As a proud Partner Organisation of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, ESDO has been part of its journey towards inclusive and sustainable development.
Dr. Md. Shahid Uz Zaman, Founder and Executive Director of ESDO, participated in the two-day Residential Colloquium held in Dhaka on 7–8 August 2026. The gathering brought together Core Group Members, Partner Organisations, Supporters and the Secretariat to reflect on the Platform’s 10-year journey, learn from shared experiences and strategise for the future.
ESDO congratulates the Citizen’s Platform on completing a decade of collective action and remains committed to strengthening partnerships and advancing the SDGs in Bangladesh.

The Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) actively participated in the Localization Learning Sharing program of the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) program.
At the event, ESDO’s Executive Director, Dr. Mr. Mohammad Shahid Uz Zaman highlighted the concept and practice of localization that has existed since time immemorial. He called for not imposing any new knowledge dominance or new narratives over the long-standing knowledge, experience, and local capacities of marginalized communities. At the same time, he expressed his sincere gratitude to SDC for developing the Localization Tools.
Of the 12 total projects in the CALL program, ESDO is implementing 5. The projects are—
THRIVE— with HEKS EPER
ACCECSS — with HELVETAS
NSSS— with HELVETAS
REACH — with EdM
ESDO is implementing these projects in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Kurigram, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira districts. SDC is co-financing all the projects.
At the event, a memento of appreciation was presented to ESDO on behalf of the CALL PMU. This recognition will further strengthen ESDO’s commitment to working with a focus on climate adaptation, local knowledge, and leadership at the local level. Also participating from ESDO were Md. Mashiur Rahman, Sirajus Saleekin, Golam Faruk, Masukul Haque, Ataur Rahman Ansari, along with two beneficiaries from each of the aforementioned projects.

Today, August 9, 2026, at the National Seminar titled “Local Action, Global Goals: ESDO’s Experience through Professional Social Work Lens,” held by the Department of Social Work at Jamalpur Science and Technology University (JSTU), the esteemed founder and Executive Director of ESDO, Dr. Muhammad Shahid-uz-Zaman, delivered the keynote address.
The seminar was graced by Professor Dr. Golam Rabbani, Vice Chancellor of Noakhali Science and Technology University, as Chief Guest; Professor Dr. Md. Amir Hossain, Vice Chancellor of JSTU, as Chief Patron; and Md. Ali Ullah Chowdhury, Chairman of the Department of Social Work at JSTU, as Session Chair.
In the keynote paper, Dr. Muhammad Shahid-uz-Zaman highlighted ESDO’s experience, successes, and future prospects in achieving the SDGs through local initiatives, community leadership, and professional social work.
During the event, he was presented with an honorary crest on behalf of the university, and a certificate bearing his signature was distributed among the participants.
“Local action is where global commitments acquire life.”

Today, on August 8, 2026, a coordination meeting for the Microfinance Program was successfully held in the hall of ESDO’s Silver Jubilee Building in Rangpur. The event was presided over by the honorable founder and executive director of ESDO, Dr. Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman.
The meeting featured detailed discussions on various key aspects aimed at reviewing the progress of the microfinance program’s overall activities, future action plans, service quality improvement, greater transparency and accountability, and enhancing effectiveness at the field level.
Senior officials, Regional Managers, Regional Finance Managers, Zonal Managers, and Area Managers associated with the Microfinance Program were present at the time.

On May 23, 2026, a sudden devastating cyclone caused extensive damage in the Taluk Baninagar area of Tushbhandar Union, Kaliganj Upazila, Lalmonirhat District. In an instant, many families’ homes were destroyed, educational institutions were damaged, and countless people lost safe shelter and basic necessities, facing an unbearable situation.
To support the affected people in this emergency situation, the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) is implementing the “PROTTOY – Preparedness and Response for Tushvandar through Organized Youth-led Action” project, funded by Start Fund Bangladesh, starting May 25, 2026.
Through this project, 13 of the most affected families were provided with shelter reconstruction grants for house repair and rebuilding. Additionally, 51 affected families received Multi-Purpose Cash Grants (MPCG) so they could meet their most urgent needs for food, medical care, housing repairs, and other basic necessities.
The project was not limited to emergency assistance; it also placed special emphasis on strengthening the community’s capacity to cope with future disasters. To this end, two completely damaged educational institutions were renovated, ten solar power systems were installed, and 200 trees were planted as part of disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities.
A key feature of this project was the active participation of local leadership and youth. Local youth volunteers, elected officials, government officials, and community members actively participated in every stage—from project planning and the selection of affected families to implementation and monitoring. As a result, the entire process was transparent, accountable, and based on the actual needs of the affected people.
The PROTTOY project has proven that timely humanitarian assistance, local leadership capacity, and active community participation can collectively not only help a disaster-affected population recover but also make them more resilient and prepared for the future.
ESDO expresses its sincere gratitude to START Fund Bangladesh for their timely funding and trust in locally-led humanitarian activities. We also extend our gratitude to the people of Taluk Baninagar, the local administration, youth volunteers, and all stakeholders for their cooperation. Through our collective efforts, we have not only rebuilt homes and institutions—we have restored people’s hope, dignity, and faith in the future.

