FAO Launches EU-Funded PRO-ACT Bangladesh Project to Strengthen Resilience in Cox’s Bazar

Cox’s Bazar, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) officially launched the EU-funded project “PRO-ACT Bangladesh: Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation” at a high-level inception workshop held at the Ocean Paradise Hotel in Cox’s Bazar. The four-year project is implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Forest Department (FD), and Department of Fisheries (DoF), and targets four sub-districts: Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Teknaf, and Ukhiya.

Funded by the European Union, the PRO-ACT Bangladesh project aims to enhance food security, nutrition, and income for farming households by promoting sustainable, climate-smart, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Key areas of support include improved horticulture production, seed supply, fisheries, and toxin-free dried fish processing, all backed by value chain development, market access, and financial literacy. The project also emphasizes disaster risk reduction and ecosystem restoration through nature-based solutions, including the development of watershed management plan, multi-hazard mapping, slope plantations, and updating the landslide early warning system—efforts aimed at strengthening climate resilience in vulnerable communities.

With a target to reach over 54,000 beneficiaries, including smallholder farmers, women, and marginalized groups, the project is firmly grounded in the principles of inclusion, sustainability, and resilience.

The launch event was graced by Mr. Md Abdus Sattar, Director, Planning, Project Implementation & ICT Wing, DAE, as the Chief Guest. Special Guests included Mr. Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Bangladesh, and a representative from the Planning Wing of the Ministry of Agriculture. Ms. Margherita Capalbi, Programme Manager – Agriculture and Rural Development, Food and Nutrition Security, EU, was also present. Ms. Rubaiya Afroz, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, chaired the event.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation in Bangladesh, said, “To achieve PRO ACT ambitions, we must work hand-in-hand with local authorities, civil society organizations, and the communities themselves. Engagement and participation from all stakeholders are vital to cultivating ownership and ensuring the sustainability of our interventions”.

Dr. Sanou Dia, Deputy Country Representative at FAO Bangladesh, reflected on the broader social and humanitarian context of the project and stated, “Projects like Pro-Act, which work on the development-humanitarian nexus, will not only strengthen the livelihood bases of vulnerable host families that bear a heavy burden from the refugee influx and improve the food and nutrition security of refugees, but will also contribute to ensuring peaceful coexistence between the host communities and the Rohingyas”.
DAE is playing a key role in implementing this project. Through technology promotion, capacity building, and coordination at the local level, DAE will work to ensure that the project’s innovations are locally owned and sustained.

In his remarks, Chief Guest, Md Abdus Sattar, Director, Planning, Project Implementation & ICT Wing, DAE, said, “In a time when climate challenges and population pressures are disrupting rural livelihoods, this partnership with FAO and the EU reflects our commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural practices that empower local communities, improve food security, and build long-term resilience”.

The inception workshop marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to transform agri-food systems in Cox’s Bazar and build a more resilient and food-secure future.