Four organisations in Chattogram received Tk 540,000 under ISDE Bangladesh’s “Partners for Prosperity” programme to support grassroots initiatives in health, education and safe water access.
Four voluntary organisations in Chattogram Division have received grant cheques to strengthen grassroots social development initiatives under a joint programme supported by local and international partners.
The financial assistance was distributed on Sunday at the head office of ISDE Bangladesh in Chattogram, a major port city in southeastern Bangladesh, under the “Partners for Prosperity” programme. The initiative is being implemented by ISDE Bangladesh with support from the UK-based international development organisation Muslim Charity UK.
A total of Tk 540,000 was handed over to four organisations working in sectors including health, education and safe water access, organisers said.
Speaking as chief guest, Muslim Charity’s Country Coordinator M. Fazlul Karim said local organisations play the most effective role in driving social change at the community level.
“Direct support to grassroots groups creates quicker and more meaningful impact in people’s lives. Through the ‘Partners for Prosperity’ programme, we aim to advance sustainable development at the local level and such initiatives will continue in the future,” he said.
The event was chaired by SM Nazer Hossain, executive director of ISDE Bangladesh and central vice president of CAB, while Project Officer Raisul Islam moderated the event.
In his remarks, SM Nazer Hossain described the programme as more than just a funding initiative, saying it also serves as a platform to strengthen the capacity of local organisations.
“Small initiatives often lay the foundation for larger change. We hope that these organisations will utilise the support to bring visible and positive change in their respective communities,” he said.
Among the recipients, Society for Cerebral Palsy Children in Development (SOCEP) received Tk 150,000 to purchase physiotherapy equipment for underprivileged patients, while Social Development Society (SDS) was granted Tk 90,000 to support income-generating activities for three disadvantaged women.
Another Tk 150,000 was allocated to Manzil for purchasing furniture for students of Bakalia Women’s Madrasa, and Youth Voice for Change (YVC) received Tk 150,000 to install an iron removal plant at Purbo Bakalia Boys School to ensure safe drinking water.
Speakers at the event included ISDE Programme Coordinator Md Jahangir Alam, Advocacy Officer Russell Uddin, Youth CAB Chattogram Metropolitan President Abu Hanif Noman, SOCEP Executive Director Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, SDS President Ferdousi Begum Mousumi, Manzil representative Omar Faruk Mir, YVC Treasurer Rony Das and ISDE Communication and Media Officer Md Saimon Islam.
Organisers said the selected organisations are being provided with small-scale financial assistance to implement volunteer-driven development activities, which are expected to contribute to education, healthcare, awareness and overall social progress at the community level.
