Formed after identifying 117 environmental and social conflicts, AGUN brings together youth groups linked to workers, farmers, fishers, landless people and vulnerable communities for coordinated action on rights, livelihoods and ecological protection.
A grassroots youth-led alliance of organisations has been formally launched in Bangladesh to work for the rights of marginalised communities, the protection of the environment and ecology and the establishment of a justice-based society.
The Alliance for Grassroots Unity for Nature, or AGUN, began its formal journey at an inauguration ceremony held on Saturday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital, according to a press release issued in Dhaka on August 30, 2026.
Representatives of member organisations, civil society members, journalists, researchers, environmental activists, young leaders and other stakeholders attended the event.
The guest speakers included Sumaiya Mamun of the Local Government Engineering Department, Sheikh Nasir Uddin of the Bangladesh Landless Movement, urban planner and architect Niaz Rahman, Sheikh Rokon of Riverine People, Mohammad Elias of Green Bangla Garments Workers Federation and journalist Md Ayaz Robi.
They stressed the importance of grassroots youth working together to protect the rights of marginalised communities and the environment.
AGUN’s formation followed a nationwide initiative to identify environmental and social conflicts linked to crises in different regions of the country.
Through the process, 117 environmental and social conflict incidents were identified, including land grabbing, pressure on forests and natural resources, salinity in agricultural land, violations of workers’ rights and pollution from different industries.
The initiative also identified youth organisations and local leaders working to address these problems.
AGUN was later formed to strengthen cooperation and coordination among young leaders and organisations from different regions, after workshops, field visits and exchanges with local communities, workers, farmers, fishers, civil society members, researchers and journalists helped identify grassroots experiences and priorities.
The alliance aims to create an effective platform of young people emerging from communities including workers, farmers, fishers, landless people and other marginalised groups to work collectively to protect their lives, livelihoods and rights.
It also aims to help ensure accountability and responsibility for activities that harm the environment and ecology.
The alliance said it would take joint initiatives on environmental and ecological protection, workers’ rights, the rights of coastal and other vulnerable communities and increasing young people’s knowledge and civic participation.
It will also work to create opportunities for public engagement and dialogue so that development planning and policymaking give importance to the relationship between people, livelihoods and nature.
The youth organisations linked to the alliance are Gabura Welfare Society, EcoBangla Youth Organisation, Falad Bangladesh, Jaflong Student Council, People on Bangladesh, Univo, Bangladesh Mro Students’ Association, Haor O Nodi Rokkha Andolon, Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra, Project Community Responding to Climate Change, Poribesh Chinta, ReEarth Club at Begum Rokeya University, EarthHoppers, Earth Club at the University of Barishal and Earth Club at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.
AGUN is currently operating as a grassroots youth-led alliance. Initiatives will also be taken to include different organisations and individuals in the alliance through a defined process.
