Today, BBC Media Action organized an Inception Meeting under the FREED Project at Hotel Lake Castle, bringing together distinguished representatives from various organizations and development sectors.

Safeguarding and Child Protection Training Held in Kurigram.

Entrepreneurial Development Skills Enhancement Training

Under the “Employability Skills and Resilience (ESR)” project, implemented by the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) with support from Save the Children, a four-day entrepreneurial development training is being held in Chittagong from May 11–14, 2026.
The main objective of this training is to develop young people as entrepreneurs, create self-employment opportunities, and economically empower them through sustainable income growth. Of the total participants, approximately 60% are women and 40% are men, which helps ensure inclusive participation.
The training provides participants with hands-on knowledge on various key topics, including selecting a business idea, business planning, market analysis, customer management, capital management, profit and loss accounting, digital marketing, and small business operations.
The resource person for today’s session was Mr. Kishore Kumar Dutta (Accounts Officer and Training Coordinator). Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), Chittagong. He gave an important presentation on the skills needed to become a successful entrepreneur, identifying business opportunities, government support, and various facilities for small entrepreneurs. His guidance, based on real-world experience, generated great interest and enthusiasm among the trainees.
Participants reported that this training is boosting their self-confidence and will play a crucial role in taking their own initiatives and creating employment in the future.
ESDO and Save the Children will continue such activities in the future to develop skills, increase self-reliance, and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

A consultation meeting was held on “Planting Trees for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development: The Role of NGOs.”
The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Mahdi Amin, Honorable Advisor to the Prime Minister (for the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Ministry of Labor and Employment).
The session was chaired by Dr. Mohammad Zakaria, Director General (Secretary), NGO Affairs Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office.
Representatives from nearly 200 domestic and international NGOs in the country, including ESDO and BRAC, participated in the event.
At the event, ESDO’s Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Mohammad Shahid Uz Zaman, a Capstone Fellow (NDC) delivered a special guest speech. In his speech, he said that ESDO, as a northwest-based NGO, is working with special emphasis on tree planting for environmental conservation and sustainable development. To this end, ESDO has established a “Tree Gallery” at the Lokayan Museum, which will further encourage the people of the country to plant trees.
He also mentioned that under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, a master plan is being implemented to plant 250 million saplings across the country over the next 5 years to combat the risks of climate change and maintain environmental balance. He expressed hope that ESDO is working to achieve its goal of planting 750,000 trees in line with this national initiative.

Exciting Partnership Announcement!

Proud Moment for ESDO!

A delegation from the Embassy of Switzerland led by Ms. Sabine Rosenthaler (Head of Asia Section) and comprising Mr. Diepak Elmer (Head of Cooperation) and Mr. Marc Dietrich (Programme Manager-Nexus), visited the Nari Shakti, Samaz Shakti (NSSS) project in Cox’s Bazar.

Honorable Finance and Planning Minister Mr. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury was the chief guest at the “Stepping Forward: The Inauguration of RAISE-2” event held at PKSF Building-1 in Agargaon, the capital. The event was presided over by PKSF Chairman Mr. Zakir Ahmed Khan. Special guests included the Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, Mr. Nazma Mobarak, and the Honorable Guest was Dr. Gail H. Martin, Acting Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan at the World Bank. The welcome address was delivered by PKSF’s Managing Director, Mr. Md. Fazlul Kader.
Also present at the event was the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO)-‘s Founder and Executive Director, Mr. Dr. Muhammad Shahid-uz-Zaman Capstone Fellow, NDC, Sir. During the event, he highlighted the importance of the RAISE project, emphasizing its crucial role in skills development, job creation, the promotion of small enterprises, youth employment, and the inclusive development of marginalized communities.

Today, on May 9, 2026, a loan distribution ceremony titled “Revitalization in the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (CMSME) Sector” was held at the ESDO’s Talent Practice Center at its head office, implemented by ESDO and funded by the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF).
The chief guest at the event was Mr. Md. Shahjahan (Former Additional Secretary), Managing Director of the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF), and the program was presided over by the Honorable Founder and Executive Director of ESDO, Dr. Muhammad Shahid-uz-Zaman.
It is hoped that this initiative will play a significant role in providing financial assistance to small and medium entrepreneurs, creating self-employment, and fostering sustainable economic development.
A prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh will be built through the empowerment of entrepreneurs.