SRSP Fosters Climate Resilience Through Nursery Training
The devastating floods that ravaged District Charsadda have left communities grappling with the aftermath. In a concerted effort to rebuild and strengthen resilience, SRSP, under the GIZ-funded “Climate Adaptation and Risk Financing” project, is spearheading a transformative initiative to promote green livelihoods.
A cornerstone of this project is a series of training sessions aimed at empowering women in flood-affected areas. Recently, 40 women from Agra-Bala and Nawa-Kale villages came together to learn the art and science of nursery raising and seedling cultivation.
By equipping these women with practical skills and knowledge, we are not only helping them to rebuild their lives but also contributing to a greener, more sustainable future. The training covered a wide range of topics, from the fundamentals of nursery management to the intricacies of soil preparation and plant nourishment.
The ultimate goal? To encourage the development of green livelihoods and value chains that can mitigate the impacts of climate change. By fostering a thriving nursery sector, we are creating opportunities for economic growth while simultaneously enhancing environmental resilience.
Stay tuned for updates on the progress of these inspiring women as they transform their communities, one seedling at a time.
Many rural women struggle to access essential services and lack platforms to speak up for their rights. To address this, SRSP, in partnership with GIZ, recently organized “Women Kuli Kachehri” forums in Kohat and Swat districts. Over 195 women from various villages participated, raising concerns about local municipal services. These issues included school cleanliness, sanitation, safe drinking water, teacher shortages, and police practices. The forums also introduced the “Women Facilitation Desk,” allowing women to register complaints regarding municipal services and civil service supplies. The District Administration in both Kohat and Swat emphasized their commitment to increasing women’s involvement in local governance. The Kuli Kachehri forums were a collaborative effort by SRSP, funded by GIZ under the PLG project.
Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), with financial backing from the German development agency GIZ, launched a new project in Charsadda district called “Climate Adaptation and Risk Financing.” This initiative aims to educate both men and women about adapting to climate change and build stronger social and financial communities in areas prone to disasters.
SRSP injected a special “climate-smart fund” into eight of their village banks in Charsadda. These banks, run by women for the past 14 years, will use the fund to expand their services and support community efforts to adapt to climate change. Additionally, a part of the fund is reserved for emergencies in case of future disasters.
The project goes beyond financial aid. It will also train women in promoting various income-generating activities, such as growing strawberries, producing seedlings, and participating in a textile industry cluster.
The project launch ceremony was well-attended. Important figures included the Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department, the Deputy Head of Development Cooperation from the German Embassy, GIZ representatives, CEOs from the Pakistan Microfinance Network, the CEO SRSP, the COO of SRSP, and local women community members. During the event, climate-smart fund checks were distributed to the women-run village banks.
SRSP, in collaboration with the KP Elementary & Secondary Education Department, held an enrollment campaign in Gogh Bala, Kohat to increase girls’ enrollment in schools for the 2024-25 academic year. The campaign enlisted the support of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), District Education Officer, social activists, parents, students, and education department personnel. Books were distributed to newly enrolled students. This activity was funded by GIZ under its PLG project.
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