Our Work
B-kind
B-KIND (Bhutanese Knowledge for Indigenous Development)
Bhutan faces numerous challenges despite its unique approach to development and carbon neutrality. Climate change impacts, struggles with food imports that affect local systems, food security and self-sufficiency are some of severe challenges by the vulnerable rural communities. Though women play a significant role in agriculture, food security and climate adaptation, they are often overlooked and said to have limited control over resources and are excluded in decision-making processes. To address some of these issues, it is felt important to strengthen Bhutan’s fragile ecosystems and culture through understanding of the biophysical and socio-cultural roles that could reduce the impacts of climate change through a trans-disciplinary research approach.
The B-KIND project, an undertaking of the TCSRD, the research and think tank of the Foundation in collaboration with the College of Natural Resources, is a step towards a holistic approach to understanding the complex nature of climate change and socio-cultural changes in preparing resilient communities to changes through capacity building and adaptations . The project is implemented in three dzongkhags of Gasa, Punakha and Wangdue.
The B-KIND project aims to enhance adaptive capacities and resilience of economically vulnerable rural women, men, and youth in Bhutan by developing rigorous evidence-based research that informs policies on climate-resilient food systems, sustainable rural livelihoods, organic farming, healthy food culture, gender equality, and GNH. The project received a grant of 1.2 million Canadian dollars from the Government of Canada through the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
The research project focuses on themes such as:
1. Climate Change Adaptation
Conduct research focused on sustainable, low-carbon green technologies such as micro-hydro, solar dryers, eco-friendly farming, improved stoves, and construction materials.
2. Sustainable agriculture
Undertake action-oriented initiatives to document, identify strategies, and find sustainable solutions that support micro-credit, savings schemes, self-help groups, skills training, and entrepreneurship promotion such as community shops, dairy farming, and eco-friendly farming.
Monitor and evaluate the extent to which people's livelihoods have improved by collecting and comparing quantitative and qualitative data at baseline and during ongoing assessments.
3. Gender equality and transformative change
Undertake action-oriented initiatives to document, identify strategies, and find sustainable solutions that support micro-credit, savings schemes, self-help groups, skills training, and entrepreneurship promotion such as community shops, dairy farming, and eco-friendly farming.
Monitor and evaluate the extent to which people's livelihoods have improved by collecting and comparing quantitative and qualitative data at baseline and during ongoing assessments.
4. WELLBEING AND GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS
Undertake action-oriented initiatives to document, identify strategies, and find sustainable solutions that support micro-credit, savings schemes, self-help groups, skills training, and entrepreneurship promotion such as community shops, dairy farming, and eco-friendly farming.
Monitor and evaluate the extent to which people's livelihoods have improved by collecting and comparing quantitative and qualitative data at baseline and during ongoing assessments.
4. HOLISTIC FOOD SYSTEMS
Undertake action-oriented initiatives to document, identify strategies, and find sustainable solutions that support micro-credit, savings schemes, self-help groups, skills training, and entrepreneurship promotion such as community shops, dairy farming, and eco-friendly farming.
Monitor and evaluate the extent to which people's livelihoods have improved by collecting and comparing quantitative and qualitative data at baseline and during ongoing assessments.
Keep up to date on our research.
We have programs throughout the country. Help spread all that it means to B-KIND!