ACCEFS Project

Adapting to Climate Change and Ensuring Food Security (ACCEFS) Project

Project/Program Name	Adapting to Climate Change and Ensuring Food Security (ACCEFS) Project
Working Area	Upazila Assasuni (Assasuni Sadar, Budhata, Sreeula, Kadakanthi, Kulla); Upazila Kaligonj (Tarali, South Sreepur, Bishnopur, Mothurespur, Kushulia)
Duration	January 2024 to December 2028
# of Beneficiaries	Total Beneficiaries: 18,530 (Direct: 5,000; Indirect: 13,530). During the project period, an additional 2,000 adolescents will be reached.
Vision/Goal	By the end of December 2028, 3,000 families from the marginalized community will have adapted to cope with the effects of climate change and natural disasters, maintaining food security and promoting green livelihoods.
Objectives	Establish a sustainable, safe water management and accessible system with hygiene practices in the targeted community Improve sustainable livelihoods through green IGAs and adaptation to saline-tolerant climate-smart technologies and DRR Adolescents of the target community are socially and economically empowered with adaptation to climate change
Impact	% of targeted HHs cross the poverty line % of targeted population with acceptable food consumption score (FCS) # of people affected by hazardous events in the past year
Outcome	% of targeted HHs follow the promoted water savings measures 80% of cases ensure water quality for safe drinking water % of targeted HHs reduced waterborne diseases 70% of targeted HHs increased their income by 20% from baseline 60% of targeted HHs correctly promoted climate-resilient adaptation measures 70% of targeted HHs started green IGA or expanded an existing one 80% of established community groups adopted and implemented DRR strategies 70% HHs aware of promoted adaptation measures 60% of targeted families adopted environment-friendly technologies in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, etc. % targeted adolescents have improved life skills % trained adolescents started home-based green IGAs % early marriage, gender-based violence, trafficking, etc., reduced in the targeted community % adolescents with improved knowledge to cope with environment and climate change issues
Key Activities	Adolescent Empowerment: Shonglap Centre establishment, animator training, DRR training, awareness classes, IGA training, environment clubs, sports & cultural competitions, seedling distribution, waste management Climate Resilient Water & Sanitation: RWH tanks, desalination plant, capacity building of CSP and participants on environment & DRR Green IGAs: Capacity building on agriculture, livestock, saline-tolerant homestead crops, poultry & duck rearing, goat & sheep rearing, tree plantation, crab cultivation, pond fish culture, handicrafts, eco-friendly packaging, and entrepreneurship development

Successful Case Studies

1. Empowering an Adolescent with Visual Impairment — Champa Das

Champa Das, an adolescent girl from Kachua South Das Para village, is a member of the Karnaphuli Shonglap Forum under the ACCEFS Project. Born with visual impairment, she faced barriers to formal education but remained determined to live an active and meaningful life.

Through regular forum participation, she found a safe environment to interact with peers, build relationships, and learn about adolescent health, rights, nutrition, environmental conservation, and climate change adaptation. She now participates confidently in discussions, supports family livelihood activities such as duck/chicken rearing and homestead gardening, and no longer sees herself as incapable because of disability.

“The Shonglap Forum has given me the confidence to express myself and connect with others... Today, I believe that I can overcome challenges and build a bright future for myself.”

2. Sheuli Mondal – Transforming Potential into Leadership

Sheuli Mondal from Mariyala Village, Sriula Union, Assasuni Upazila, joined the Hazarakhali Ichamati Shonglap Center as an ordinary participant. Through dialogue sessions, leadership development, and awareness campaigns, she became a Peer Leader and later President of the Upazila Apex Body Committee.

Today she serves as an Animator at the Shonglap Center under SUS, mentoring adolescent girls, facilitating sessions, and advocating against child marriage while promoting education, gender equality, and adolescent rights. Her journey demonstrates how sustained mentorship and youth engagement can create community-level change.

3. Selina Khatun’s Journey Towards Self-Reliance

Selina Khatun from Sekendar Nagar village in Kaliganj Upazila is a member of the Gandharaj Women’s Group. Her husband’s limited income as a van puller made it difficult to support their family of five.

After project training on climate-resilient IGAs—including salt-tolerant vegetable cultivation, poultry and duck rearing, goat and sheep farming, and small-scale fish culture—she diversified homestead livelihoods and strengthened household food security. She now contributes meaningfully to family income and decision-making, and inspires other women in her community.

4. Growing Assets, Growing Confidence — Ratna Sarkar

Ratna Sarkar, a member of the Rajanigandha Women’s Group from Harddaha village, started with only two goats and three chickens after receiving livelihood training. She gradually expanded to twelve goats and eleven chickens, added fish culture and homestead gardening, constructed a hygienic latrine, and continues earning through tailoring.

Her diversified livelihood options have improved living conditions and resilience. She continues working toward full economic independence and encourages other women to pursue similar opportunities.