Resilient Voices

About

Climate change is hitting coastal Bangladesh in extreme ways, rising seas, stronger cyclones, and persistent salinity intrusion now contaminate drinking sources for over 25% of the population. Women bear the heaviest burden, 60% report limited clean water access, spending hours daily collecting water, yet less than 15% hold any voice in local water governance. Resilient Voices Project responds by turning lived experience into action. Across 5 villages, we documented how extreme salinity disrupts 368 women's health and livelihoods through participatory mapping. We trained 52 youth to co-produce a five-episode podcast series, now reaching 13,400 listeners via digital platforms and community radio. Our Gender-Water Insecurity Index, built directly from women's stories, has already prompted three Union Parishads to reserve seats for women on new water committees. We prove that centering marginalized voices in climate adaptation isn't just ethical, it drives measurable, community-owned resilience.

Top 3 learnings

1. We learned women’s unscripted audio testimonies shift policymakers faster than traditional academic reports
2. When women led the dialogue, men in households started showing up to water meetings!
3. Co-creating the Gender-Water Index with local people turned data into tools leaders actually use

What it means to win 

"At Daffodil International University, we believe that meaningful climate action begins by listening to the communities most affected. Resilient Voices demonstrates how universities can bridge research, education, and social engagement to co-create practical, evidence-based solutions with local people rather than for them. By empowering marginalized women and youth to document their lived experiences, generate data, and engage directly with policymakers, the project has strengthened inclusive water governance while building local capacity for long-term resilience. We are particularly proud that the knowledge, tools, and participatory approaches developed through this initiative are now being integrated into our academic programs and shared with partner organizations, ensuring that its impact extends well beyond the project itself. This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through innovation, collaboration, and community-driven action, proving that when higher education works hand in hand with society, even modest interventions can create lasting and transformative change."

Prof. Dr. M. R. Kabir, Daffodil International University

Judges' feedback 

A highly original and impactful project from a small institution, with clear potential for national and regional expansion. The submission provided strong evidence of impact across genders and demonstrated an intersectional, multi-stakeholder approach. The effective use of communication technology extended its reach beyond the immediate project, while the thoughtful use of funds and engagement model offer a strong, replicable methodology. The judges’ questions were addressed thoroughly and convincingly.

Sustainable Development Goals