A day-long training workshop on “Climate Finance and Integrity” was held for journalists under the Strengthening Climate Governance through Grassroots Participation (SCGGP) project in Bangladesh. The training was organized by Wave Foundation and funded by the World Resources Institute at the Barguna Press Club Auditorium on Saturday.
According to local sources, the project, which is running in a total of 32 unions in Barguna and Patuakhali districts, aims to ensure the proper use of climate finance by the grassroots people. According to project sources, 7,570 people will directly benefit from this initiative and 24,339 people indirectly. This includes Dalits, Hijras, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities including small ethnic groups.
The journalists participating in the training were informed that crores of taka are allocated every year to combat climate change. However, if journalists conduct investigative reports on whether this money is being spent properly, in which sectors it is being misused, or where there are irregularities, real information will reach the public and it will be easier to establish good governance.
Local journalist Shahidul Islam Sapno Islam, who participated in the training, said, "We didn't have much idea about the budget and expenditure of climate finance before. Through the training, we learned how to collect information and prepare investigative reports."
Another journalist, Shah Ali, said, "This training has further increased our sense of responsibility. Working with transparency in spending money on climate projects will increase public confidence."
The guest of the training, General Secretary of Barguna Press Club, Abu Zafar Md. Saleh, said, "The responsibility of journalists is not only to publish news, but also to ensure transparency. This training will further strengthen our capacity."
Mosharraf Hossain, editor of Dainik Dweeppanchal, said, "Ensuring proper use of funds in climate projects is everyone's responsibility. Journalists can play a leading role in this regard."
Officials from the Wave Foundation said that if the project is implemented properly, local people will be more sensitive and responsible in government services related to climate. In addition, the accountability of public representatives and government officials will increase. Disaster preparedness, mitigation, and rehabilitation activities will be more transparent and sustainable.
The training was facilitated by Wave Foundation's Barguna Sadar Project Officer Md. Mazharul Islam and Community Mobilization Officer Monirul Islam. They said that if journalists conduct investigative reports by combining budget, expenditure and people's experiences, transparency in climate finance will be ensured.
