Dnet Ensures Coordination and Support from Public and Private Initiatives: 'Nagarik Shamannay' Project Sensitization Meeting

Moulvibazar, October 7, 2025 – A sensitization meeting was successfully held on Tuesday (October 7, 2025) to create a collaborative environment and align the efforts of all stakeholders in ensuring good governance and service delivery. Organized by Dnet and under the overall supervision of the Moulvibazar District Administration, the session was held in the Conference Room of Hotel Rest Inn. The main objective of the meeting was to formally present the project's goals and action plan, share key findings from the needs assessment report, and secure collaborative support from core government departments and local partners for successful implementation..

Mr. Md. Mamunur Rashid, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development and Human Resource Management), Moulvibazar District, attended as the Special Guest and moderator of the panel discussion session  and reaffirmed the administration's strong commitment to the initiative's success. He stated, "There are two vital areas we cannot overlook in Moulvibazar. Firstly, technological modernization—which will ensure that the public does not require any alternative routes for procuring government services. Secondly, there is no alternative but to prioritize the educational development of the children of tea garden workers." He added, "The forum constituted in today's meeting has created new awareness and mutual understanding among the participants. Since we are all working towards the same objectives, moving forward together is not an obstacle for us; rather, it should be our core plan."

The 27-month 'Nagarik Shamannay' (Citizens' Coalition) project is being implemented under the Civic Engagement Fund (Nagorikata), with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Dnet is implementing the project in partnership with four local partner organizations: Janakalyan Kendra (JKK) in Kamalganj, Progoti Samaj Unnayan Sangstha (PSUS) in Sreemangal, Nishsho Sahayak Sangstha (NSS) in Kulaura, and Prochesta in Barlekha.

The project's main goal is to increase the capacity of civil society to ensure gender, and climate justice and equity in public services for marginalized communities, particularly women, youth, and ethnic minorities, in the biodiversity-adjacent areas of four upazilas in Moulvibazar: Barlekha, Kulaura, Kamalganj, and Sreemangal.

One of the key objectives of the event was the presentation of the findings from the project's Needs Assessment Report. This research data identified gaps in public service delivery and challenges in civic participation at the local level, fostering a common understanding among all and serving as the foundational basis for the project's advocacy strategy.

According to the key research data presented at the meeting:

Economic disparity is highly prevalent—51% of tea garden laborers and 36% of the disabled population still suffer severely from economic discrimination.

Citizens also face obstacles in obtaining social safety net allowances, with approximately 53% of female participants reporting they had to pay bribes (BDT 100-300) to receive the benefits.

Regarding climate risk, it was found that 64% of women in upazilas like Kamalganj and Sreemangal lost their primary source of income due to climate disasters such as floods and landslides.

Representatives from civil society, the departments of Social Services, Women and Children Affairs, and Youth Development and Moulvibazar Press Club participated in a panel discussion. This session was specifically designed to ensure direct cooperation and coordination between government service providers and the project's partner organizations.

Mahmud Hasan, Executive Director of Dnet, stated, "Over the next two years, our goal is to create several success stories in Moulvibazar that will strengthen the journey of the next phase of this project. Let's all work together and make this project as our own."

Mr. Nurul Islam, Representative of the Nagorikata Fund and Lead Expert – CSO Capacity Development and Management of GFA Consulting Group, said, "The first phase of the Nagorikata program aims to reach 1.6 million people across Bangladesh by 2027. We are therefore trying to implement this program geographically and demographically through the participation of people of all walks of life." He further added, "Nagarik Shamannay will work to build the capacity of community-based organizations that are not currently actively involved in social activities and create a bridge between them and various relevant government institutions."

Asif Ahmed Tanmay, Project Manager of Nagarik Shamannay, conducted the entire meeting.