In the first phase of the LoCAL-UNCDF in Bangladesh, the local government in the Upazila of Godagari started a range of awareness and capacity building activities. In Nimtola village, the project provided the villagers a safe testing ground for eco-friendly technologies, including solar panels (with PCU and a community grid), a biogas system and improved cooking stoves. In tfhe process, the community learned about climate change issues and their motivation to adapt to the changing climate has grown exponentially after seeing the results and counting the benefits.
The fan is turned on and beams a cool breeze inside the room. A six month old baby is sleeping on the bed. The smiling young mother, Mrs Sri Lata Rani, explains that she does not have to pay for the electricity - as it is provided by a community solar grid supported by the LoCAL-UNCDF project.
Apart from keeping the baby cool, the electrical fan prevents mosquitoes from getting near the baby - potentially saving the family from costly health problems.
Mrs Sri Lata Rani uses solar power to keep her baby cool and safe @LoCAL-UNCDF, Photo: C.Jancloes 2016
The community solar grid brings many other benefits to the 13 families in Nimtola village: Rani explains that she also uses the system to light up her room when she cooks, but that it is very important to recharge their batteries, to keep their phones running and it also gives the young students light to read for a few extra hours at night.
Rani’s husband, Mr Sri Dinobondhu Mondal was appointed by the village to keep the system in good working condition. ©LoCAL-UNCDF, Photo: C.Jancloes 2016
On top of these valuable benefits, the community also connected with LoCAL’s mechanism and started working on their own plans: the villagers hope the solar system can produce energy for the next 15 to 20 years - if the equipment is well managed.
A Solar Power Conditioning Unit that transforms and re-dispatches electricity to the 13 houses connected on the community grid. So they decided to set up a village revolving fund to maintain the solar grid system. Each month, each family gives around 25 cents to the fund. The money is used to buy new fuses and batteries or to fix any problem that could arise with the equipment.
LoCAL’s mechanism focuses on adaptation at the grassroots. Interestingly, in this first pilot phase, the input of new mitigation technologies has united people to embrace climate change issues. The villagers want to integrate climate change adaptation and are asking for more ideas from the project staff and local governments. The experience has brought everybody closer together to address adaptation at the grassroots.
Solar power grid in Nimtola village
©LoCAL-UNCDF Photo: C.Jancloes 2016
Nimtola villagers show their support
©LoCAL-UNCDF Photo: C.Jancloes 2016
Many children benefit from solar power in Nimtola village
©LoCAL-UNCDF Photo: C.Jancloes 2016
At local government level, the result is similar. The Upazila of Godagari started to address climate change in an unprecedented way. Through the testing of various technologies and approaches, they were able to learn and refocus their approach. Importantly, they started to engage with communities to discuss, exchange and define priorities together. Mr Khalid Hossain, Godagari Upazila Executive Officer explains how the planning allowed them to allocate funds and better prepare for future climate needs. After piloting 6 projects, the Upazila is now prepared to scale up to address the region's key climate issues.
