Women in rural Bangladesh context
Coastal Resilience Initiative

Dheupar
Prosperity Network

Empowering 1,500 households in the coastal belt through community-owned Resilience Hubs that integrate learning, enterprise, and advocacy.

The Coastal Crisis

In Satkhira and Khulna, salinity intrusion and cyclones are eroding livelihoods. Women bear the heaviest burden but lack access to finance and decision-making.

Climate Shock

Rising sea levels and salinity are destroying farmland and freshwater sources, forcing male migration and leaving women behind to manage households.

Systemic Exclusion

Despite being first responders to climate impacts, women are excluded from adaptation planning, finance, and local governance.

Target Reach: 1,500 Households

Focus: 200 Women Entrepreneurs leading change.

Community meeting in Bangladesh
Implementing Agency

Why BARCIK?

Founded in 1997, BARCIK combines 25+ years of experience in Satkhira and Khulna with a deep commitment to indigenous knowledge.

  • Deep Local Legitimacy: Trusted by LGIs and farmers.
  • People-Led Methods: Experts in peer-to-peer learning.
  • Strong Governance: NGOAB registered and compliant.

The Dheupar Solution

Three interconnected pillars implemented through community-owned Resilience Hubs.

1. LEARNING

Agroecology Learning Centres (ALC)

  • Hubs demonstrate saline-tolerant crops and rainwater harvesting.
  • Local women serve as Community Champions.
  • "Men as Partners" dialogues to build family support.

2. ENTERPRISE

Women’s Enterprise Seed Fund

  • Managed by Women’s Asset Management Committees (WAMCs).
  • Finances 200 women entrepreneurs.
  • Based on Rapid Market Assessment (e.g., seedling nurseries).

3. ADVOCACY

Policy & Budget Inclusion

  • Evidence generation via Community Scorecards.
  • Presentation at Local Adaptation Forums.
  • Goal: Integration into LGI development plans.

Projected Impact

Targets for Month 36

1,500
Households
Resilient
200
Women
Entrepreneurs
+40%
Income
Increase
3
LGIs Adopting
Practices

Additional Key Indicators:

  • 1,500 households adopt ≥2 climate-resilient techniques.
  • +30% improvement in Food Consumption Score.
  • 5 distinct techniques integrated into LGI formal budgets.
  • Hub Sustainability Funds operational by Year 3.

Monitoring & Learning

01

Participatory MEL

A system tracking learning, enterprise, and policy outcomes using simple digital tools.

02

Evaluations

Baseline Survey (Y1), Midterm Review (Y2), and Final External Evaluation (Y3).

03

Knowledge Products

Publication of the "Dheupar Toolkit" in Year 3 for replication.

Risk Management

  • Climate Risk Diversification of crops/techniques and maintenance of contingency funds.
  • Market Saturation Prioritizing hyper-local markets and diverse product lines based on RMA data.
  • Social Resistance "Men as Partners" dialogues to ensure safe spaces and support for women's leadership.