EU Launches Project to Strengthen Bangladesh Grassroots Climate and Human Rights Advocacy

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A new project funded by the European Union was launched in Dhaka on Sunday, aimed at strengthening grassroots civil society organizations to bolster climate justice, environmental protection, and human rights across Bangladesh. The initiative, titled “Empowering Civil Society for Climate Justice and Environmental Protection,” is being implemented through a consortium including Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Educo, Manusher Jonno Foundation, and Uttaran.

The project intends to improve the institutional and advocacy capacities of local organizations while fostering collaborative networks to drive inclusive, community-led climate action. By prioritizing the rights of populations most vulnerable to environmental shifts, the partners aim to ensure that development efforts effectively address the ground-level realities of climate change.

During the national-level workshop marking the launch, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Begum Habibun Nahar, underscored the government’s commitment to result-oriented climate initiatives. She noted that the administration remains dedicated to supporting projects that deliver tangible, positive changes for the country and its citizens, while acknowledging the European Union’s ongoing financial support.

Edwin Koekkoek, a representative from the European Union in Bangladesh, reaffirmed the bloc’s dedication to promoting human rights and inclusive development through active civic engagement. He emphasized that the project serves as a commitment to ensuring climate interventions reach those who need them most, helping to build a more resilient future.

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Representatives from the implementation consortium highlighted the necessity of collaborative action. Welthungerhilfe Country Director Jonas Woehl stressed that the success of the program would be measured by the strength of the partnerships and the mutual trust built between stakeholders, rather than mere operational output. Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, added that the goals of the project are too complex for any single entity to achieve alone, requiring deep cooperation between civil society, local government, and community groups.

The inaugural session featured insights from community members impacted by climate change, providing a firsthand account of the challenges faced in vulnerable regions. The event was attended by high-level government officials, development partners, environmental experts, and youth leaders, all of whom discussed the essential role of grassroots empowerment in the broader national effort to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation.