My recent addition to ICCCAD’s CAP-RES project team as a Project Officer – Youth has opened up new learning experiences for me. CAP-RES’s focus on capacity-building and climate innovation among youth immediately caught my interest, especially through ICCCAD’s Youth Fellowship Program and the Youth Innovation Fund. So, when an opportunity came by to visit some of the funded youth initiatives and gain firsthand insight into how young people are driving climate resilience in Bangladesh, I immediately raised my hand!
Although, I had collaborated with organizations like Badhon in Bagerhat and HEAD in Satkhira previously, I had never visited the southern districts before. I was ecstatic to finally experience the renowned land of Chuijhal and the Sundarbans on my first trip there!
The Journey Begins – From Dhaka to Khulna
The field visit began on October 28, 2024, when Sumaiya Binte Selim, Gausia Islam Keya, Md Al Mamun Rakib, and I from ICCCAD set out from Dhaka, energized by the prospects of meeting inspiring young innovators. Driving across the country’s green landscape, I got my first glimpse at the iconic Padma Bridge, connecting the southern part of Bangladesh to Dhaka.
By afternoon, we arrived in Khulna and met Jubayer Hasan Shoikat, a member of the youth-led social enterprise Tetra. After having lunch with Khulna’s renowned Chuijhal meat to indulge in the taste of the local culture; we headed for Dakop.
Supported by the Youth Innovation Fund, Tetra established a water treatment plant in Dakop’s Botbunia village to provide safe drinking water for the community. This plant operates on an innovative ATM-style system where residents can access pure water at a nominal cost of 0.50 taka/liter using a digital card. The project employs a profit-sharing model that not only sustains the plant but also engages a community member to oversee operations and recharge the digital cards.
This initiative struck me as a powerful example of how localized, tech-enabled solutions can address climate-induced challenges, such as water scarcity and salinity, in remote communities. 60 families now enjoy 24/7 access to safe water, which is ultimately contributing to their health improvements and economic opportunities.
Later on, we returned to ADAMS Integrated Training Institute at Khulna and shared experiences over a relaxed dinner.
Empowering Local Youth Through Eco-Art and Climate Education
Our next day, October 29, took us to Batiaghata to witness the impact of Eco Narratives, an initiative by Sumi Khatun, a 2024 Youth Fellow and recipient of the Innovation Fund. Eco-Narratives utilize different artworks to encourage local youth to come forward regarding raising climate awareness and advocate for environmental justice.
We arrived at Amtala Govt. Primary School located by the bank of Shoalmari River where students were engaged in an art competition focused on climate change. I was moved when I saw these young minds pouring their thoughts on canvases, connecting their art to climate change. I was moved by their enthusiasm as despite living in a region highly affected by climate change, their enthusiasm remained at its peak. This program helped to provide a certain degree of understanding of the puzzling effects of climate change to these bright young individuals in a creative way to which they can relate. Each participant received painting materials and selected winners were awarded gifts as a gesture of appreciation. Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn about climate change bring out the importance of such initiatives in shaping young minds towards a more climate change-resilient future.
After the event, Mr. Mithun Boiragi, one of the local school teachers joined us for tea. He highlighted the degree of resilience his young students show every day as they survive through potable water shortages and other climate changed-induced challenges. He emphasized the role of quality education can capacitate the youth of this generation to address climate change-related issues more comprehensively.
After overseeing the initiatives by Sumi’s team, we went ahead to enjoy a second round of Chuijhal mutton at the Abbas Hotel, a local culinary landmark in Khulna. The local flavors started to grow on me, almost mirroring the connections we were developing with the local communities and their ways of life. As the sun started to set, we began our journey towards the Barsa Resort located in Shyamnagar, Satkhira. The raw beauty of the coastal landscape kept us captivated.
The morning of October 30 was marked by scenic views along the Chuna River, reminding us of the rich natural resources that coastal communities depend on and strive to protect. It was the perfect energizer that we needed to head on to the day!
Youth Activism for Climate Justice in Satkhira
Our first meeting of the day was with members of YouthNet Satkhira, a previous Youth Innovation Fund recipient from 2023. This network arranges capacity development initiatives for local youth and connects them to advocate for climate justice, engaging in activities like monitoring environmental threats and mobilizing community protests.
Md. Hafizur Rahman and Imam Hosen, core team members along with others, shared inspiring stories of how YouthNet mobilizes young activists to address environmental harms, such as preventing illegal tree-cutting along embankments.
Their dedication, and the respect they’ve earned from the community, showed how youth-led activism can create powerful local alliances for conservation and sustainability. Jubayer Mahmud, a local journalist as well as a YouthNet volunteer said-
“Previouly we didn’t know much about climate change and now our knowledge on these issues has developed. If anyone from our network faces problem to protest against harmful activities for environment, we all try to extend our hand to support each other. We are also trying to raise awareness on the superstitions about ‘Bagh Bidhoba’(Widows from tiger attack)”.
Community Climate Adaptation Center: Lighting the Way for Resilience
Our next stop took us across the Kholpetua River, where we met Jannatul Mouwa, Executive Director from Bindu Nari Unnayan Sangtha.
Her initiative, funded by the Youth Innovation Fund 2024, established a Community Climate Adaptation Centre (CCAC) at B.K. High School in Padmapukur. This center equips students in classes 7 and 8 with knowledge on climate change and resilience strategies. Her team managed to install 3 solar panels to ensure electricity supply during the times of emergency when the school serves as a community shelter.
These initiatives have shown their worth during the periods of natural disasters. The solar panels help to power electrical commodities including lights, ceiling fans, and chagrining outlets for phones and other communication devices. This project appeared to be quite adaptive, adjusting to meet both educational needs and provide support during the emergencies. It highlights how youth-led innovation bolster community resilience and improve the perception of the community regarding youth-focused projects.
After multiple productive meetings we went back to our resort where we were offered soft-shelled crab fry, a local delicacy representing one of the principle income source of that community. The rooted flavors and the shared stories over the dinner brought a memorable ending to a productive day spent with rising climate activists.
A Final Stop: Exploring Satkhira’s Heritage
On 31st October, the final day of our field visits, we went to the office of Jannatul Mouwa at Kaliganj. We were moved by the cordial warm hospitality that she showed. We are accompanied by Shawon bhai from “Bindu”, and together we roamed around Kaliganj. There we visited a local fish market named “Macher Kata” where different types of fishes’ native to the local region are sold. We also went to visit a potential river port development site at Basantapur at the junction of the Ichhamati, Kalindi, and Kakshiali rivers, situated at a close proximity to the Bangladesh-India border. There we saw the abandoned Jomidarbari of Raja Banasta Roy and marveled at its structural remains from a time long gone by.
Reflections: A Journey of Learning and Inspiration
As we made our way back to Dhaka, the experiences and conversations from the field visit stayed with me. Seeing how young people in coastal Bangladesh are taking ownership of climate adaptation efforts underscored the importance of the Youth Innovation Fund’s mission. Through initiatives like Tetra’s water ATM, Sumi’s climate education through art, YouthNet’s activism, and Jannatul’s adaptation center, we witnessed the creativity, resilience, and dedication of these youth-led projects. Witnessing how these young leaders are using limited resources to build resilience in their communities left me inspired and motivated. It underscored the need to support and empower youth voices in climate action, key goal of ICCCAD’s Youth Innovation Fund.
About the Authors: Afsana Alim works as a Project Officer at ICCCAD.
