GIZ Bangladesh

👍 Germany to Provide 9.5 million Euro to Bangladesh for Biodiversity and Climate-Smart Urban Development projects ✍ The Government of Bangladesh and the Government of Germany formalised the agreement by signing a couple of MoUs on 10 December 2024. The projects are valued at 9.5 mil. Euro. Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Dr Andreas Kuck, Country Director, GIZ Bangladesh, signed the MoUs on behalf of the two governments.   The two projects getting the go-ahead are (i) Innovations for Climate-smart 🍃 Urban Development (INCLUDE) and (ii) Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Financing for Sustainable Management of the Sundarbans 🐊 and Restoration of Coastal Ecosystems in the Bay of Bengal (SUNDAR-BAY). The projects are expected to contribute to Bangladesh's efforts to propel climate-smart urban development and strengthen its biodiversity conservation initiatives. #cooperation #urbandevelopment #biodiversity

Strengthening Community Action to End GBV in Bangladesh The Access to Justice for Women (A2J) Project, implemented by GIZ, organised a series of dialogues in under the theme “Strengthening Legislative Framework to Prevent Violence Against Women” from 25 November to 10 December. The dialogues held in Barishal, Cumilla, Khulna, Narsingdi, and Rangpur were conducted as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. They aimed to identify joint actions to build violent free communities in Bangladesh. These dialogues brought together judges, legal aid officers, police, public prosecutors, women’s rights organisations, teachers, and marginalised groups. Participants discussed key challenges, including the lack of compliance with High Court directives to form sexual harassment prevention committees. They resolved to establish these committees in their organisations without further delay. The dialogues emphasised the need for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), awareness programmes in schools, equal property rights for Hindu women, and the importance of female investigation officers handling violence cases. Ms. Shahina Begum, Advocate at the One-Stop Crisis Center, Rangpur, noted: “Counseling is very important for the survivors in the initial stage to increase the mental strength and recovery from trauma. The survivors of women and children will recover from trauma by proper counseling.” She also highlighted the 📞government hotline 109 as a vital resource for those seeking assistance. These dialogues reaffirm the importance of community-driven initiatives and legislative enforcement in building a safer society for all. The recommendations and commitments provide a clear roadmap for meaningful reforms and immediate action. 🧡 Together, we stand against gender-based violence. #genderbasedviolence #16daysofactivism

Facilitating Access to Justice to End Gender-Based Violence   🎗️ We are proudly taking part in the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.  As part of this vital initiative, the Access to Justice for Women (A2J) Project, implemented by GIZ, and its partner NGOs are hosting dialogues at the community and district levels. These forums aim to identify actionable solutions to prevent violence against women and promote safe, inclusive communities. Participants from various sectors, including civil society, the transgender community, local government, and opinion leaders, came together to discuss and tackle the complex challenge of gender-based violence. Highlighting the need for unified efforts, they emphasised that GBV is a pervasive issue that demands concerted action to create a violence-free environment.   “We will increase the active participation of men, women, and adolescents to break the cycle of violence and discrimination against women and girls,” shared Mahamuda Begum, a dedicated community activist and Restorative Justice Facilitator trained under the A2J project to advance access to justice in her community. Following animated discussions, participants committed to several concrete measures: 👏 Supporting survivors with accessible medical and legal aid.                                                 👌 Raising awareness through community-led initiatives and courtyard meeting 👯  Empowering girls to prevent early marriage and promote self-reliance. 🤝  Strengthening collaboration among stakeholders for coordinated and effective support.   These initiatives will increase support to victims of gender-based violence and will contribute to building violent free communities across Bangladesh. #GBV #Accesstojustice #16daysofactivism

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🦈 Workshop series on better Marine Conservation in Bangladesh GIZ and the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) recently organised a series of kick-off workshops on the planning and management of the SoNG Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other MPAs in Bangladesh. The workshops were conducted in Khulna (24 November), Chattogram (28 November) and Dhaka (3 December) on the initiative of the "Integrated Management of the Sundarbans Mangroves and the Marine Protected Area “Swatch of No Ground (SoNG)”, project. 🌱The workshops brought together a diverse group of stakeholders as well as national and international experts to identify capacity needs for those who are involved in and responsible for the planning and management of MPAs in Bangladesh.   Stakeholders including from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), Department of Fisheries (DoF), Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Blue Economy Cell, BIMRAD, BORI, BFDC, Industrial Fishers, artisanal fishers, sea port authorities (Mongla & Chattogram), Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, Tour Operators Association of Sundarbans (TOAS), academics, and NGOs took part in the workshop. The interactive group work, reflections and feedback sessions with all stakeholders brought forth valuable insights for sustainable marine conservation and stakeholder engagement in Bangladesh. #Marineprotectedareas #marineconservation #swatchofnoground

