Building Capacity and Empowering Communities in Southern Bangladesh
27 February 2015, Bangladesh – Since 2013, CIFAL Scotland, with the support of the Scottish Government, has been leading a capacity building initiative to assist communities in southern Bangladesh affected by devastating cyclones. In January 2015 CIFAL Scotland held the second Alumni Seminar gathering participants from the previous courses “Design for Sustainable Settlements” and “Premaculture Approaches for Food Production”.
Participants came from the Mongla, Sutarkhali and Banishanta regions to share lessons learned during 2014.
Key lessons included:
- Climate resilient agriculture techniques were implemented by the beneficiaries and further spread amongst members of the surrounding villages;
- Climate resilient agriculture techniques have increased the yields, generating a surplus in their food production and improving livelihoods;
- Strengthening of social cohesion amongst community members has had an indirect effect in their household incomes.
Local government representatives and wider community members were shown the results of this capacity building initiative, which aims to bring appropriate solutions to the impact of climate change in food production while improving livelihoods.
In conjunction with the seminar beneficiaries organised an eco-fair in Banishanta to showcase and market their fruits and vegetables, handicrafts, fish, and other handmade and organic products.
Towards the end of the seminar, participants identified social enterprise and food conserving as two main areas to focus in the coming year.