UBL partners with UK, others to launch TRANSFORM Climate Challenge

Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL), the country's leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods company, to announced a new collaboration with the UK government, EY, the SAJIDA Foundation and the British Asian Trust to launch the TRANSFORM Climate Challenge, said a press release.
This new impact accelerator aims to promote climate resilience and plastic circularity through innovative businesses in Bangladesh.
Unilever, UK government and EY are experienced collaborators on the TRANSFORM initiative, which has positively impacted the lives of 10 million people, 3 million of which are in Bangladesh.
They join forces with the SAJIDA Foundation and the British Asian Trust on the TRANSFORM Climate Challenge to support social innovators working in the areas of regenerative agriculture and water, sanitation and hygiene (WSH) and are together expanding the scope to also include plastic circularity.
The TRANSFORM Climate Challenge launch event was held at the residence of British High Commissioner in Bangladesh. British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Chairman and Managing Director of UBL Zaved Akhtar were present on the occasion.
Representatives from partners of the initiative were also present at the event.
Under the TRANSFORM Climate Challenge, innovative businesses can access more than Tk 50.50 million (5.5 crore) in grant capital, business mentoring and have the opportunity to test innovations in corporate value chains. Having received a large number of applications on WSH and regenerative agriculture, the Challenge is now open for applications from Bangladeshi enterprises working on the collection and processing of plastic waste and enhancing recycling capabilities for plastic waste.
Entrepreneurs can apply from November 01, 2023. Through TRANSFORM, the UK government will provide successful applicants with grant funding of up to Tk 9,000,000 per enterprise to test and scale their projects. This is combined with learning, exchange and networking opportunities with other grantees and business support from Unilever and EY through TRANSFORM.
This programme will be informed by research led by EY on mapping the regenerative plastic value chain in India and Bangladesh. The new report highlights the impact of the surge in plastic waste generation, exacerbated by inadequate waste management infrastructure, limited recycling facilities, and inadequate public awareness.
Sarah Cooke said: "Partnership and innovation are key parts of the TRANSFORM model. It empowers entrepreneurs who know their communities best and works with them to test innovative solutions.”