Every year during the storms, we lived in fear, not knowing when our house might collapse on us. But since receiving the house from the project, we are now living safely.– Pakul Khatun, Dacope, Khulna

I earned an additional 6,000 taka this year from growing ginger. While cultivating it in sacks, I realized that with the right technique, even a small space can bring a good return.– Razia Begum, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Cox’s Bazar

The river once swept away my past, but the RHL project has given me a future to build with crab cultivation. I am no longer just a victim of climate change, I am a producer of change. – Nurjahan Begum, Charfassion, Bhola

Building resilient in the coastal area in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is on the high list of countries most vulnerable to climate change. Around 22% of the country’s population living in 19 coastal districts is at the highest level of climate risk. The vulnerability of coastal people is characterized in three ways: 1) poor human settlement in low-lying areas; 2) climate-sensitive livelihood; and 3) scarcity of safe drinking water.

To reduce the climate-induced vulnerability of the most vulnerable coastal communities of Bangladesh and to enhance their resilience along with alternative livelihoods, PKSF initiated the “Resilient Homestead and Livelihood Support to the Vulnerable Coastal People of Bangladesh (RHL)” project with the funding support of Green Climate Fund (GCF). The RHL project was approved at the 36th Board Meeting of GCF, and subsequently, PKSF signed the FAA on 16 July 2023. The FAA was effective from 17 August 2023, and PKSF received its 1st disbursement on 27 September 2023.

Project Goal

The primary goal of the Project is to develop a climate-adaptive coastal community in Bangladesh by adopting climate-resilient housing and livelihood technologies. The Project will also enhance the capacity of communities and organizations to address climate change impacts in their localities.

Key Objectives

  • To develop climate-resilient homesteads for marginal vulnerable communities in the southwest coastal zone of Bangladesh;
  • To develop climate-adaptive livelihoods for coastal vulnerable communities; and
  • To enhance knowledge and awareness of the coastal vulnerable communities on climate change issues.

Implementation approach:

PKSF plays a dual role in the implementation of the RHL project, as the Accredited Entity and the single Executing Entity of the Project. To implement the project, PKSF has established a Project Management Unit (PMU) and initially deployed the necessary official personnel from its core team, who were later replaced by recruiting project staff.  

The RHL Project is being implemented in twenty upzilas of seven coastal districts, namely Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, and Cox’s Bazar. These areas were selected based on their high vulnerability to sea level rise, salinity intrusion, coastal flooding, cyclones, and storm surges.

The project is being implemented through 18 Partner Organizations (PO) serving as Implementing Entities (IEs). IEs were selected through a rigorous process to ensure maximum transparency and accountability, compliance with the selection criteria of Implementing Entities outlined in the Funding Proposal. PKSF entered into relevant service agreements with the IEs, which set out their respective responsibilities in relation to the project implementation. Each of the IEs established a PMU at its local office.

To ensure the selection of more than 0.3 million project participants, around 3,200 Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises were conducted. These exercises helped identify climate-vulnerable populations based on the detailed eligibility criteria described in the project documents. The project has also developed a detailed Socio-Economic profile of its beneficiaries. Beneficiaries were organized into 3200 Climate Change Adaptation Groups (CCAGs), community-based groups supported by IEs. CCAGs work as the centre for all decision-making and select eligible participants for various project activities based on their vulnerabilities and livelihood needs.

Major Activities:

Design and building of homesteads

Project Target: 3000 Homesteads

Progress as of May 2026: 1,597 Homesteads

The RHL project is building climate-resilient homesteads in coastal areas to protect vulnerable families from floods, cyclones, and tidal surges. Each home is built on a raised plinth with reinforced concrete, safe sanitation, rain water harvesting system, solar power, and improved stoves—ensuring safety, health, and sustainability.

Homestead tree planting

Project Target: 400,000 trees

Progress as of May 2026: 190,496 trees

The RHL project plants trees around homesteads as green windbreakers, managed directly by the beneficiaries to protect their homes and surroundings from storms and cyclones. Alongside this, project plant trees on roadside and school plantations transforming coastal areas into greener, more resilient spaces. Species such as coconut, guava, sapodilla, wood apple, betel nut, and neem not only enrich the environment but also support livelihoods. Beneficiaries received garden trellis nets to ensure healthy tree growth and sustainability.

Construction of slatted houses for goat/sheep rearing

Project Target: 20,000 slatted houses

Progress as of May 2026: 10,276 slatted houses

To improve hygiene, reduce disease risks among livestock, and enhance beneficiaries’ livelihoods, the project is constructing slatted houses for goat and sheep rearing. Before construction, beneficiaries are systematically selected and trained on the proper use and maintenance of these structures to ensure effective and sustainable management

Introduce the cultivation of saline-tolerant vegetables within homestead areas

Project Target: 20,000 get support

Progress as of May 2026: 8,728 beneficiary supported

The project supports beneficiaries in cultivating saline-tolerant vegetables in homestead areas to improve food security and livelihoods in salinity-affected regions. Beneficiaries receive seasonal seeds of tomato, eggplant, red amaranth, kangkong, and turnip, along with ginger for sack cultivation. The project also provides seeds, seedlings, nets, and watering cans to promote vegetable cultivation using the bed method, ensuring sustainable household production and better nutrition in coastal communities.

