The Community-Based Adaptation Programme in Bangladesh s
One notable project was implemented under the UNDP-supported Community-Based Adaptation Programme, where rural communities in coastal and flood-prone areas of Bangladesh worked together to design solutions such as raised homestead plinths, flood-resilient crop varieties, and community-managed early warning systems. The plan was community-centered, as local committees identified priorities based on their lived experiences, ensuring it represented community values and cultural practices.
It addressed challenges like recurrent flooding and crop loss by combining traditional knowledge with technical support. Vulnerability was assessed through participatory mapping, where households identified the most at-risk areas and resources. Conflict resolution was demonstrated by engaging diverse groups—farmers, women, and local leaders—in decision-making, reducing tensions over resource allocation.
The plan met community expectations by focusing on practical, low-cost measures that directly improved safety and livelihoods. Most importantly, it contributed to adaptive capacity by building skills, strengthening social networks, and creating ownership of adaptation strategies. As a result, communities became more resilient, not only to floods but also to broader climate risks, showing how locally driven adaptation can be both sustainable and impactful.