The Undaunted Development Journey
Started in Northern Bangladesh

Regional Context

Over recent decades, northern Bangladesh has seen significant social, economic, and political transformations. While progress has been made in school enrollment, women’s economic participation, local governance, agricultural productivity, vegetation, and communication infrastructure, the region remains poor, vulnerable, and underdeveloped compared to national averages. Poverty reduction has been slower than expected due to ongoing challenges.

Development trends are mixed. Agricultural growth and crop diversification continue, but farmers face income losses caused by market instability and unfair trade practices. Women’s leadership in political arenas, including local government, has increased, though gaps in capacity remain. Seasonal hardships have lessened but not disappeared, and the employment crisis remains critical and unresolved, causing widespread concern without sustainable solutions.

Emergence of Srijonshil Gaibandha

Srijonshil Gaibandha began as a local community-based organization in Tengorjani, Tulshighat, Gaibandha Sadar (Gaibandha-5700). Gaibandha covers 2,179 square kilometers and is crossed by the Teesta, Brahmaputra, and Jamuna rivers, making it one of Bangladesh’s most disaster-prone districts. Frequent monsoon flooding, seasonal droughts, and river erosion displace residents and destroy livelihoods.

Unemployment is widespread due to lack of mills and factories. Most people rely on seasonal manual agricultural labor, which often leads to starvation or malnutrition during off-seasons. This pushes significant labor migration to urban and other rural areas, fueling social issues like early marriage, dowry, polygamy, divorce, and abuse, disproportionately impacting women and children.

In this context, a group of youth began socio-cultural and welfare activities on April 22, 2019. Their efforts evolved into a structured development program. The organization registered with the Department of Youth Development in 2022 and with the Department of Social Welfare in 2023, milestones that strengthened their mission’s resolve.

Environmental and Social Challenges

Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change impacts, with northern regions among the hardest hit by floods and climate-induced risks. While drought conditions have improved somewhat, erratic weather patterns especially linked to Himalayan environmental changes pose ongoing challenges.

Upstream flooding disrupts rural livelihoods annually and hampers the agriculture-based economy. Given Gaibandha’s strategic location as a gateway for major Himalayan rivers, floods are inevitable. River erosion remains a serious concern. Nonetheless, environmental progress such as widespread tree planting has gained momentum.

Gender discrimination has decreased overall, but violence against women remains a serious issue. Compared to other regions, Gaibandha benefits from relatively strong communal peace and harmony. However, char dwellers remain marginalized and lack essential government services. Wage exploitation continues, particularly affecting landless laborers and ethnic minorities, with women disproportionately impacted.