As Bangladesh continues to navigate the evolving national development context in 2024, experts are calling for a more targeted approach in the 2025 national development budget. It is crucial to identify local issues and challenges while simultaneously increasing the involvement and capacity of local development agencies. This strategic focus will ensure that the country’s development efforts are more inclusive, sustainable, and effective in addressing the diverse needs of communities across the nation. In light of these considerations, stakeholders are urging policymakers to integrate local concerns into the national budget plan for 2025. By strengthening the role of local agencies, the government can ensure that development programs are better aligned with the realities and priorities of the people they aim to serve. The webinar, titled “Development Dialogue 2025 for Development Activists,” was organized by PSDI Consultancy, a leading development consulting firm, on January 4 (Saturday).
The webinar featured a diverse group of esteemed speakers and development activists from across the country. Executive Director of GRAUS (Bandarban) Chaing Seing Moung, Executive Director of Progressive (Rangamati) Sucharita Chakma, Chief Executive of ASED (Habiganj) Jafar Iqbal Chowdhury, Program Manager of ASED (Habiganj) Nirmal Kumar Biswas, Founder Director of Service Emergency for Rural People (Thakurgaon) Himagshu Chanda Tapan, Executive Director of Faith In Action Nripen Baidya, Executive Director of Prattasa Samazik Unnayan Sangstha (Chuadanga) Md. Billal Hossain, Program Manager of Unnayan (Khulna) Sabekun Naher, General Secretary of Street Children Network (SCAN) Bangladesh Moniruzzaman Mukul, development activists Basanti Saha, Sanjoy Majumder, and Md. Salah Uddin Sarker (Tuhin). The dialogue was moderated by Md. Ishaque Faruquee, Director of PSDI Consultancy.
During the event, the speakers emphasized the importance of increasing the capacity of local development agencies to better address the dynamic development needs of Bangladesh in 2025. They noted that foreign donor agencies should prioritize direct funding to local organizations, empowering them to execute more efficient and effective projects across the country. Additionally, several key action points were identified for the 2025, including:
• Focus on educational initiatives and strategies to adapt to climate change impacts.
• Harnessing the demographic dividend by engaging youth in national development efforts.
• Ensuring the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as the disabled and Dalits, in the development process.
• Promoting eco-tourism and sustainable resource management, particularly in the hill regions.
• Ensuring food sovereignty and security for indigenous people, especially in the plains.
• Organizing dialogues to strengthen interfaith harmony across communities.
• Planning and implementing initiatives to address child marriage and gender discrimination.
• Prioritizing funding for small, local NGOs that have a deep understanding of community needs.
• Focusing on hill agriculture and measures to prevent the trafficking of hill women.
• Encouraging corporate institutions to engage in development initiatives through their CSR activities.
The speakers also highlighted the necessity of collaboration between hill and plain regions to address gender inequality, improve agriculture and fisheries, and work together to tackle the 5% child labor in the formal sector and the 95% in the informal sector.
As the nation moves forward into 2025, the collective action and strategic planning advocated by these development leaders are critical to the success of inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered development in Bangladesh.
PSDI Consultancy is a leading consultancy firm specializing in development strategies and solutions for organizations across Bangladesh. With a focus on building capacity, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable development, PSDI Consultancy works closely with various stakeholders to create impactful and lasting change in local communities.