Where We Work
Bangladesh
Context
Bangladesh recorded 31 violent extremist attacks and seven fatalities in 2018 and is currently ranked 31 on the Global Terrorism Index of 2019, an improvement on the previous year. However, shifts in recruitment tactics continue to present a challenge with recent attacks perpetrated by educated, urban, middle class youth. Since August 2017, Bangladesh has experienced an increase in forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals from Rakine State to Cox’s Bazar. As of January 2020, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimated the number had reached 915,000, with the majority reliant on humanitarian assistance.
Violent extremist groups are reportedly recruiting in refugee camps and youth idleness has been identified as a risk factor. Clashes between camp residents and the host community have raised tensions between the groups. Women have also been approached to help spread violent extremist messages in aid of recruitment.
In 2019, the government developed a National Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism strategy.


Country Statistics
Bringing local success to a global stage


Pathways to Change
- Equip young people with the skills to mobilise, organise and represent their own interests when engaging with local authorities on topics that concern them.
- Provide skills training and opportunities for youth to participate in sporting competitions, debates and interfaith dialogues.
- Train religious leaders, journalists and local leaders on how to prevent violent extremism.
- Strengthen women’s resilience to violent extremism through courtyard meetings and awareness raising events.
- Disseminate messages of peace through radio and cultural performances.



69,900 community members (36,200 men and 33,700 women) participated in activities designed to build resilience through community mobilisation and advocacy:
- 1,803 local authorities attended law and order committee meetings and orientations
- 22,700 parents and teachers attended a total of 400 meetings with school and madrasa management committees
- 3,200 women attended women’s gatherings to raise awareness of violent extremism and effective responses
- 2,100 civil society representatives, journalists, religious leaders, and local authorities participated in roundtable discussions, trainings, and community consultation meetings

4,900 vulnerable youth (2,300 young men and 2,700 young women) participated in vocational skills training programmes tailored to meet the demands of the local labour market (based on consultations with local business associations and employers), and some received start-up funding.
1,500 youth received training in vocational skills
1,400 youth received business management and entrepreneurship training
240 trained youth received small grants as start-up capital to launch their own businesses
747 youth were linked to the job market through job fairs and meetings with employers

69,900 community members (36,200 men and 33,700 women) participated in activities designed to build resilience through community mobilisation and advocacy:
- 49,900 youth (24,600 boys and 25,300 girls) participated in activities such as:
- 4,500 students participated in student engagement events, where they learned to design their own PVE awareness-raising initiatives
- 2,300 students participated in moderated debate festivals on PVE
- 200 young men and women participated in a total of 11 cultural development workshops hosted by local theatre groups
Local Partners in Bangladesh



Newsletter

Sustainable Development Goals

Peace, Justice & Strong Institution
No Poverty

Quality Education

Gender Equality

Decent Work & Economic Growth

Reduced Inequalities
