Empowering for Resilience

Pioneering Climate Action in Gaibandha

A holistic, three-pillar program designed to build lasting resilience for the riverine island (char) communities by integrating disaster preparedness, renewable energy, and sustainable livelihoods.

Project plan awaiting final signoff

Our Three Pillars of Resilience

A: Disaster Preparedness

Strengthening community defenses through proactive training, nature-based solutions, and establishing gender-sensitive facilities to protect lives and assets from climate shocks.

B: Renewable Energy

Ensuring sustainable futures by providing access to clean and reliable solar energy, unlocking potential in education, economic activity, safety, and health.

C: Resilient Livelihoods

Empowering communities through climate-focused vocational training in green tech and climate-smart agriculture to create diverse, sustainable income streams.

Our Implementing Partner: Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK)

Established in 1985 in the disaster-prone northern district of Gaibandha, GUK is a non-governmental development organization dedicated to creating a just, inclusive, and resilient Bangladesh. With a people-centered approach, GUK has grown into a prominent organization focused on empowering marginalized communities, particularly women and children.

Core Strengths & Capabilities

Deep Community Presence

A people-driven approach focused on riverine chars, displaced populations, and minorities.

Holistic & Integrated Model

Interconnected sectors covering social development, finance, business, and humanitarian response.

Empowerment over Aid

Focuses on building economic self-reliance through skills and entrepreneurship ("Release not Relief").

Humanitarian Expertise

Decades of disaster response, aiding approx. 1.5 million families nationwide.

Governance & Accountability

Transparent structure with councils and over 2,400 dedicated staff members.

Significant National Reach

Programs implemented across 18 districts, 66 Upazilas, and 3 City Corporations.

Key Initiatives, Programs & Social Enterprises
Financial Inclusion Programs

(Serving over 60,000 families)

Jagoron (Awakening):

Core microfinance initiative.

Agrosor (Move Forward):

Focused on enterprise development.

Sufolon:

Promotes livestock and agriculture.

Social Businesses & Enterprises
  • GUK Hospital
  • GUK Diagnostic & Physiotherapy Centre
  • GUK Institute of Engineering & Technology
  • Dainik Ajker Janagan (Daily Newspaper)
  • Super Tasty (Consumer Products)
  • GUK Printers
  • GUK Training Center
Collaborating Partners & Donors

GUK collaborates with a wide range of government, national, and international partners, including:

ActionAid

Australian High Commission

BRAC

British Council

Concern Worldwide

DanChurchAid

DPHE

Embassy of Japan

EKN

FAO

HELVETAS

ILO

IOM

Islamic Relief-USA

MJF

OXFAM

PKSF

Plan International

Save the Children

Solidar Suisse

UNDP

UNFPA

UNICEF

UNOPS

WFP

WaterAid

Welthungerhilfe

World Bank

Year 1 Performance Dashboard

Disaster Plan Awareness

Community members who can identify key actions from the disaster plan.

Target: 75%
Bathing Cubicles Built

Safe, private, and functional gender-sensitive facilities for women and girls.

Target: 10
Solar Homes Installed

Households with new, functional solar home systems providing clean energy.

Target: 500 HH
Participant Income Boost

Trained participants reporting a >30% income increase.

Target: 60%

of 50 participants

Interactive Budget Calculator

Total Budget: BDT 10,520,326

Pillar B: Renewable Energy 71.3%
View Breakdown
Household Solar Systems (30Wp) BDT 7,500,000
Pillar A: Disaster Preparedness 19.6%
View Breakdown
Community Response Kits BDT 895,000
Nature-Based Solutions BDT 647,250
Gender-Sensitive Facilities BDT 522,790
Pillar C: Resilient Livelihoods 3.0%
View Breakdown
Vocational Training BDT 232,000
Climate-Smart Agri Training BDT 81,200
Management, reporting and logistics 6.1%
View Breakdown
Volunteer Remuneration (30%) BDT 192,626
Management Monitoring (20%) BDT 128,417
Stationaries & Assoc. Costs (15%) BDT 96,313
Documentation (15%) BDT 96,313
Beneficiary Selection (10%) BDT 64,209
Communication (10%) BDT 64,209

Project Roadmap

  1. Phase 1: Foundation (Year 1) Current

    Implement 'Char Udayan' in target unions, achieve KPIs, and refine the integrated model.

  2. Phase 2: Deepening (Years 2-3)

    Expand the model to adjacent char unions and introduce new complementary pillars.

  3. Phase 3: Scaling (Years 4-5)

    Replicate the model in other vulnerable districts and engage in national policy advocacy.