SS News Desk
Dhaka, 28 July 2025
With foreign aid to Bangladesh’s development sector on the decline, stakeholders at a high-level roundtable in Dhaka called for a shift toward self-reliant and community-led financing strategies.
Organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, the event titled “Strengthening Community Support Amid Changing Funding Landscapes” brought together key representatives from government, civil society, development agencies, and academia.
Moderated by Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, the discussion highlighted the severe impact of shrinking aid on marginalised communities, particularly women and children. Kabir urged the sector to “shift from dependency to dignity” through local resource mobilisation, CSR engagement, digital advocacy, and South-South cooperation.
KAM Morshed of BRAC stressed the need for internal funding models and legal reforms to empower CSOs, including tax incentives and streamlined public-private partnerships. Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem from CPD encouraged CSOs to align with national goals and adopt outcome-based, tech-driven approaches.
Environmental expert S.M. Munjurul Hannan Khan criticised the country’s limited access to global climate finance, citing institutional weaknesses and lack of coordination. Meanwhile, government representative Md. Aminul Islam called for long-term financing models aligned with international shifts.
Zakir Hossain Khan of Change Initiative warned against the rebranding of aid under climate finance without transparency, urging community-led stewardship and carbon taxation. Syeda Nasrina Parvin of the Department of Women Affairs stressed stronger NGO-government collaboration, backed by better governance.
Keynote speaker Ibrahim Khalil Al-Zayad, Chair of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society, called for tax exemptions on donations, better use of Zakat funds, and stronger diaspora engagement.
Actionable proposals included mandatory CSR policies, enhanced NGO financial governance, and transparent public-private partnership frameworks in sectors like health and education.
Source: Press release on 29th July, AAB, Action Aid Bangladesh
