The British Council’s PROKAS programme have recently hosted a training on capacity enhancement for climate-financed projects. PROKAS (Promoting Knowledge for Accountable Systems) programme is continually seeking opportunities in a wide range of sectors, to build on Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth and development while also helping the country deal with adversities, such as impacts of climate change.
The training was titled ‘Social Audit on Climate Financed Projects’ and was held for members of the Climate Forum on 19 – 20 November. It was delivered with the help and partnership of Coastal Association for Social Transformation Trust (COAST Trust).
The overall goal of the two-day training was to increase the efficiency and utilisation of funds for climate change – from both the government and private donors – in tackling the negative impacts of climate change in Bangladesh. To achieve that objective, which is an integral part of PROKAS’s Climate Governance Project and its commitment to SDG: 13 on Climate Action, partner organisation COAST Trust facilitated local civil society groups to formulate Climate Forum. The members of the forum are involved in the social auditing of different projects addressing climate change impacts across Bangladesh. ‘Social Audit on Climate Financed Projects’ training has been conducted to improve their capacity so that they can engage with the concerning stakeholders with positive engagement approaches to bring about sustainable solutions to the impacts of climate change.
A total of 25 participants (male 13, female 12) had joined the training from four sub-districts of Patuakhali. Climate change and its impact, climate finance transparency, social accountability, social monitoring etc. were the main topics of the training. ‘The training was a very good one,’ said Md. Ansar Uddin, a member of climate forum, Dashmina upazila, Patuakhali district. ‘We have learned many new engagement techniques from the training, which will help up better approach stakeholders in our assessment of a climate issue. Now we are far more confident to work for and within our community.’
PROKAS is an innovative programme that brings together the Government of Bangladesh, civil societies and the private sectors to bring about positive change to improve the lives of Bangladeshis.