The “Education and Community Development Project in Sunamganj (Livelihood)” is a comprehensive initiative implemented by Efforts for Rural Advancement (ERA) in Biswambharpur Upazila, with funding support from Muslim Charity, UK. This project aims to address the twin challenges of educational access and poverty reduction by integrating non-formal education with sustainable livelihood development, particularly for marginalized and underprivileged communities.
In remote and flood-prone regions like Biswambharpur, limited access to formal education, inadequate income-generating opportunities, and high levels of poverty have created cycles of deprivation and vulnerability. This project seeks to break that cycle by promoting education as a catalyst for empowerment and coupling it with livelihood support to strengthen community resilience.
Key objectives of the project include:
- Providing non-formal primary education to out-of-school children through community-based learning centers.
- Enhancing literacy, numeracy, and life skills among children to enable their reintegration into formal education or prepare them for future opportunities.
- Supporting women and youth from poor households with skills training in areas such as tailoring, livestock rearing, poultry farming, and small business management.
- Offering start-up support (e.g., toolkits, livestock, or seed capital) to help beneficiaries initiate income-generating activities and improve household income.
- Encouraging community participation and awareness through local committees, parental engagement, and awareness sessions on education, health, and rights.
The project is designed to be community-centered and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on gender equity and social inclusion. ERA facilitated training and mentoring programs, provided access to learning materials, and closely monitored both educational progress and livelihood outcomes.
By linking education with economic empowerment, this project has made a significant impact in improving the lives of vulnerable families in Biswambharpur. It has contributed to reducing school dropouts, increasing household income, and fostering a more self-reliant and resilient community. The initiative reflects ERA’s holistic approach to development—building human capital while also addressing the root causes of poverty.