportunities, to reduce such vulnerabilities.

Considering that MSMEs are not equipped to cope with intense disasters, there is a need for an assessment of adaptation investment opportunities that can build resilience. Although some research exists on mitigation investments in Bangladesh, the novelty of this project lies in the fact that, so far, no technical assessment has been conducted recognising that effective adaptation investment is the key to sustainability, specifically for MSMEs.

In response to this, BCAS and BUILD will utilise the CDKN funding to conduct some additional research on adaptation investment options to initiate policy advocacy for private sectors and relevant ministries. To gather the existing knowledge of stakeholders, 2 divisional level and 2 district level consultations, along with 25 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), will be conducted. The data will be analysed and synthesised to identify the key adaptation investment needs and opportunities of the selected sectors as well as what kind of policy changes or awareness gaps may be addressed to unlock these investments.

Project objective

• To explore climate change vulnerabilities, current gender-sensitive adaptation practices and potential adaptation investment options for MSMEs in Satkhira, Bagerhut and Khulna
• To connect key stakeholders including government organisations, private sectors, NGOs/CSOs with the knowledge of major investment needs for adaptation of MSMEs for effective investment flow

Project activities and outputs

The project activities include stakeholder identification, stakeholder prioritisation to identify access pathways; development of data/information collection tools; multi-stakeholder consultation workshops at district and division level; key informant interviews with Government Officials, Private Sector Forums, MSMEs in Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhut and Dhaka; outlining knowledge products and communication materials based on literature review and team discussions; data/information synthesis and analysis; multi-stakeholder knowledge dissemination event; and preparation of event proceedings.

Outputs from the project include:

1. List of key stakeholders for effective engagement
2. Knowledge products e.g. policy brief, technical paper, case studies on adaptation investment opportunities and challenges
3. Communication materials e.g. infographics representing relevant MSMEs and their adaptation investment scenarios
4. Project Progress Report
5. Technical Report on the synthesised findings
6. Sharing communication materials and knowledge products
7. Proceedings of stakeholder consultation and recommendation from the dissemination event
8. Project Final Report

Partners: Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD)

Photo: Tailor in Bangladesh. Courtesy of ILO/Muntasir Mamun