Project profile — Biodiversity ecosystems restoration for community resilience in the CHT region

This project aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation and build resilient ecosystems and communities. It benefits over 180,000 people in climate-vulnerable and marginalized communities, particularly indigenous communities, in all 3 districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. The project works with these communities to develop and implement community-based biodiversity conservation plans. Project activities include: (1) conducting capacity development training for community-based organizations, networks, and environmental groups. This includes specific training for women on biodiversity restoration, ecosystem management, sustainable resource use, and livelihood development; (2) providing technical support for biodiversity ecosystem restoration in forests, wildlife habitats, waterbodies, and homesteads; (3) providing financial support for households to implement sustainable livelihoods activities, particularly in ecosystem-based occupations; and (4) providing technical training to promote alternative livelihood options for ecosystem-dependent communities.

Expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased women’s role in decision-making and implementing inclusive biodiversity ecosystem restoration plans with local government agencies in 3 districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts; (2) improved biodiversity ecosystems restoration by vulnerable households, especially women, in 3 districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts; and (3) enhanced resilient alternative livelihoods of biodiversity ecosystems-dependent communities, especially the poorest and most vulnerable women and girls, in the 3 districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Results achieved as of December 2025) include: (1) established 150 Community Biodiversity Conservation Groups across 450 communities, engaging more than 5,000 participants, including significant participation by women; (2) restored 26.12 hectares of degraded ecosystems through the planting of 63,448 native saplings across Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati; (3) strengthened community capacity for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable resource management and gender-transformative approaches, with 88% to 99% of participants reporting improved knowledge and skills; (4) supported the participation of 609 women in local biodiversity planning and decision-making processes; and (5) developed and supported 55 Community Biodiversity Conservation Plans to strengthen local planning, community ownership and preparedness for biodiversity restoration and resilient livelihood interventions.