Md Ekramul Kabir, Khulna Bureau

An inception workshop was held at CSS Ava Center, Khulna, marking the launching of the Enhancing Resilience of Coastal Communities-II (ERCC-II) Project on Wednesday.

The workshop aimed to share the objectives of the project with key stakeholders including government, NGOs, civil society for the support during the implementation in Khulna district.

The event was organized by Jagrata Juba Shangha (JJS) in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, with the financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The workshop was graced by Adv. Kamoles Kumer Shana, Upazila Vice Chairman, Koyra; Dr. Md. Sariful Islam, District Livestock Officer, Khulna; Kazi Jahangir Hossain, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture Extension, Khulna; Khan Motaher Hossain, Deputy Director, Department of Social Services, Khulna; Doctor Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, Md. Abdul Karim, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, Khulna, Departmental Head, Environment Science Discipline, Khulna University as special guests and remarked at the inception workshop.

Mr. Saroj Das, Head of International Program Support, Concern Worldwide-Korea; Mr. Jyotiraj Patra, Program Director, Concern Worldwide presented as speech of guests of the event, alongside, Md. Moshiur Rahman, Programme Manager, Concern Worldwide, Dian Kim, Assistant Manager-International Programme, Concern Worldwide Korea, and ERCC project staff from JJS also graced the occasion.

Enhancing Resilience of Coastal Communities in its new phase will continue till 2026 with three tears project. The project goal is to contribute to the reduction of poverty and empowerment of people living in extreme poverty in the coastal region by enhancing the resilience of households living in poverty and extreme poverty and communities exposed to the risks of climate change in the coastal regions of Bangladesh.

Engaging two upazila Koyra and Dacope, the project aims to enhance the resilience of communities, to contribute to SDGs and the 8th Five-year plan of the Government. Inaugurating the workshop, Mr. ATM Zakir Hossain, Executive Director of JJS in his speech welcomed all the guests, followed by an overview of the project objectives by MM Chishty, Senior Director of Programs at JJS. Md. Moshiur Rahman, Programme Manager, Concern Worldwide and Abdul Malek, the Project Coordinator of ERCC, JJS, jointly presented a detailed plan highlighting the project's goals, outcomes, target groups, and major activities. Key topics discussed during the workshop included Climate Smart Agriculture, Resilience Farming Techniques, market access creation, access to financial institutes, Rain Water Harvesting Support (RWHS), and initiatives for climate change adaptation and preparedness. Participants, comprising government officials, NGO representatives, university faculties, and civil society members, shared their experiences and insights for the successful implementation of the project.

Speakers appreciated about the collaborative efforts of local government departments, this project and other NGOs in contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of underprivileged communities in Koyra and Dacope upazilas.

They also remarked on positive impact of 1st phase of Enhancing Resilience of Coastal Communities Project which ended in December 2023.

The event underscored the commitment and dedication of all stakeholders involved in the climate resilience project, setting a promising trajectory for the upliftment of coastal communities in Khulna.