The NELD Project
Aaina in collaboration with CJRF and Water Initiative is implementing this project in three coastal districts of Odisha—Ganjam, Kendrapada, and Puri—to understand the Non-Economic Losses and Damages (NELD) experienced by communities due to climate change. The project is being mentored by Mr. Ranjan Panda, popularly known as the Water Man of Odisha and a leading “Climate Crusader” in India.
Through this participatory action-research project, we are conducting awareness programmes on climate change and NELD while building the capacities of local people—especially women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), youth, and other vulnerable groups—to document their challenges and lead their own initiatives toward a climate-resilient society. Our work currently reaches around 10,000 people, with over 1,000 engaged in focused programmes.
Our research shows that these communities are experiencing the loss of traditional geographies, cultural heritage, and livelihoods closely tied to local natural resources. At the same time, they are facing new and intensifying challenges such as food and nutrition insecurity, mental and physical health issues, loss of income, and increasing forced migration into uncertain conditions.
Through this project, we are promoting people-centred and inclusive approaches to strengthen stakeholder engagement, support safe migration, improve mental well-being, increase youth participation in climate action, and connect communities—especially PwDs—to relevant government schemes and entitlements. We are establishing Migration Information Centres in collaboration with local self-government institutions, organising youth camps under the Youth4Water-India initiative, and supporting gender-mainstreamed development planning through participatory processes that place people at the centre of all actions.
The project also seeks to work closely with government institutions to ensure that sea-level-rise-affected communities receive stronger social protection, welfare support, and rights-based entitlements.