Nearly two decades of impact across Bangladesh
Over the years, Unnayan Bhabna has established itself as a strong feminist organization with a consistent record of advancing women's rights, leadership, and resilience across Bangladesh.
Strengthened women's participation in local governance through the ADB-funded TA-7720 BAN Project. Trained women leaders, supported Union Parishad representatives, and promoted gender accountability in rural infrastructure planning — helping institutionalize women's benefits within local development systems.
Through BRCP-1 (World Bank–Ministry of Commerce), supported hundreds of women entrepreneurs in 21 districts to build business capacity in agro-processing. Provided gender-sensitive training, mentoring, and market linkage support, integrating GBV prevention and sexual harassment safeguards throughout.
In climate-vulnerable Satkhira, implemented REE-CALL (Oxfam GB) and RECLAIM (Christian Aid Bangladesh). Equipped thousands of women with skills in climate-smart livelihoods, DRR, and leadership. Women adopted adaptive farming, aquaculture, and micro-enterprises, promoting gender-responsive climate adaptation at the local level.
Through Nirapod-2 (Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), empowered women and adolescent girls to claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Formed community support groups, trained peer educators, and built awareness, safety, and rights literacy in rural and industrial areas.
Under the Learning and Earning Development Project (ICT Division, GoB), provided IT training to rural women and girls in Sylhet, promoting digital literacy, freelancing skills, and online safety. Supported women's entry into the digital economy aligned with the national "Digital Bangladesh" vision.
Under the UNFPA Dignity Kit Project, supported flood-affected women and girls in Satkhira by distributing dignity kits and providing awareness on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health. Reinforced the principle that humanitarian relief must protect dignity and rights, not just meet basic needs.
In partnership with VSO and the British Council, fostered youth and women leadership through Active Citizenship through Inclusive Volunteering and Prodigy II. Built civic awareness, encouraged volunteerism, and promoted women's voices in local and national development dialogues.
A selection of major projects implemented by Unnayan Bhabna:
| # | Project Name | Donor | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active Citizenship through Inclusive Volunteering & Empowerment (Resilient Livelihoods) | VSO | April 2024 – March 2025 |
| 2 | BRCP-1: Development of Business Capacity of Women Entrepreneurs in Agro-Processing | World Bank / Ministry of Commerce | August 2022 – October 2025 |
| 3 | Active Citizens – Digital Model and Challenge | British Council | December 2020 – April 2021 |
| 4 | Prodigy II – Promoting Democratic Inclusion & Governance through Youth | British Council | August 2017 – May 2019 |
| 5 | Basic IT/ICT Training for Union Level Women (Learning and Earning Development Project) | ICT Division, GoB | January 2015 – June 2015 |
| 6 | TA-7720 BAN: Support to LGED in Institutionalizing Women's Benefits from Rural Infrastructure | Asian Development Bank (ADB) | May 2012 – June 2015 |
| 7 | Nirapod-2: Empowering Women on SRHR and Safe Menstrual Regulation & Family Planning | Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands | January 2015 – December 2019 |
| 8 | RECLAIM: Reducing Climate Change Induced Vulnerabilities through Adaptation & Mitigation | Christian Aid Bangladesh | March 2011 – December 2016 |
| 9 | Dignity Kits Distribution for Flood-Affected Women in Satkhira | UNFPA | October 2011 – November 2011 |
| 10 | REE-CALL: Resilience through Economic Empowerment, Climate Adaptation, Leadership & Learning | Oxfam GB | July 2010 – June 2021 |
Unnayan Bhabna has partnered with a wide range of donors and implementing partners over the years:
Unnayan Bhabna has demonstrated consistent growth in financial capacity, with the highest turnover of BDT 7,20,05,260 in 2024–2025.
| # | Fiscal Year | Turnover (BDT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024–2025 | 7,20,05,260 |
| 2 | 2023–2024 | 6,25,33,560 |
| 3 | 2022–2023 | 4,18,19,206 |
| 4 | 2021–2022 | 3,25,63,251 |
| 5 | 2020–2021 | 3,10,19,789 |
| 6 | 2019–2020 | 2,90,20,821 |
| 7 | 2018–2019 | 2,55,59,541 |
| 8 | 2017–2018 | 2,25,20,821 |
| 9 | 2016–2017 | 2,10,00,200 |
| 10 | 2015–2016 | 1,95,10,701 |
Unnayan Bhabna has built and strengthened leadership networks that amplify the voices of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
A grassroots women's leadership network that promotes women's rights, collective action, and participation in local governance. Members actively raise awareness on gender equality and advocate for gender-responsive community development.
A national network of women entrepreneurs engaged in agro-processing. It supports women's economic leadership, strengthens business collaboration, and promotes gender-responsive planning, accountability, and market participation.
A network of young women leaders and activists from local clubs and CBOs. It advances digital literacy, feminist values, and youth-led advocacy on gender equality, SRHR, and climate justice.
The organization is governed by a 7-member Executive Committee of women leaders, academics, and social activists, and a 21-member General Committee. 50% of pool staff are women, reflecting the organization's commitment to feminist leadership within its own structure.
Support Unnayan Bhabna's work to empower women and transform communities across Bangladesh.
Contact Us