The new Bangladesh America Maitree Project was introduced on February 15, 2024, by BRAC and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). It will provide more training and funding opportunities to NGOs operating at the grassroots level so they can carry out development initiatives in the communities they serve.
Together with officials from regional NGOs around the nation, USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman and BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh jointly announced the Maitree Project. Through the establishment of a competitive grant-making facility, local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be able to apply for grants to carry out initiatives related to health, education, agriculture, climate resilience, and other community development needs.
Local organizations will also receive training to improve proposal writing, project design and operational capacity – while strengthening their ability to collaborate, build networks, and develop local solutions to tackle development challenges.
“Locally-led development is the cornerstone of USAID’s philosophy and we are excited to partner with BRAC to help smaller NGOs improve their development programs and foster a more vibrant civil society,” said USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman.
The Bangladesh America Maitree Project was welcomed by Md. Saidur Rahman, Director General (DG) of the NGO Affairs Bureau at the Prime Minister’s Office, who also underlined the significance of public-private sector cooperation for the nation’s progress.
In his remark, BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh said, “Localization is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end. BRAC started as a relief organization but it grew bigger by continuously listening to the community. All its activities including microfinance, education, and health started as a response to community needs. Local level NGOs must devise their own solutions to address specific challenges instead of relying on donor-driven approaches. And that is why I am so excited about this Maitree Project, which aims to advance locally-led development.”
Since Bangladesh is about to graduate, local NGOs and civil society organizations will have more opportunities to adopt innovative program design methods, form partnerships with the private sector, and strengthen their organizational capacities. As a result, Bangladesh will witness a stronger civil society, which will significantly contribute to the country’s journey towards becoming a middle-income nation. Local NGOs operating at the grassroots level have been instrumental in boosting Bangladesh’s socio-economic development.
By encouraging cooperation, coalition building, and lobbying at several levels, the Maitree Project will actively reshape the local partner ecosystem and give local NGOs greater resources for innovation and growth. The ultimate aim is to foster a more robust and vibrant civil society, which will advance Bangladesh’s economy as a whole.
BRAC is carrying out the Bangladesh America Maitree Project, which is funded by USAID and seeks to fortify civil society in Bangladesh.
