What problem or need is the project addressing?
Northern Bangladesh is the poorest part of Bangladesh. People living in rural areas depend on work which is seasonal, poorly paid and exploitative. As a result, they remain trapped in poverty, and become increasingly marginalised.
Small businesses can provide opportunities for work, and sometimes additional services such as schooling or health care facilities for workers’ families. Unfortunately though, small businesses often struggle to become economically viable. The majority receive no business support, so their problems persist, they fail to become viable, and their employees remain poor and marginalised.
In order alleviate poverty in Northern Bangladesh there is a need to create and secure employment opportunities for poor and disadvantaged groups.
What is the project doing?
The project is training 60 local organisations to provide vital business support to 1200 small businesses. Improving the business performance of small businesses will provide employment and income generating opportunities for poor producers. Each of the businesses provides an income for 6000 households. The project will therefore benefit a total of 28,200 poor and disadvantaged people.
This project will also help poor producers to influence local, national and international policies and practices which have a direct and often negative impact upon their livelihoods. It will also empower them to demand their rights to, for example, a fair price, a fair wage, decent living and working conditions, access to healthcare and other essential social services.
What impact has the project had?
The project has only recently started so it is too early to measure impact. However we expect the impact to include:
- increased and more sustainable sales for small businesses
- increased income and employment, and more sustainable livelihoods for poor producers
Our local partner
Traidcraft Exchange is implementing this project with DEW (Development Wheel). DEW works to "enhance household livelihood security of the poor by increasing their participation, in small-scale economic activities with a range of business and other life skills".
How is this project funded?
The project is funded by the European Commission, grant-making trusts, and donations from generous individuals.
