This study, conducted in coordination with the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and the BRAC Skills Development Programme (SDP) addresses the pressing need to strengthen the recovery capacity of climate-vulnerable and pandemic-affected households.
Researchers: Munshi Sulaiman, PhD; Rohini Kamal, PhD; Md. Mohsin Hossain; Md. Mahbub Ul Hasan Sharan
Partner: BRAC Skills Development Programme (SDP)
Timeline: 2022-2024
Status: Ongoing
Contact: Tasfia Mehzabin; tasfia.mehzabin@bracu.ac.bd
Context
Bangladesh’s susceptibility to climate hazards, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has amplified economic hardships, including increased unemployment and reliance on low-wage work. In this context, this project addresses the pressing need to strengthen the recovery capacity of climate-vulnerable and pandemic-affected households. Specifically focusing on empowering youth within these households, the project aims to enhance their skills and employability through a multifaceted approach, encompassing various outputs such as providing youth with practical and employable skills, facilitating job placements, supporting potential young entrepreneurs, and enhancing their understanding of climate-resilient business practices. By doing so, this initiative, aligned with national climate strategies, the government’s employment plans, and local development goals to ensure sustainable outcomes, aspires to not only address immediate economic challenges but also contribute to broader goals of recovery and resilience.
Objectives
The overarching goal is to economically empower households adversely impacted by COVID-19 and climate change. To achieve this, the study aims to enhance the employability skills of youth from these vulnerable communities and facilitate their placement in decent jobs. Additionally, it seeks to cultivate entrepreneurial spirit among potential youth business owners by providing them with the necessary support to establish their ventures and access financial services. The project also intends to increase knowledge of climate-resilient business practices and decent work standards among micro and small business owners and the broader community.
Methodology
The impact evaluation for the programme will be conducted using a quasi-experimental method. Treatment sample lists were provided by the programmes and the comparison samples were selected from the adjacent locality based on the visible similarities to the treatment group households. Since the comparison sample was not selected randomly, there could be differences in characteristics between the treatment and comparison samples. To account for this non-random sample bias, propensity score matching (PSM) will be used to evaluate the impact of the programme intervention.
Findings and Recommendations
Forthcoming
