Final Report from the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS), University of Dhaka

Projects Come and Go: How Do Communities Retain Impacts and Information of Development Projects? Implemented by Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS), University of Dhaka

This research, conducted by the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS) in Kurigram, Bangladesh, investigated the sustainability of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) initiatives after project funding ends. The study addressed the “predictable pattern of collapse,” where community activities and early warning systems often disintegrate post-project due to withdrawn institutional support.

Utilizing a participatory approach, the project analyzed four completed DRM initiatives and engaged local stakeholders, including women and people with disabilities. Key activities included field data collection, validation workshops, and the co-design of a “Project Retention Tracker.” This tool, managed by trained Community Tracker Pilot Groups (CTPGs), measures sustainability across six dimensions. By integrating these trackers into local government and partner programs, the initiative aims to ensure communities can independently monitor and retain DRM capacities without relying on external prompting.