The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), BRAC University, organised a workshop titled “Advancing Women’s Climate-Resilient Entrepreneurship: Evidence, Inclusive Finance, and Climate Justice for Inclusive Green Growth” at the Exhibition Gallery of BRAC University.
The workshop was held under the “EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies (Phase II)” project, which has been implemented by CED since 2022 with the support from UN Women and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
To date, the project has trained 1,200 women entrepreneurs across 12 districts on the use of renewable energy in their businesses.
State minister for environment, forest and climate change, Sheikh Faridul Islam was present as chief guest while Alexandra Mutungi, Gender and Climate Change Expert, Climate Change Division, UNEP; Navanita Sinha, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Bangladesh; and A.Q.M. Golam Mawla, Deputy Managing Director, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) also attended.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Dave Dowland, Registrar, BRAC University, thanked CED for its contribution to the development of women entrepreneurs at the community level.
Speaking on the project’s contributions, Afshana Choudhury, Head of CED, BRAC University, said the initiative is working to address the financial and technological challenges faced by women entrepreneurs as a result of climate change.
Alexandra Mutungi said the initiative has built a multi-stakeholder ecosystem comprising government bodies, commercial banks, microfinance institutions, impact investors, clean technology providers, civil society organisations, and research institutions, aimed at supporting women’s climate-resilient livelihoods.
Ms Nabanita Sinha said the project has focused on different development challenges on which Bangladesh has already set examples.
A.Q.M. Golam Mawla said it is evident that entrepreneurs have benefited from the project, and the panning must now turn to ensuring the sustainability of such initiatives.
In his address, the minister said that in the coastal areas where the project has worked, women has particular commitments on which the government is also working to help the women.
He added that the government is following National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to address climate risks in climate change affected areas.
Sabrina Nourin, Senior Program Manager, CED, BRAC University presented the findings of two research studies during the workshop.
Following a panel discussion, CED handed over a database of 1,200 marginalized women entrepreneurs to SME Foundation, a key stakeholder of the project, as part of ensuring the sustainability of their entrepreneurial ventures.