🌍 Exploring Best Practices in Skills Development for Sustainable Energy Solutions in Europe A delegation from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 comprising GoB officials from the energy and skills development/Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sectors as well as representatives from private sector associations visited Germany 🇩🇪 and Denmark 🇩🇰 from 9 to 16 November. The delegation, which included staff members from GIZ, traveled to Hamburg, Flensburg, and Copenhagen to engage with experts in the renewable energy 🌞 and energy efficiency ♻️ sectors, particularly focusing on strategies to develop a qualified workforce for the energy transition 🌐. Key topics of the discussions included: 📘 Dual education system, 🤝 Public-private collaboration, and 🎓 Effective approaches to lifelong learning and upskilling. During the trip, the delegation met with representatives from leading institutions involved in both initial and continuing workforce development for sustainable energy solutions. These included: 🏢 Hamburg Chamber of Commerce 🎓 TÜV Nord Academy 💡 Vocational School for Energy Technology Altona (BS22) 📚 Flensburg University of Applied Sciences ⚡ Danish Energy Agency 🌍 United Nations’ Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency, among others. The study trip provided a unique opportunity to explore best practices and proven strategies for building a skilled workforce to support the energy transition of Bangladesh. The insights gained 💡 will inform and inspire future initiatives in Bangladesh, helping the country advance its commitment to a sustainable energy future 🌱. #TVET #Sustainableenergy #skilledworkforce

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🚀 Empowering Women through Skills Development!    Bangladeshi women face significant structural barriers to participate in the income generation workforce. Compared to men, they are less likely to engage in skills development and more likely to be unemployed.    The participation of women in skills development measures and in the labour market is however considered as key to economic development. This can be achieved by enhancing women's employment opportunities, and their economic and social empowerment through skills programs and employment promotion.   📜 Today, the Governments of Bangladesh and Germany officially kicked off the implementation period of the Skills Training and Employment Promotion for Women Workers in Bangladesh (ADVANTAGE) project!   🎯 The project will work to empower disadvantaged young women through: ✅ Gender-responsive and labour market-oriented skills training. ✅ Women’s empowerment and gender equality awareness. ✅ Innovative strategies and guidelines designed with the National Skill Development Authority (NSDA).  ✅ Collaboration with local civil society to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusive workforce participation.   🤝 We’re partnering with:  🔹 Training institutions in the greater Dhaka area.  🔹 Specialist ministries offering qualifications.  🔹 Private sector, NGOs, and international partners.   🌈 Together, we’re shaping a future where women thrive in skills training and the workforce!   #WomenEmpowerment #SkillsDevelopment #GenderEquality #TVET #Bangladesh #Collaboration #Innovation #WomenInWorkforce #SustainableDevelopment

It is Time for the Leather Sector to adopt Clean Energy in Bangladesh 🌞 On 13 November 2024, the Project Development Programme (PDP) of the German Energy Solution Initiative commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) hosted an online briefing session in collaboration with the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB). The webinar highlighted promoting the adoption of rooftop solar projects in the leather sector. 🥿👞 Key highlights: 🔆 The potential of solar energy in terms of Bangladesh’s geographic advantage 🔆 The potential of solar energy as a sustainable solution for the energy needs of the leather and footwear manufacturing sector 🔆 PDP’s advisory services were also elaborated to the participants from member factories of the association 🔆 PDP showcased some of its successful solar PV projects implemented in different industries, illustrating the potential energy savings and environmental benefits 🌍🔋 An engaging discussion on PDP’s approach for conducting feasibility studies, including site assessments, shading analysis, and system design to ensure an optimal solar system was discussed along with addressing the questions of the member factories that they raised in the session. As part of this collaboration, LFMEAB will identify and collect expressions of interest from its members interested in the support offered by PDP. #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Bangladesh #EnergySolutions #ClimateAction #SolarPV #GreenEnergy #PDP #BMWK #LFMEAB #RooftopSolar #EnvironmentalBenefits 

🌍🌿New funding opportunity for local climate action! 📝💰Up to 200,000 euros for local climate and biodiversity action 📅✅ Local organisations in ODA-eligible countries can apply for funding until 15 January 2025 IKI Small Grants has launched its 6th International Call for Proposals. Local organisations ready to make an impact are invited to step forward and apply for funding with ideas for projects on climate or biodiversity conservation. IKI Small Grants provides funding between EUR 60,000 and 200,000. Project proposals can be submitted until 15 January 2025. Further information including the funding information and application guidelines can be found at https://lnkd.in/d8zsmUkj Apply now! #climateaction #funding #climatechange #adaptation #biodiversity #mitigation #ngo #bmwk #aa #bmuv #giz