Mapping of Agents of Change and Stakeholders Working on Environment and Climate Change related resilience

Sweden has developed a new strategy for its development co-operation with Bangladesh which most likely will cover the years 2014-2020. As part of that process the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka needs a number of assessments and inputs such as a series of studies briefly mapping out stakeholders (organisations, agencies, enterprises and so on) in the proposed areas for future co-operation. Bangladesh is one of the most risk-exposed and vulnerable countries of the world, and many of the risks and crises are related to the environment and climate change. To handle the challenges facing Bangladesh and increase the country’s resilience, both individuals and institutions need enhanced capacities. Contributing to address these resilience-related development challenges will be a key priority area in the future Swedish Results Strategy for Bangladesh. Resilience is the ability of an individual, a community, a country or a region to anticipate risks, respond and cope with shocks and stresses, while addressing the underlying root causes of risks, recover, and continue to develop. Resilience depends on the existing levels of:

• Human and social capital
• Infrastructure and service accessibility
• Livelihood availability and financial capital
• Effective institutional governing system

Inadequate access to, or low quality of, the above factors reduce the capacity to prevent and manage risks, and increases vulnerability. Thus, working to enhance environment and climate change resilience in Bangladesh will entail addressing these factors from a risk and vulnerability perspective. ORGUT was assigned to map agents of change and stakeholders working on environment and climate change related resilience.