Locally Led Action for Coastal Resilience
The Sundarban Coalition works with communities and local organisations to strengthen disaster preparedness, climate resilience and inclusive development in coastal Bangladesh.
Our work is grounded in local knowledge, community participation and collective action. Coalition members work closely with communities, local government institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to identify priorities and develop practical, locally appropriate solutions.
How We Work
The Coalition uses a participatory and member-led approach. Communities are engaged in identifying risks, analysing needs, setting priorities and reviewing proposed actions.
Member organisations bring these priorities into the Coalition’s planning process. The Secretariat supports coordination and consolidation, while relevant governance bodies review and approve major plans and budgets.
This approach helps ensure that Coalition-supported initiatives are locally relevant, transparent and accountable.
Joint Action Plans
Joint Action Plans, commonly known as JAPs, are a central part of the Coalition’s approach. They bring together community priorities, member expertise and coordinated action within a shared planning framework.
The Joint Action Plan process generally includes:
- Identifying climate- and disaster-vulnerable locations
- Consulting communities and relevant stakeholders
- Assessing risks, needs and existing resources
- Developing locally appropriate activities and budgets
- Reviewing proposals through Coalition processes
- Approving consolidated plans and budgets
- Implementing activities through member organisations
- Monitoring progress and gathering community feedback
- Documenting results, learning and recommendations
Joint Action Plans promote collective ownership, improve coordination and help reduce duplication among organisations working in the same areas.
Our Areas of Work
Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness
The Coalition supports community-led disaster preparedness and risk reduction. This includes strengthening early warning, evacuation preparedness, local response capacity, community awareness and coordination with Disaster Management Committees and relevant government authorities.
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Coalition members work with climate-affected communities to identify and implement practical adaptation measures. These actions help communities address salinity, flooding, waterlogging, livelihood disruption and other climate-related challenges.
Inclusive and Accessible Infrastructure
The Coalition promotes safer and more inclusive access to essential community facilities and services. Initiatives may include improving access to cyclone shelters, supporting climate-resilient infrastructure and strengthening water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
Particular attention is given to the needs of women, children, older people, persons with disabilities and other groups who may face additional barriers during disasters.
Climate-Resilient Livelihoods
The Coalition supports locally appropriate livelihood initiatives that help vulnerable households strengthen income security and cope with climate-related shocks.
These initiatives are designed through community consultation and may include skills development, livelihood inputs, climate-adaptive practices and stronger connections with relevant services and markets.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
Women, girls, young people, persons with disabilities, Indigenous communities and other marginalised groups are encouraged to participate meaningfully in planning and decision-making.
The Coalition promotes gender equality, safeguarding, non-discrimination and inclusive leadership throughout its programmes and organisational processes.
Community Accountability and Safeguarding
Community feedback is an important part of programme quality and accountability. The Coalition promotes accessible complaint and feedback channels, confidentiality, responsible information management and protection from exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Local Governance and Advocacy
Coalition members engage with Union Parishads, Upazila administrations, government departments and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination and encourage public investment in community priorities.
The Coalition also uses evidence and community experience to support advocacy on disaster resilience, climate adaptation, inclusion, environmental protection and locally led development.
Organisational Development
Strong local organisations are essential for sustainable, locally led action. The Coalition supports member organisations to improve governance, financial management, programme quality, safeguarding, accountability, reporting and resource mobilisation.
This support helps members manage programmes and resources with increasing independence, transparency and effectiveness.
Learning and Collaboration
The Coalition promotes learning across member organisations and communities. Monitoring findings, community feedback, programme experience and good practices are documented and shared to improve future planning and implementation.
Through collaboration and peer learning, members strengthen their collective ability to respond to changing risks and support resilient coastal communities.
Phase III
The current phase, “Locally Led Disaster Risk Reduction in the Bangladesh Coastal Region, Phase III,” runs from March 2025 to February 2027.
Phase III focuses on strengthening community reach, disaster readiness and climate resilience while developing the Coalition’s governance, institutional systems, member capacity, resource mobilisation and pathway towards greater independence.