Development of crab hatcheries (1st stage)

Project Target: 50 micro hatcheries

Progress as of May 2026: 03 hatcheries

To ensure a reliable source of crab larvae and reduce dependency on wild collection, the project is developing crab hatcheries that support ecosystem balance. This initiative creates new income opportunities for local farmers and contributes to sustainable, climate-resilient livelihoods in coastal areas.

Technical and financial support for “crab nurseries” (2nd stage)

Project Target: 500 nurseries

Progress as of May 2026: 106 nurseries

The project supports beneficiaries in developing crab nurseries to ensure the healthy growth of crab larvae before they reach for fattening. These nurseries help reduce pressure on natural crab stocks while creating sustainable income opportunities for coastal families and promoting environmentally responsible aquaculture practices.

Technical and financial support to “crab farmers” (3rd stage)

Project Target: 20,000 beneficiaries

Progress as of May 2026: 7,926 beneficiaries

The project provides technical and financial support to beneficiaries for crab cultivation to enhance income and livelihood opportunities for coastal families. Beneficiaries are trained in sustainable crab farming practices, including cage and pen culture techniques, to ensure healthy growth and higher yields.

Monthly group meetings on climate change issues for CCAG

Project Target: 192,000 meetings

Progress as of May 2026: 69,480 meetings

To raise awareness on environmental and climate issues and enhance community engagement, the RHL Project has formed 3,200 Climate Change Adaptation Groups (CCAGs). Each group meets monthly and serves as the hub for decision-making, selecting eligible participants based on vulnerabilities and livelihood needs.

 

Key Achievements

  • Proven Resilience: 50,000+ Houses damaged across 7 coastal districts by Cyclone Shakti (May 29, 2025). 700 families were kept perfectly safe in RHL-constructed climate-resilient homes within those same districts.
  • Earthquake Defied: When a 5.4 Richter scale earthquake struck Asashuni, Satkhira on 27 February 2026, the project’s brick-built, disaster-resilient houses successfully withstood the shaking and remained entirely undamaged.
  • Overcoming Coastal Constraints: By introducing sack ginger cultivation in 2025 to bypass salinity and land scarcity, the project enabled 6,188 beneficiaries to produce 166,785 kg of ginger. This innovation generated BDT 35.96 million in total earnings, providing a vital average income of BDT 5,877 per household.
  • Breakthrough in Crab farming: The project successfully transported crablets from Cox’s Bazar to Shyamnagar (long distance). This milestone ensures a highly reliable supply of healthy, hatchery-produced crablets for remote farmers.
  • Climate-Smart Livestock Protection: By introducing raised slatted-floor (machang) housing, the Project supported 10,276 vulnerable families in safe goat and sheep rearing, significantly reducing livestock mortality from waterlogging, disease, and extreme weather.

RHL Project Event Calendar

14 July 2023

FAA Signature

03 August 2023

Project Management Unit Formation

17 August 2023

FAA Effective

27 September 2023

Receive 1st Disbursement from GCF

03 December 2023

Project Staff Recruitment

Oct-Dec 2023

Develop Beneficiaries Selection/ eligibility Criteria

Oct-Dec 2023

Stakeholder Consultation

September’23 – February `24

Selection of Implementation Entities

October 2023

Procurement of Goods

November 2023 –January 2024

Project Implementation Guideline Development

29 January 2024

Project Inception Workshop

19 February 2024

Selection of IEs completed

March 2024

Project activities started at the Field level

Project Implementing Entities

Implementing Entity (IE)

Name of the district

Name of the Upazila

Get updates

Ad-din Welfare Center

Khulna

Dacope

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571660074205

BASTOB- Initiative for People’s Self-Development

Cox’s Bazar

Moheshkhali 

https://www.facebook.com/share/18JhfzCjw8/

COAST Foundation

Cox’s Bazar

1.Cox’s Bazar Sadar

2.Kutubdia

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GTfrNWPou/

Community Development Centre (CODEC)

Patuakhali and Barguna

1.Rangabali

2.Patharghata

https://www.facebook.com/share/1LDCqSRT9p/

DAM Foundation for Economic Development (DFED)

Barguna

Barguna Sadar

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559400203294

Poribar Unnayon Songstha (FDA)

Bhola

1.Charfassion

2.Monpura

https://www.facebook.com/fda.rhl.project

Grameen Jano Unnayan Sangstha (GJUS)

Bhola

1.Bhola Sadar

2.Borhanuddin

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BK3u1sqfh/

HEED Bangladesh

Patuakhali

Kalapara

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587025207771

Integrated Development Foundation (IDF)

Cox’s Bazar

Chakaria

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575711222301

Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF)

Khulna

Koyra

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574513981578

Nabolok Parishad

Bagerhat

Mongla

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GX3CgEsyj/

Nowabenki Gonomukhi Foundation (NGF)

Satkhira

Shyamnagar

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HwArsXnsw/

Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF)

Bagerhat

Morrelganj

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576364934213

Social Assistance and Rehabilitation for the Physically Vulnerable (SARPV)

Cox’s Bazar

Chakaria

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590455465582

Society for Development Initiatives (SDI)

Cox’s Bazar

Teknaf

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575584797722

Satkhira Unnayan Sangstha (SUS) 

Satkhira

Shyamnagar

https://www.facebook.com/sus.rhl.project

Unnayan Prochesta

Satkhira

Assasuni

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FdPRiir8F/

Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)

Cox’s Bazar

Ramu

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572243674841&_rdc=2&_rdr#

Documents and Publications