ICRH Program
Integrated Coastal Resilience Hubs (ICRH)
A community-led, science-based initiative to build a sustainable and resilient future for coastal Bangladesh.
0
Resilience Hubs Established
0
People Empowered
0
Community Projects Funded
The Challenge: A Critical Gap in Coastal Resilience
While national strategies exist, their effective translation to the grassroots level often falters. Coastal communities in Bangladesh face systemic barriers that perpetuate cycles of poverty and displacement, hindering their ability to build proactive, long-term resilience.
Fragmented Efforts
Adaptation initiatives are often siloed and project-based, lacking comprehensive integration across livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems at the community level.
Limited Local Ownership
Top-down approaches frequently fail to account for unique local vulnerabilities and traditional knowledge, leading to unsustainable interventions.
Barriers to Finance
Vulnerable communities struggle to access climate finance due to complex application processes and a lack of technical capacity.
Knowledge-to-Action Gap
Despite awareness of risks, practical skills for effective, localized adaptation are often lacking, hindering proactive responses.
Disproportionate Impact
Women, youth, and marginalized groups bear the brunt of climate impacts but often have limited voice and agency in adaptation planning.
Reactive Cycles
Without integrated hubs, communities often react to disasters rather than building long-term resilience, perpetuating vulnerability.
Our Solution: The Integrated Coastal Resilience Hub (ICRH) Model
The ICRH model is a community-driven, holistic approach. We establish decentralized hubs that act as nerve centers for local climate action, knowledge, and finance, ensuring resources and decision-making power are vested directly within affected communities.
The Hub
A Community-Led Center for Climate Action
Risk Assessment
Participatory analysis of local climate risks and capacities.
Livelihood Training
Developing climate-smart skills for economic resilience.
Green Infrastructure
Implementing nature-based solutions for protection.
Climate Finance
Facilitating access to micro-grants and funding.
Empowerment & Advocacy
Amplifying the voices of women and youth in policy-making.
Program Components
The ICRH program is built on five interconnected components, each designed to address a critical aspect of building community resilience. Explore the tabs to see how these components work together to create a comprehensive and sustainable impact.
1. Community-Based Climate Risk Assessment & Local Action Planning
This component ensures that all interventions are locally relevant and owned by the community. We facilitate a process where communities identify their specific climate risks and co-develop practical, evidence-based Local Climate Action Plans (LCAPs).
- Conduct Participatory Vulnerability & Capacity Assessments (VCA).
- Co-develop Local Climate Action Plans (LCAPs).
- Establish community-managed data systems to track climate impacts.
- Integrate with national and local early warning systems.
2. Climate-Smart Livelihood Diversification & Skill Development
We empower communities, especially women and youth, with the skills needed for economically viable and climate-resilient livelihoods. This reduces dependency on climate-sensitive activities and improves food security.
- Train members in salt-tolerant agriculture, aquaponics, and sustainable aquaculture.
- Develop eco-tourism and alternative income sources.
- Provide entrepreneurship and business development support.
- Offer certified vocational skills training.
3. Green Infrastructure & Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Implementation
This component focuses on using and enhancing natural ecosystems to provide protection against climate impacts. These community-managed projects are cost-effective, sustainable, and deliver multiple co-benefits for biodiversity and well-being.
- Implement mangrove reforestation and restoration projects.
- Introduce floating gardens and climate-resilient housing designs.
- Install rainwater harvesting and improved drainage systems.
- Strengthen coastal embankments using bio-engineering techniques.
4. Community Climate Finance & Access Facilitation
We bridge the gap between grassroots needs and available climate finance. This component builds local capacity to access, manage, and deploy funds for self-driven adaptation projects, ensuring financial sustainability.
- Establish transparent "Coastal Resilience Funds" within each hub.
- Train local leaders and CSOs on applying for national and international climate funds.
- Create linkages between community projects and larger funding opportunities.
- Explore partnerships for climate-resilient micro-insurance.
5. Women's Leadership, Youth Engagement & Policy Advocacy
This cross-cutting component ensures that the voices of the most vulnerable are at the center of climate action. We build leadership skills and create platforms for women and youth to influence policy and drive change from the ground up.
- Conduct specialized leadership training for women in climate action.
- Establish a "Youth Resilience Ambassadors" network.
- Organize multi-stakeholder policy dialogues to channel community needs to policymakers.
- Document and share best practices to promote replication and scaling.
Our Goals & Phased Timeline
The ICRH program is guided by clear, ambitious goals and a structured, phased approach to ensure measurable progress and long-term impact. The timeline below visualizes our key milestones on the path to 2030.
Long-Term Program Impact
The ultimate success of the ICRH program is measured by the lasting, positive changes it brings to coastal communities and ecosystems. Our vision is a future where resilience is ingrained in the social, economic, and environmental fabric of coastal Bangladesh.
Enhanced Climate Resilience
Significantly reduced vulnerability of coastal populations, leading to more secure livelihoods and less climate-induced displacement.
Empowered Communities
Creation of self-reliant and adaptive communities capable of proactively addressing climate challenges and driving their own development.
Sustainable Ecosystems
Restoration and protection of vital coastal ecosystems, enhancing their natural protective services and biodiversity.
Equitable Governance
Increased voice and agency of vulnerable groups in climate policy and resource allocation, fostering more just and inclusive climate action.
Alignment with Global Goals
The ICRH program is strategically designed to contribute to the global agenda for a sustainable future, directly supporting the UN Decade of Ocean Science and multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A Clean & Healthy Ocean
UN Decade Challenges 1 & 2
Through improved waste management and mangrove restoration, we reduce pollution and enhance ecosystem health.
A Productive & Predictable Ocean
UN Decade Challenges 4 & 8
By promoting climate-smart livelihoods and local risk assessment, we support a sustainable blue economy and predictable responses.
An Accessible Ocean
UN Decade Challenge 9
Our hubs make climate and ocean knowledge accessible to the communities who need it most, empowering local decision-making.
An Inspiring & Engaging Ocean
UN Decade Challenge 10
At its core, the ICRH program fosters a deeper connection and stewardship ethic between communities and their coastal environment.