We are pleased to share that the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) First Surveillance Audit for the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) was successfully conducted at ESDO HQ, Thakurgaon by B-Advancy Limited.
The audit was led by Mr. Engr. Kaisar Mahmud, Head of Certification, who conducted a comprehensive assessment of ESDO’s Quality Management System to ensure continued compliance with the ISO 9001:2015 standard.
The audit was attended by Mr. Moneruzzaman, Assistant Finance Controller & QMS Manager; Md. Mahmud Hasan, Head of Program-ICT & QMS Member, Mr. Ashikur Rahman Limon, Head of Audit & QMS Member; and Mr. Nure Alom, Senior Program Manager-Audit & QMS Member, along with the relevant officials of ESDO.
This successful surveillance audit reflects ESDO’s ongoing commitment to maintaining international quality standards, strengthening institutional governance, and fostering a culture of continual improvement in service delivery and organizational excellence.

On August 2, 2026, Pratik Karki, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka, visited the main office of the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO).
During the visit, he paid a courtesy call on Dr. Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, the Founder and Executive Director of ESDO, and exchanged pleasantries. Relevant officials of ESDO were present at the time.
This courtesy call is expected to play a supportive role in further strengthening mutual cooperation and development initiatives.

Today, August 1, 2026, the “Yearly Project Review and Planning Workshop 2026–2027” of the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) was successfully held at the Joynal Abedin Auditorium of its main office in Thakurgaon. was successfully held today, August 1, 2026, at the Jonal Abedin Auditorium of the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) headquarters in Thakurgaon. The workshop was chaired by Dr. Muhammd Shahid Uz Zaman, Founder and Executive Director of ESDO. Special guest was Dr. Selima Akhtar, Director (Administration). The theme of the workshop was “Programme Results, Operations, Monitoring, Quality and Annual Planning,” where a detailed review and discussion were held on the overall progress, achievements, challenges, and strategic planning for the coming year of the organization’s various projects, programs, and activities.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Muhammad Shahid-uz-Zaman, Founder and Executive Director of ESDO. Special guests included Dr. Selima Akhtar, Director (Administration), and Mr. Shashwat Zaman, Team Leader, Youth Engagement and ICT.
The day-long workshop featured fruitful discussions on the performance of cluster-based projects, the quality of monitoring and information, good governance, accountability, operational excellence, the exchange of inter-project experiences, and the prioritized work plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, participants actively engaged in developing team-based action plans, presenting management decisions, and determining future courses of action.
ESDO believes that through regular evaluation, data-driven decision-making, effective planning, and coordinated team efforts, institutional capacity, good governance, transparency, and accountability will be further strengthened, taking the organization one step closer to achieving its sustainable development goals.

Today, August 1, 2026, the inaugural ceremony of the Eco Film Society was successfully held at the Jonal Abedin Auditorium of the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) headquarters in Thakurgaon.
The event’s special guest, Mr. Mirza Faisal Amin, Director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and President of the Thakurgaon District BNP, officially declared the Eco Film Society open.
Also present at the event were Dr. Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, Founder and Executive Director of ESDO, esteemed officials of ESDO, representatives from various departments, and guests from the fields of culture and film.
The goal of the Eco Film Society is to establish film as a powerful medium for knowledge, culture, human values, and social change. One of the objectives of this initiative is to cultivate an aesthetic sense, critical thinking, and positive social responsibility among the younger generation through regular film screenings, discussions, film analysis, training, and creative initiatives.
ESDO believes that by embracing the theme “Cinema for a Better World – Stories that Inspire Change,” the Eco Film Society will play a vital role in fostering awareness, creativity, and human values in society.

Today, July 31, 2026, an annual review with the Finance Manager of the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) was successfully held at the Jonal Abedin Auditorium of the main office. In this important review meeting, the organization’s various project finance managers had one-on-one (head-to-head) meetings. Reviews were conducted. The main objectives of the meeting were to evaluate the effectiveness of financial management, further strengthen accountability and transparency, and develop effective plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
The meeting included a detailed review of each finance manager’s annual financial activities, budget implementation, fund management, financial reporting, compliance, audit preparedness, risks and challenges, and future course of action. Additionally, guidance, constructive feedback, and priority-based action plans for the upcoming fiscal year were established by management.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, Founder and Executive Director of ESDO. He emphasized efficient, transparent, accountable, and results-oriented financial management and urged all Finance Managers to work towards the organization’s development goals with responsibility, professionalism, and the highest standards.
Such regular review meetings will play a crucial role in further strengthening ESDO’s financial discipline, good governance, transparency, and institutional capacity.