Bangladesh

Agriculture is a vital sector for Bangladesh, with almost half its population working in this field and more than 70% of its land used for crops. Unfortunately, farmers face challenges due to climate change, such as soil fertility loss, water scarcity, and limited access to information and technology, which negatively affect their livelihoods.

Practical Action has vast experience in sustainable agriculture, helping small farmers access essential information, technology, and markets to improve their practices. By collaborating with farmers, businesses, and government agencies, we aim to ensure small farmers can adapt to the changing environment and access the resources they need to grow their businesses.

Our efforts also extend to supporting small farmers who live in vulnerable areas, such as those near rivers or coasts, where climate change impacts are more severe. We work with these farmers to help them adapt and thrive in the face of challenges.

Energy has the power to transform our lives. Yet not all of us have access to it -and women and children bear this brunt. Traditional cooking practices cause indoor air pollution, mainly affecting them. Cleaner cooking offers an excellent opportunity to improve health and lessen the environmental impact, as it can reduce fumes and deforestation.

With experience in providing affordable and accessible clean cooking solutions to people in rural and urban areas, we work with different groups to create a market for last-mile entrepreneurs and promote technical innovations. In addition, we incorporate digital solutions to reach the most vulnerable people and remove barriers to equal participation.

To further our impact, we have joined forces with the Household Energy Platform, a national program, to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the country’s energy needs. This plan entails the distribution of clean cookstoves to the most vulnerable individuals while empowering entrepreneurs, particularly women, to establish businesses focused on producing and selling clean cookstoves. By 2025, we plan to reach 60 rural villages with 5k clean cooking stoves.

Additionally, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise with government entities and local partners to expand the scope of our impact.

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. The country has already experienced significant impacts from climate change, including displacement of people, damage to infrastructure and loss of agricultural productivity.

Practical Action focuses on helping communities vulnerable to weather hazards to protect their lives and livelihoods and support them in preparing, managing and recovering from these impacts. Early warning and guidance through various channels such as SMS and phone calls, farmers skilled in climate-resilient techniques, organised communities and weather forecasting are some of the pillars of our work.

We also collaborate with government agencies to promote environmentally friendly farming practices and assist communities in becoming more resilient, facilitating the connection between local and national actions.

By 2025, we will help over 40k coastal and flood-prone individuals (at least 50% women) reduce their loss and damage. In addition, we aim to help 100k people at risk, providing ways to protect the environment and adapt its impacts in a way that works for everyone. Geographically, we’ll focus on the northwest and southern regions.

Managing faecal sludge safely and effectively is crucial to a healthier and more sustainable environment. In Bangladesh, without access to proper sanitation facilities that can treat this waste properly, it winds up in open sewers, rivers, or agricultural fields, damaging the environment and endangering human health. Those living in informal settlements and temporary refugee communities are the hardest hit.

With inadequate sewing systems, addressing this waste management is a big challenge that requires bold collaboration. Practical Action works with low-income communities, neighbourhood organisations, and town-wide federations to create inclusive, climate-resilient waste and sanitation programs that protect public health and the environment. Additionally, we collaborate with waste and sanitation worker cooperatives to help them develop entrepreneurial skills and improve their working conditions.

We promote technical and digital innovations that resist flooding, capture and share learning, and influence national policies to take these benefits broader than the scope of our projects.

Our efforts have resulted in significant achievements in Farirdpur, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Gazipur, and Gaibandha. Through our initiatives, we have positively impacted the lives of pit emptiers and cleaners, providing them with better incomes and working conditions.