Building Climate Resilience Through Partnerships

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been working in Bangladesh since soon after the country gained independence, helping rebuild the nation and supporting development. From the very beginning, UNDP has focused on working together with local governments, communities, and other development partners. 

Similarly, UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)'s mission is to contribute to job creation, sustained economic growth, and equitable prosperity. This teamwork has helped tackle challenges like poverty, governance, and climate risks. One initiative, the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC), shows how working together at the community level can create real, lasting change.

A great example is the solar-powered irrigation and canal repair project in Sarankhola Upazila, Bagerhat District. This project was launched through LoGIC, a collaboration between the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP, UNCDF, Sweden, and Denmark. It shows that when responsibilities and expertise are shared, communities can successfully address climate-related challenges.

The project started with local farmers speaking to the Upazila Chairman about water scarcity and salty soil, which were hurting their crops. These concerns were discussed and recorded in local government meetings. The Upazila Agriculture Officer then assessed the land to make sure the project would work and bring real benefits. 

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) helped get approvals, coordinated land use, and set up a management committee that includes farmers and women from the community. This committee now runs the irrigation system every day, showing how involving local people strengthens ownership and accountability. 

Sudipto Kumar Singh, UNO, Bagerhat mentioned, “The Canal Re-excavation and Solar Irrigation Scheme is a proud achievement for Sarankhola, proving how local leadership, community participation, and climate-smart technology can transform lives. By improving productivity, food security, and incomes, this initiative is building resilience and self-reliance for our people.”

Technical support came from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), whose engineers managed the procurement, vendor selection, and construction, ensuring the work was done on time and to high standards. At the district level, the Deputy Director of Local Government (DDLG) of Bagerhat, Dr. Md. Fakhrul Hasan, oversaw the project to make sure it followed all rules and that funds were used transparently. 

He said, “This solar-powered irrigation scheme is a climate-resilient solution that boosts crop production, strengthens food security, and restores livelihoods in Sharankhola. With community-led management and women’s active participation, we are ensuring sustainability while advancing our national vision for rural prosperity.”  

“Through the LoGIC project collaboration, LGED is implementing demand-based, climate-resilient infrastructures like culverts, concrete roads, water treatment plants, and irrigation drains. These initiatives help Sharankhola’s people adapt to climate change and improve their quality of life and livelihood.” shares Fazlay Rabbi, Upazila Engineer(LGED), Sarankhola.

Nazrul Islam, a local farmer, says, “We are glad to be part of this project. It has helped our farming and improved our community’s livelihood.” Today, the project’s scheme, worth BDT 3 million (USD 24556) benefits 65 farmers and has turned 20 acres of previously barren land into productive farmland.

The success of Sharankhola shows that when communities, government officials, and development partners work together, they can create practical, climate-resilient solutions that improve lives. By listening to local needs, providing technical support, and ensuring proper management, this project is helping people grow food, protect their land, and adapt to a changing climate.

This is how UNDP, together with the government, development partners, and local communities, turns collaboration into lasting climate-resilient solutions that improve lives and protect livelihoods in Bangladesh

Clean energy, fertile land, resilient communities.