MENU
back
en
GO4IMPact (G4I) is setting the foundation for stronger, climate-resilient local governance through its district-level inception workshops in Satkhira and Naogaon. Supported by the Embassy of Switzerland and implemented by the WaterAid–Swisscontact consortium with local partners Rupantar and ESDO, these events mark a significant step towards more inclusive, effective service delivery in Bangladesh’s climate-vulnerable regions.
In Satkhira, the workshop on 23 April 2025 brought together Local Government Institutions (LGIs), deconcentrated government departments, youth groups, academia, NGOs, private sector representatives, and media. Discussions emphasized inclusive planning, system strengthening, and collaboration between public and private actors in waste management.
Masruba Ferdous, Deputy Director, Local Government (Deputy Secretary), stressed, “Development planning should match real needs, local contexts, and the capacity of our local institutions.”
Participants echoed the need for continuous awareness campaigns, realistic development interventions, and empowering women in governance, resonating strongly with the Swiss Cooperation Programme’s priorities on climate resilience, governance, and sustainable services.
“Women in our communities are deeply involved in daily water collection and managing household waste. Yet we are rarely consulted on how these services should work. If local governments truly want inclusive and sustainable systems, then our insights should be treated as indispensable, not optional." - underlined by an elected women LGI representative in Satkhira.
Building on this momentum, a second inception workshop was held in Naogaon on 27 April 2025. Organised jointly by the Naogaon District Administration and ESDO, with WaterAid–Swisscontact support, the event convened LGIs, government departments, NGOs, civil society, private sector, youth, and media representatives.
Mohammad Abdul Awal, Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Naogaon, underscored, “The Union Parishad is the strongest tier of local government. We must leverage their experience to ensure every citizen receives quality services. Project stakeholders should focus on climate-resilient policies and drive real change through integrated water and solid waste management.”
Across both districts, participants demonstrated a shared commitment to collaboration, local ownership, and climate-smart development, which lies at the heart of GO4IMPact’s mission.