The Project made much progress in raising awareness and capacity building in Year-2. The four sets of training modules (CCAT in Coastal areas and wetland as well as resilient livelihoods in two ecosystems) were prepared based on the training needs assessed (TNA) through baseline study and stakeholders consultation on CCAT and climate resilient livelihoods. The TNA the need for considering the views of the poor, women and women stakeholders through FDGs and consultations in both ecosystems. Series of training sessions (108 session in Satkhira and 108 sessions in Sunamganj=216) were organized on adaptation technologies (focusing on water and agriculture sectors) to build awareness and capacity of the poor women, men and socially disadvantaged groups. Each training session included 25-30 participants: poor women and members of the socially disadvantaged and disaster affected families. Most of them were selected from the list of the Social Safety Net programme of the local government, by the Union Parishads and DWA, Upzila office. The trainings on climate resilient livelihoods focused on income-generating activities and livelihood diversifications for the poor women and socio-economically disadvantaged groups. A total of 108 training sessions (54 sessions each in two districts) on IGA and climate resilient livelihoods for the poor were organized in the year-2. A summary report of the local training on both CCAT and Resilient Livelihood & IGA in two districts has been included in appendix-6.

• Development of Training Modules on CCAT and Resilient Livelihoods:

Considering the climate stresses and social contexts in coastal and wetland areas, two separate training modules were developed on Climate Change Adaptation Technologies (CCAT) in small agriculture and water sectors. The modules and the session plans were developed with relevant photos and diagrams considering the training needs expressed in the TNA with a key focus on the issues related to adoption and implications of adaptation technologies in water and agriculture that may contribute to empowerment of women (by reducing their risk & burden but increases benefits) and promoting social equity and justice.

The modules were based on earlier experiences of BCAS and DWA and were produced in poster forms so that the field staff could facilitate the sessions in village contexts at a courtyard, or at a community place in the locality. The main contents of the CCAT module include: linkages between weather and climate change; causes of and impacts of the human induced rapid climate changes with local examples; agricultural practices in coast and wetland basins; impacts of climate change on agriculture and water (sources, quality and availability of water for drinking, domestic uses and hygiene practices); promising adaptation practices and technologies in small agriculture, home garden and WASH; roles and responsibilities to develop and disseminate the CCAT in agriculture, water, DRR and health risk management; and the challenges of women empowerment and steps by the family and community. Please see a training module developed on CCAT in appendix-5.

Considering the climate change impacts in the localities and social drivers affecting the poor, women, socially disadvantaged groups and disaster affected communities, two separate training modules were also developed and implemented on climate resilient livelihoods for the two ecosystems. The climate resilient livelihoods options were proposed in the contexts of growing salinity, cyclone, sea level rise, water logging and drought in the coastal district. Frequent floods, early monsoon flash floods, river bank erosion, drought, cold waves and fog were considered in the North-eastern wetland while developing climate resilient livelihoods options for the poor, women and socially disadvantaged groups. The training contents included: current livelihood strategies and options in both coast and wetland areas; possibility and constraints of diversification of livelihoods of the poor and women; impacts of climate change and disasters on livelihood assets, options and outcomes; level of risk and vulnerability by gender and social categories; climate resilient-livelihood options in on-farm activities in agriculture, fisheries, poultry, cattle raining, NR-based livelihood; climate resilient-livelihood option in non-farm activities such as small trade and business led by women, handicraft, mobile phone servicing, local service providing in poultry and cattle raising, and nursery of sapling.

• Capacity Development Training on CCAT and Resilient Livelihoods :

In the capacity building and skill development training, the participants were drawn from the rural poor, marginalized population and disadvantaged women who participated in the SAKTEE projects baseline survey, in different governmental and social security beneficiary programs, in the department of women’s affairs beneficiaries, union councils and in the department of social work beneficiaries. Around 6,000 poor women and men, girls and the heads of the socially disadvantaged families attended the training on climate change adaptation technologies and climate resilient livelihoods. A total of 324 training sessions on CCAT as well as on climate resilient and alternative income generation activities (IGA) were held during the 3rd and 4th quarters of Year-2 . To build the capacity of the trainers, two separate ToT programs were organized in Dhaka at BCAS office during 9-11 January 2021 for the facilitators of the Satkhira workshop, and during 8-10 March 2021 for the facilitators of the Sunamganj workshop. In this training, 4 facilitators attended for Satkhira District and 4 facilitator’s attendant for Sunamganj District with the help and management of the experienced trainers who were capable to conduct it successfully.

Training sessions were held at the community places (courtyard, school premises and community centres) with 20-25 participants in each session. The posters in the training modules were displayed for sharing information, ideas and exchange of views of the participants. Experience sharing and storytelling on the relevant issues were encouraged during the training session for enhanced Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) relation to gender responsive adaptation and resilient livelihoods. Please see the details on training sessions and number of participants in the following tables-4 & 5.

Table-4: Number of Training Sessions organized in two Districts

A total of 324 training sessions were organized in Shyamnagar, Kaliganj Upazilas of Satkhira District and Jamalganj and Dowara Bazar upazilas of Sunamganj District. Among them,  216 were on Climate Change Adaptation Technologies (CCAT) and 108 were on Income Generating Activities (IGA). A total of 3,898 women were trained in 216 CCATs training programs and 1,497 women and 452 men have been trained in 108 IGAs training sessions.

Table-5: Number of Participants those who received training in two Districts

A total number of 5,846 participants attended the 324 training sessions in Shyamnagar and Kaliganj upazilas of Satkhira District and Jamalganj and Doara Bazar Upazilas of Sunamganj District. Among them 3,898 were women who took part in the 216 CCATs training sessions. Another 1,497 women and 452 men gained skills in IGA through 108 training sessions on resilient livelihoods.

Awareness raising activities included forming a Knowledge Management Network on climate change, and gender and social inequity; Use of community radios for dissemination of knowledge on gender differentiated impacts, vulnerability and adaptation technologies. The women stakeholders, youths and university students were engaged in regional level awareness raising and policy forums for empowerment of women and disadvantaged groups. As part of awareness and youth engagement, the ICCCAD has organized two workshops in Khulna and Sylhet in the district head quarters on Climate Change, Gender and Social Equity with the youths and the students of the regional universities.