Introduction:
Under the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) within the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), to pilot and demonstrate ways to mainstream climate resilience in development planning and management aims to improve livelihoods in the rural coastal districts vulnerable to climate variability and change by reconstructing exiting rural roads and markets as climate proofing to develop the lifestyle, economy and to increase mass awareness amongst the people to ensure more security than at present. It will also construct cyclone shelters, and improve access to markets to address acute poverty and climatic vulnerability in south-west Bangladesh.  (ii) Enhance security and safety of rural infrastructures through rural infrastructures with climate proofing standards which includes enhanced resilience to present climate effects plus forecasted future climate change impacts. (iii) Strengthen the institutional capacity of LGED, LGIs and other stakeholders through effective training and initiation of knowledge management system, with particular emphasis on climate resilience and adaptation measures during the design, implementation and maintenance of rural infrastructures assets. (iv) Create employment opportunities through project Interventions.
Components: The project has three components: a) Improved Road Connectivity: Under this component, 130 upazila roads (ADB funded), 501 km union and village roads (IFAD funded) along with associated small bridges and culverts (2,455 meters) will be built. Roads will adopt climate resilient and or climate adaptation features. Roads that benefit highest number of people, connect project markets (see below) and other important markets and remote villages will receive high priority. b) Improved Market Services: This component will build/improve physical markets (common shed, fish shed, open paved/raised area, women section, toilet bloc, internal drainage etc), build ‘commodity collection points (CCP), build boat landing platform (ghats), form market management committees (MMCs), and create employment for the poor women (LCS members). c)   Enhanced climate change adaptation capacity: a) construction or extension of 15 cyclone shelters; b) improvement of 7 existing shelters; c) upgrading 15km access tracks; and d) complementary support measures to enhance capacity for disaster preparedness.
Coverage (Geographic) & Beneficiary Number (male/female) (Latest record, indicate year): In 82 Upazilas of 12 South-western districts (Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Pirojpur, Jhalkati, Barisal, Bhola, Borguna, and Patuakhali).