US Bureau allocates $0.6m to promote BD democracy

The US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour (DRL) has decided to allocate approximately US $ 0.6 million (600,000) for implementing projects that promote democracy and human rights in Bangladesh. The DRL has invited organisations to submit proposals outlining programme concepts and capacity to manage projects targeting two key areas – strengthening civil society (approximately $ 300,000) and empowering youth leaders (approximately $ 300,000), according to the US Department of State. DRL’s objective is to increase peaceful civic participation in Bangladesh and the bureau seeks proposals for programmes that focus on strengthening civil society organisations’ monitoring, accountability, and oversight initiatives through inclusiveness and non-violence. Its another goal is to increase peaceful civic participation in Bangladesh by empowering the youth to become agents of positive social change within their communities. The bureau seeks projects that strengthen youth leaders’ knowledge of basic principles of transparency, accountability, non-violent and inclusive civic participation; and incorporate a small grants mechanism that change leaders can leverage to work with relevant stake holders to address pressing community issues, according to UNB.