Institution Building (IB)

Institution building is the main vehicle for the empowerment of underprivileged people. Under the B-STRONG project, SDF is mobilizing the severely and moderately flood-affected (2024) households to build accountable, inclusive, and transparent village institutions. These institutions are designed to be multipurpose, adapting to the emerging challenges of a changing society in the areas of economic development and women's empowerment. The community brings together all severely and moderately affected households in the villages under Resilience Groups (RGs) and Gram Samitis, establishing village-level institutions and providing financial and technical support to group members to help them start income-generating activities (IGAs). Through this process, SDF strives to empower women while making communities and especially their village institutions more sustainable and resilient to future climate shocks.

Livelihood Development

SDF works to achieve economic and social changes in severely and moderately affected households, assist them in accessing mainstream development programs, and create aspirations among severely disadvantaged groups. Through the Livelihood Development program, SDF bridges the gap between their aspiration and actions to translate the target into reality. We are focusing on the unmet needs of the severely and moderately, especially women, including areas of extreme deprivation, protecting the rights of the poor. SDF provides financial, market, technical, value chain, and business development support to the rural poor community to upgrade their lives and livelihoods.

One-time Grant (OTG) to Vulnerable

Vulnerable people are those who require special care, support, or protection due to age, disability, mistreatment, or neglect, as identified by each village community according to criteria defined by the project. Once identification is complete, One-Time Cash and subsequent awareness programs are implemented to help mainstream vulnerable individuals into society. Beneficiaries invest a substantial portion of the grant in micro-scale income-generating activities (IGAs). Over time, many become members of the Gram Samiti, begin saving, and take Revolving Fund (RF) loans to scale up their IGAs.

Community Finance

In our holistic approach to poverty alleviation, we view Community Finance as one of the essential tools for addressing the root causes of poverty. In addition to providing access to finance, we ensure that our borrowers receive support, can exchange information, and raise their awareness on empowerment, employment, health, and social issues. This innovative, client-focused, and sustainable program is a critical component of our holistic approach to supporting livelihoods. Borrowers receive credit at a reasonable service charge to help meet recurring expenses, while contributing to the sustained growth of the Savings and Credit Organization (SVCO) fund. Through this, they engage in various income-generating activities, moving their lives toward financial and social empowerment.

Livelihood Facility works

The tangible achievements of infrastructure projects have fostered economic opportunities, created employment prospects, and strengthened community institutions. Working hand-in-hand with communities to build or improve small-scale local infrastructure such as roads, culverts, U-drains, school repairs, and water distillation/desalination systems is intrinsic to the Livelihood Facility Fund's (LFF) social and economic development activities. This program delivers services at the community level to promote income and employment generation associated with skill development.
 

Environment and Social Risk and Mitigation:

Activities related to Environment and Social (E&S) risks, including occupational health and safety, community health and safety, water, air, and soil pollution, solid waste management, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)/sexual harassment (SH), and adolescent early marriage have been initiated to assess and implement appropriate mitigation measures. In ensuring equitable benefits for marginalized and disadvantaged groups, including indigenous peoples, the project addresses issues such as child labor risk, women's labor rights, gender disparity, and project-related grievances. All project beneficiaries are scheduled to receive orientation on climate risk, adaptation, and resilience building.

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT GENERATION SUPPORT (YEGS)

In the youth employment sector, SDF's contribution to Bangladesh's progress has been significant. Our well-managed and well-resourced Youth Employment Generation Support (YEGS) program continues to advance steadily, translating commitment into action toward specific targets for reducing development disparities. The program aims to build capacity through skill development training in 32 trades for unemployed and underemployed youth — including jobless migrants, returning immigrants, and climate migrants — alongside job placement support for their socio-economic advancement. We strive to enhance employment opportunities through apprenticeships, institution-based training, and enterprise development. To this end, we have established a substantial number of partnerships with various institutions, including the Department of Youth Development (DYD), among other potential collaborators.

Study Support Grant

Study Support Grant was introduced for highly deserving meritorious students of beneficiary families who have completed their Higher Secondary Certificate examination and struggling to start their higher studies at universities or professional institutions for inadequate financial support.

Capacity Building (CB)

SDF values efficiency and excellence in all aspects of its work, continuously evolving to perform better, meet and exceed program targets, and deepen the impact of its interventions. The Capacity Building Cell is responsible for enhancing the capacity and professionalism of SDF employees and program participants through a wide range of human development initiatives. This unit provides ongoing orientation, consistently aligning its objectives with both national goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Governance and Accountability (G and A)

The Governance and Accountability (G&A) program of SDF plays a significant and effective role in keeping the project on track toward its intended goals. We firmly believe that governance must be adaptable — capable of responding to emerging challenges, changes, risks, and opportunities. The following key components support the program:

i. Governance and Accountability Plan (GAAP)
ii. Social Audit Committee (SAC)
iii. Community Assessment Process (CAP)

This program is grounded in the understanding that the core challenges of sustainable development are best addressed through robust governance and accountability mechanisms, which contribute substantially to achieving the project's intended goals and objectives.