Call for Proposals
Background
Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP) is a strategic and innovative initiative designed to support the Government of Bangladesh in implementing its flagship policy, the Standing Order on Disaster (SOD) 2019, through a multi-stakeholder partnership model at the national and sub-national levels. This program seeks to strengthen disaster management coordination across the country by employing a holistic ‘Whole-of-Society’ approach. By uniting government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, and the private sector, BPP aims to significantly bolster disaster preparedness and response efforts in the country. BPP in Phase 2 facilitates collaboration among diverse national stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors, to ensure a unified approach to disaster management. In addition, it enhances preparedness at the sub-national level by targeting local communities for hazards such as cyclones, floods, and landslides. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), BPP receives technical guidance from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and financial backing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
BPP is launching locally-led action research to enhance disaster resilience in Cox’s Bazar, Kurigram, and Bagerhat. This initiative focuses on developing innovative, community-driven disaster preparedness solutions by blending local knowledge with modern technology, enabling these communities to better withstand floods, cyclones, and landslides. With an emphasis on inclusive disaster risk reduction, the research encourages the active participation of vulnerable groups, ensuring that preparedness strategies meet the needs of all community members.
Through the identification of scalable interventions, the research will uncover practical solutions that can be adapted across diverse regions, broadening their impact and applicability. By fostering the adoption of localized tools, such as community-specific early warning systems and resilience-enhancing practices, the initiative supports sustainable and community-led disaster preparedness. The project will further produce evidence-based policy recommendations, offering actionable insights to guide policy adjustments and strengthen disaster management frameworks aligned with local realities.
Objectives of the Action Research
Locally-led action research aims to identify specific research problems and develop innovative, practical, and scalable solutions or recommendations to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in the vulnerable communities of Cox’s Bazar (highly vulnerable to Cyclone, landslide and flash flood), Kurigram (highly vulnerable to flood), and Bagerhat (highly vulnerable to cyclone). This research will be led by academic institutions and local organizations, ensuring academic rigor and relevance while focusing on understanding local challenges and formulating evidence-based solutions and strategies tailored to the unique vulnerabilities of these regions.
The objective of this action research is to identify and develop locally-driven, innovative solutions that enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in Bangladesh by integrating community-based approaches, inclusive practices, and technological innovations.
Expected Outcome
The outcome of the Locally-Led Action Research includes:
- Innovative, Community-Driven Solutions: Develop disaster preparedness strategies that blend local knowledge with modern technology to enhance resilience to hazards such as floods, cyclones, and landslides.
- Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction: Encourage active participation of vulnerable groups, ensuring that disaster preparedness efforts address the needs of all community members.
- Scalable Interventions: Identify practical solutions that can be implemented in diverse regions, fostering adaptability and broader impact.
- Adoption of Localized Tools: Encourage using tools that enhance resilience in at-risk communities, supporting sustainable and localized disaster preparedness.
- Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations: Produce actionable insights to inform policy adjustments, effectively supporting disaster management frameworks.
Research Design and Implementation
The research aims to turn findings into actionable strategies, ensuring solutions are based on evidence and fit the community context, leading to innovative and effective approaches to disaster preparedness and resilience. The grant supports creating and applying solutions based on both primary and secondary research, focusing on practical ways to meet community needs in disaster resilience.
Geographical Scope
Bangladesh’s geographical location makes it highly susceptible to various natural hazards. The target areas – Cox’s Bazar, Kurigram, and Bagerhat—face distinct vulnerabilities that can range from low-attention disasters to being regularly impacted by large-scale disasters:
- Cox’s Bazar: highly vulnerable to Cyclone, landslide and flash flood
- Kurigram: Susceptible to riverine floods and seasonal erosion
- Bagerhat: Exposed to cyclones and storm surges due to its coastal location
The proposed research projects targeting one of the above-mentioned districts will aim to address low-attention disasters and showcase maximum impact for the at-risk communities.
Thematic Areas
Locally-Led Action Research for Disaster Preparedness and Resilience in Bangladesh focuses on “bringing out innovative, community-driven solutions to address local challenges posed by disasters.” To achieve this outcome, applicant should focus on one of the below mentioned theme:
- Community-Led DRR and Preparedness for Response
- Ensuring inclusivity in Local Community Engagement: Explore methods to engage all community members, especially vulnerable groups (women, the elderly, children, and persons with special needs), in disaster preparedness planning, examine barriers to participation, and identify inclusive strategies.
- Mobilizing Community Capacity through Innovative Approaches: Innovative methods to strengthen community preparedness for disasters and identify the locally driven practical approaches that empower communities for DRR.
- Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Adaptation
- Enhancing Eco-friendly Approaches for Disaster Preparedness Initiatives: Design feasible and impactful eco-friendly practices for reducing local disaster risks, explore approaches to reduce impacts of disasters, and involve communities in planning and maintaining these natural solutions.
- Preparedness for Community Resilience
- Reducing Disaster Impact through Diversified Livelihood: Promoting diversified livelihood approaches for disaster resilient communities to reduce vulnerabilities and accelerate post-disaster recovery.
- Strengthen Community-Level Disaster Governance: Strengthening community based institutional governance systems for managing disasters through the research initiative.
- Technological Innovations for Resilience
- Introducing Digital Tools for Warning Systems with Accessibility: Explore digital warning tools focusing on accessibility for all community members and evaluate these tools to improve early warning dissemination and increase community responsiveness to hazards.
- Building Resilient Information Management System: Robust, community-centered information management systems that facilitate timely sharing of disaster-related information and effective information flow for disaster preparedness and response.
Grant Amount
Each selected locally-led action research proposal will receive up to $3,000 to support proposed research and actions, subject to approval based on the technical and financial components of the proposal.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only applicants from one of the specified districts and respective division are eligible to submit proposals, including:
- Research Organizations: Institutions focused on disaster management, climate change, or resilience research.
- Local NGOs: Organizations with a proven track record in community-based disaster risk reduction.
- Civil Society Organizations: Groups involved in local disaster management or advocacy.
- Community Organizations: Grassroots organizations engaged in disaster risk reduction or climate adaptation.
- Private Sector Organizations: Local private sector entities with relevant expertise and experience
- Demonstrate prior experience in disaster preparedness and resilience, supported by relevant project examples and references.
- A thorough understanding of Bangladesh’s environmental and socioeconomic issues.
- Proficient in writing research proposals, reports, and presentations.
- Openness to diverse opinions and respect for the community.
- Women-led organizations, are also encouraged to apply.
How to Apply?
Applicants must submit their required documents and Proposal Narrative mentioning the title “Action Research:” in the subject line and send the application to bpp@adpc.net by 15 December 2024 (On or before 5.00 PM Bangladesh Time). Required documents include:
- Cover letter
- Proposal Narrative (Download Proposal Narrative Template)
- Copy of NID/ Passport
- Copy of Relevant academic certificates.
- Evidence on implementing similar work.
Note: Hard copies and late submissions will not be accepted.
