BANGLADESH

Political violence and violent extremist activity have long been present in Bangladesh. From 2013 onwards, and especially following the July 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Dhaka—where 17 foreign nationals were killed—violent extremism increasingly emerged outside the realm of electoral and mainstream political dynamics. During this period, attacks targeted foreigners, LGBTI activists, secular bloggers, and religious minorities.

In 2024, Bangladesh became the first country to transition from GCERF funding, marking a milestone in programme sustainability and a structured, responsible exit. External evaluation findings confirm a substantial reduction in violent extremism and community support for it in affected areas, reflecting the effectiveness of GCERF’s community-based approach. GCERF’s investment strategy was assessed as well-targeted and effective, strengthening community resilience, social cohesion, and trust between citizens and authorities. Youth-led platforms played a central role, promoting peace, building leadership and critical thinking skills, and fostering strong connections between communities and institutional actors.