Bangladesh is considered one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, but it is also a global leader in efforts to confront climate change. This report summarises research focused on Bangladesh as a case study in exploring how to bridge the divide between adaptation finance at the national level and vulnerable communities at the local level.

Drawing on secondary literature and interviews and discussions with community members, local government officials, and various experts, the report proposes a mechanism through which local government institutions (LGIs) could provide a gateway for vulnerable communities to gain increased access to climate adaptation finance.

Key lessons:

findings from the report illustrate a number of key lessons that should guide the design of a local adaptation finance mechanism in Bangladesh, and selected findings are noted here. At the local level, although resource needs are high and capacity may be relatively low, some efforts are underway to strengthen planning and budgeting for climate change and disasters among community groups and LGIs
at the national level, both the BCCTF and BCCRF have faced challenges and controversies, but there are no inherent barriers to either fund providing adaptation finance to LGIs. In terms of linking the local and national levels, some existing budgetary mechanisms suffer from problems of political influence and a lack of community input indecision-making. However, the LGSP system of direct finance to UPs provides a viable model that is reportedly more transparent and participatory