Green Innovation for Resilience Building (GIRB) Project

Youth unemployment in Bangladesh is rising, with the rate at 12.13% nationally and even higher in Mymensingh (25.5%). The project aims to engage unemployed youth, including ethnic minorities, in collecting banana fiber from trunks for sale to companies, while also preparing compost from the leftovers to improve soil health and produce safe agricultural products. The initiative has been well received by local communities, especially banana growers, and helps reduce production costs related to banana farming.

The project operates in Madhupur Tangail and Fulbaria sub-districts, where local youth and their families are trained to collect fiber and create compost. The project formed banana fiber groups, provided 10 machines to 50 beneficiaries, and trained them in machine operation, fiber washing, drying, and storage. In total, 442.5 kg of banana and 470.7 kg of pineapple fiber were produced. Additionally, a workshop on project orientation was held, and staff participated in a training on Kobo Toolbox.

The CCDB Climate Center introduced multilayer vegetable gardening and vermicompost production, with input support provided to 95 beneficiaries, including seeds, fences, bamboo, and compost. Exchange visits and training sessions on organic vegetable production, composting, and handicraft production were organized, though some goals, such as scaling up the project, could not be fully achieved due to time and budget constraints. Despite this, stakeholders showed interest in the project’s potential for wider impact.