We’re thrilled to welcome six new partners to our network of global changemakers.

Global Fund for Children, through its partnership with WE Trust, recently launched a regional initiative to systematically address the root causes of child trafficking and exploitation in South Asia. This initiative builds on our previous initiatives that sought to combat child exploitation and hazardous labor in Bangladesh and address the exploitation of children in India.

In this initiative, grassroots organizations are tackling complex and multifaceted issues such as intergenerational poverty; harmful social and cultural norms; gender inequality; limited access to education; and a lack of positive employment opportunities. In addition to addressing the root causes of exploitation, these organizations are empowering youth and communities to lead local interventions that reduce harm, as well as promoting children’s rights and empowerment.

One of the key aspects of this initiative is shifting power to local communities. The program design, implementation, and learning are participatory, inclusive, context-specific, and driven by youth and community members.

To support these grassroots organizations, Global Fund for Children is providing long-term flexible funding, alongside a wide range of capacity development services including partnership building and leadership training.

This initiative will begin in Bangladesh and expand to India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in 2024. It is a funder collaborative, and there is room for additional funders to join.

Meet our new partners in Bangladesh:

ALOKITO SHISHU

Bangladesh | Dhaka

Alokito Shishu is a youth-led organization that fosters the education and skill development of children, youth, and adolescents from marginalized communities. The organization promotes youth volunteerism and has a large network of youth volunteers in Bangladesh.

ARSHIRBAD MOHILA UNNAYAN SAMITY

Bangladesh | Mymensingh

Arshirbad Mohila Unnayan Samity is a women-led organization working for the betterment of women, children, adolescents, and youth in the historically marginalized Dalit communities in the Mymensingh District of Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Bangladesh | Pabna

Bangladesh Rural Economic Development (BRED) aims to improve the socio-economic and livelihood status of underprivileged people facing the impacts of climate change including adolescents, youth, and women by strengthening their capacity, creating scope of employment through income-generating activities, and establishing social rights.

DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH AND AGRICULTURE REHABILITATION ADVANCEMENT

Bangladesh | Jashore

Development of Health and Agriculture Rehabilitation Advancement (DHARA) is a women-led organization working to ensure health, education, and shelter for minority communities with a focus on underprivileged women, children, and youth. DHARA establishes partnerships to create community interventions that are financially, technologically, and environmentally efficient and thus contribute to achieving sustainable poverty reduction.

ETHNIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

Bangladesh | Sylhet

Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO) is an organization of Indigenous people working for the development of different Indigenous tea garden communities in Sylhet Division in northeastern Bangladesh.

GROW YOUR READER FOUNDATION

Bangladesh | Dhaka

Grow Your Reader Foundation (GYRF) is a women- and youth-led organization that uses creative learning methodologies to ensure access to quality education for children, adolescents, and youth.

Header Photo: GFC’s staff interacting with women from Dalit Community in Mymensingh. © GFC