The Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP), led by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) with technical assistance from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and financial backing from the Gates Foundation, is a collaborative initiative that supports the Government of Bangladesh in implementing its Standing Order on Disaster (SOD) 2019. Through a "whole of society" approach, BPP enhances disaster preparedness for response, focusing on local communities vulnerable to cyclones, floods, and landslides.

An insightful presentation on innovative approaches to assessing storm-surge risks and empowering communities through adaptation and mitigation strategies, presented by a researcher to the Technical Committee for review and feedback.

As part of its commitment to supporting local solutions, BPP launched a locally-led action research initiative in December 2024. The initiative aims to develop scalable, localized solutions that can be adapted to other districts and divisions, impacting communities and contributing to their long-term resilience. It also promotes evidence-based policy recommendations to inform future disaster management strategies.

A total of 46 submissions were received from Kurigram, Bagerhat, and Cox's Bazar on four thematic areas:

• Community-Led DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) and Preparedness for Response
• Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Adaptation
• Preparedness for Community Resilience
• Technological Innovations for Resilience

Presenting the “Disaster Cafe” proposal by the passionate Change Maker from Bagerhat! This inspiring youth first got involved and motivated through participation in BPP’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) event, which aims to create a nationwide platform for youth to voice and engage in disaster management solutions.

On 8th February 2025, six shortlisted proposals were invited to be presented by researchers before a high-level technical committee composed of experts from diverse fields, including Dr. Mahbuba Nasreem, Professor of Dhaka University, Dr. Imon Chowdhury, Associate Professor at BRAC University, Brig. Gen. (retd) Abu Nayeem Md. Shahidullah, Advisor of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI) FBCCI Safety Council, Mr. K.M. Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary and Chair of BPP Mobilization Desk and Ms. Sanzida Yesmin, Deputy Secretary and Gender Focal of BPP Mobilization Desk, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Mr. Rashedul Hasan, Director, Network for Information, Response, And Preparedness Activities on Disaster (NIRAPAD), and ADPC. Each technical committee member offered valuable guidance on the proposals to refine it for the next phase of the action research.

The Proposal Pitching Event provided a platform for local organizations to showcase their innovative solutions, receiving valuable feedback and guidance from the technical committee. Experts helped refine each proposal, ensuring that they were ready for the next phase of the action research. Each selected proposal will receive funding of up to $3,000 to support further research and action on the ground in Cox’s Bazar, Bagerhat, and Kurigram.

This event marks an important step in BPP’s mission to foster community-led disaster resilience. By nurturing innovative approaches that come from the ground up, BPP is not only enhancing local preparedness but also helping to create a broader framework for disaster resilience across Bangladesh. The insights and strategies emerging from this event will be pivotal in applying innovative insights to solving long standing disaster preparedness bottlenecks for communities.