Overview
Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) and Caritas Bangladesh is implementing the Socio-Economic Empowerment with Dignity and Sustainability (SEEDS) project with a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) component in Kurigram, Ranpur, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Sherpur, and Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh, funded by the Stromme Foundation and NORAD. The program follows a “grassroots development” strategy, using FDP tools to meet the dreams of youth and promoting income-generating activities for vulnerable and destitute families. The program aims to create decent jobs for unemployed youth by providing fair wages, stable employment, safe working conditions, and social protection. The program was successful in building trust and teamwork between Ostads and trainees, with around 20% offering jobs to their trainees in their own enterprises after completing the training. The program was beneficial for both trainees and Ostads, with 93% of trainees starting or joining enterprises and earning money to support their families. However, the program needs improvements, such as increasing the duration of training, increasing the increasing the budget, and adding more instrumental and machinery support. Despite these challenges, the program has helped trainees become financially stable and self-assured, leading to improved standards of living for their families.
