According to ADB documents, The Southwest Area Integrated Water Resources Planning and Management Project (SAIWRPMP), implemented by the Government of Bangladesh (the government) and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Netherlands, sought to enhance the livelihood of the rural population by improving the productivity and sustainability of existing underperforming flood control and drainage/irrigation (FCD/I) schemes through holistic and participatory planning, development, and management of water, and delivery of support services to address locally identified constraints on agriculture, fisheries, and livelihood development.

The Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) is the apex water resource management body directing water-related policy and strategy in the country, while the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is its principal agency. BWDB is notable for technical capacities in planning and development of water-related infrastructure. However, further capacity augmentation of BWDB in decentralized water management and integrated planning that is flexible and adaptable to future development pathways is needed. This is particularly relevant for the low-lying areas of Tungipara and Kotalipara Upazilas where flooding and drainage congestion affects 23,169 hectares (ha) of cultivable area. While the project plans to address some of these challenges through FCD/I strengthening, these regions are fraught with complex interlinked hydrological, hydraulic, environmental, social and economic challenges that are further complicated by the rapid transformation of the hitherto predominantly agricultural rural economic landscapes.

The project recognizes that structural transformations of the economy intrinsically benefit the skilled and educated to capitalize on emerging economic opportunities and marginalize the poor and vulnerable groups and women from the development narrative. Considering the high poverty and low adult literacy levels (59.5%) and disparities (0.16 0.19 Gini coefficient in 2010) prevalent in project areas and the predicted additional unemployment due to environmental vulnerabilities, a comprehensive study to map the nature and extent of causalities and determinants of the impact on livelihoods and develop the strategies to improve rural household incomes and strengthen their economic resilience is necessary.

The proposed grant will address some of the above diverse, complex and interlinked institutional challenges by strengthening the sustainability of capacity building interventions under ongoing and ensuing projects as well as support project preparatory activities of ensuing project, which is a replication of the successful interventions of SAIWRPMP and ongoing projects. Therefore, a TA facility approach is suitable as it will (i) create synergies in dissemination of best practices, capacity building activities and knowledge transfer, (ii) improve project implementation readiness as due diligence activities of ensuing project will be similar to ongoing project, (iii) strengthen coordination and synergy among stakeholders during preparation and implementation, and (iv) reduce comparative transaction costs and improve efficiency. A One ADB approach will be adopted in framing and developing the rural livelihoods study. Cohesiveness and strategic alignment in the scope of the TA facility will be ensured through consultations with relevant sector divisions within ADB and with external stakeholders.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.adb.org/forms/request-information-form

ADB has a two-stage appeals process for requesters who believe that ADB has denied their request for information in violation of its Access to Information Policy. You can learn more about filing an appeal at: https://www.adb.org/site/disclosure/appeals

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main.