Climate Action at Local Level

14/05/2026

https://www.tbsnews.net/environment/climate-change/risk-resilience-how-climate-migrant-children-rebuilding-lives-chattogram

13/05/2026

12/05/2026

𝐙𝐢𝐧𝐜 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚:

In the environmentally stressed riverbank area of Ashulia, Savar, 61-year-old farmer Md. Moyen Uddin has turned adversity into opportunity through climate-smart agriculture. Farming 120 decimals of land near a waste disposal site, he long struggled with polluted irrigation water, poor soil health and low yields from traditional BRRIdhan28 rice.

With support from Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition under the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) Programme, funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and implemented by 𝐎𝐁𝐇𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐊 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, Moyen Uddin adopted BRRIdhan102 zinc-enriched rice, along with improved fertilizers and technical guidance.
He followed proper seedbed preparation, timely transplanting, efficient irrigation during off-peak hours amid fuel shortages and integrated pest management. Despite industrial runoff risks, the crop showed strong growth and uniform maturity.

By May 2026, his field displayed healthier plants and heavier grain-bearing panicles, with significantly higher yield expected. The zinc-rich rice also enhances household nutrition.

Reflecting on his success, Moyen Uddin said the new variety not only increased yield but also improved nutritional value. Local agriculture officials confirmed that such interventions are helping farmers adopt improved practices and build resilience.
This success highlights how climate-smart, biofortified agriculture can transform vulnerable farming systems and strengthen livelihoods in challenging environments.

11/05/2026

10/05/2026

A delegation from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh visited Cox’s Bazar to witness the impact of the CALL programme, with a particular focus on the Nari Shakti, Samaz Shakti (NSSS) project implemented by Helvetas Bangladesh and the Free kids project of Solidar Suisse, Bangladesh.

The delegation included Ms Sabine Rosenthaler, Mr Diepak Elmer, Mr Marc Dietrich, Ms Shirin Sultana, and Mr Tanbir Uddin Arman. Both visits provided an opportunity to engage directly with community members and hear inspiring stories of resilience, empowerment, and progress.

With Helvetas, the participants from both host and Rohingya communities, showcased locally produced goods and community-led initiatives, highlighting the entrepreneurship and skills developed through the programme. Prior to the demonastration, the CALL consortium presented an overview of the programme.

Besides, the delegation met the graduates of the Free Kids project implemented by Solidar Suisse. These young people had previously worked in the dried fish industry, a sector that is highly vulnerable to climate impacts and known for exposing children to hazardous working conditions. Through the programme, they received vocational training and life skills development, alongside increased awareness of labour rights, occupational safety, and legal protections among workers and communities. Now, these children have successfully transitioned out of child labour and into safer, more dignified livelihoods. Many are now pursuing skilled occupations such as tailoring, beauty services, and other vocational trades, enabling them to build more secure and hopeful futures. Overall, this high-value visit reaffirmed a shared commitment to building inclusive and climate-resilient communities.

06/05/2026

The Nari Shakti, Samaz Shakti (NSSS) project of the CALL programme is implemented in Cox’s Bazar, focusing on building a gender-transformative and inclusive pathway to resilience for both host and Rohingya communities through the community-driven approach.

The project implemented by Uttaran- A Social Development Organization with support from consortium member Helvetas Bangladesh, funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, is for women and marginalised communities at the center of the change, enabling them to actively contribute to safer, more climate-resilient communities through strengthening their knowledge and skills.

A recently published documentary by Uttaran captures powerful stories of resilience and transformation emerging from CALL interventions in Cox’s Bazar. It highlights how community-led initiatives are helping both host and Rohingya communities rebuild livelihoods, strengthen social cohesion, and navigate the challenges of displacement and climate vulnerability.

Watch the video on Uttaran’s page to learn more about these inspiring journeys.

05/05/2026

A Farmers’ Field Day (FFD) was organized to display the farming of BRRI Dhan-102 by Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation and Urea Super Granule (USG) fertilizer method with the initiative of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) at Koyra upazila in Khulna.

28/04/2026

26/04/2026

For 14-year-old Sumaiya, climate change isn't a distant headline, rater it’s the force that swept away her family home and pushed her into the grueling world of hazardous labor. After years spent working in dry fish factories, she is finally trading the sting of salt and sharp fish bones for a sewing machine and a vision of a real future.

Through the Free Kids project—led by Solidar Suisse and implemented by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) under the CALL programme, children are being rescued from high-risk jobs and given a seat in classrooms and vocational centers.

Read this powerful story of resilience and how Chattogram’s climate-migrant children are reclaiming their childhoods.
Full Story-

Her movements are steady and precise. One day, she hopes to open a small tailoring shop.

21/04/2026

20/04/2026

An expert consultation on the “Critical Review and Advocacy Translation: Climate Budget Dynamics Study” was held at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro on 18th April to shape actionable recommendations and advocacy strategies for equitable climate finance allocations in Bangladesh’s national budget.

Organized by HEKS - EPER World, Bangladesh and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition under the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) programme, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland, the session gathered diverse stakeholders to review findings and discuss strategies for inclusive climate budgeting.

Key actionable recommendations from the expert consultation include:
1. Establishing an inclusive climate budgeting network
2. Creating a common vulnerability index to guide project proposals based on geographic vulnerability
3. Developing clear Means of Verification (MOV) and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems to assess the climate budget's effectiveness
4. Allocating special provisions for climate-vulnerable individuals under the Social Safety Net Programme (SSNP)
5. Introducing gender-responsive climate budgeting, especially for adaptation projects
6. Strengthening local governments for climate budget planning and implementation
7. Encouraging civil society organizations to advocate for equitable climate budget allocations
8. Integrating Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) into the Medium Term Budgetary Framework (MTBF)
9. Promoting youth participation in local climate planning, budgeting, and accountability efforts.