The Community-based Resilience Women’s Empowerment and Action (CREA) Project, implemented by GRAUS and funded by the Embassy of Sweden with MJF’s support, aimed to empower women and strengthen community resilience in the CHT region. It operated in 28 villages of Rowangchari Upazila, promoting leadership, climate resilience, and good governance.

At its core, CREA seeks to strengthen public institutions through targeted workshops, training sessions, and strategic engagement with local government bodies. By enhancing institutional responsiveness, communities can gain improved access to essential services while fostering social accountability. Alongside governance strengthening, the project focuses on climate resilience, equipping vulnerable populations with adaptive strategies to mitigate disaster risks. Through the activation of CAG and VCF, local stakeholders can collectively implement sustainable solutions tailored to their specific environmental challenges.

Beyond climate adaptation, CREA prioritizes women’s empowerment, actively working to prevent gender-based violence and child marriage. Through leadership training, court-yard sessions, and advocacy programs, women and girls are encouraged to raise their voices against societal injustices while building the skills necessary to make strategic life choices. The project also engages men and boys in awareness campaigns to reshape social norms and foster gender equity within homes, communities, and public spaces.

A vital aspect of CREA’s approach is its economic empowerment component, offering financial and technical support to enhance livelihood opportunities. Women are trained in climate-adaptive income-generating activities (IGAs), entrepreneurship, and sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring long-term economic security for themselves and their families.