Sanjida MEK unit_Provati, LGED

IFAD Project Supervision Mission in the Field, September 15 to 18, 2024

A 10-member Project Supervision Mission conducted a field visit from 15 to 18 September 2024 to PROVATi3 - LGED. The mission was accompanied by the new IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh, Dr. Ir. Valantine Achancho, and led by Mr. Kees Blok. The team embarked on a comprehensive evaluation of various project activities, including market construction carried out by LCS (Labour Contracting Societies), held separate discussions with both male and female LCS members, observed the implementation of household activities under the GALS (Gender Action Learning System) approach, explored the innovative "Sathi Paribar" (Partner-Family) initiative, and assessed youth vocational training programs facilitated by NGO-MFIs and Government Technical Training Centers. Furthermore, the team reviewed the operations of a school-cum-flood shelter and evaluated the Early Flood Warning System, implemented by the Department of Disaster Management with technical support from RIMES.

Throughout the visit, the team engaged in in-depth discussions with the local community to better understand the impact of the project interventions. The community expressed high levels of satisfaction with the project’s outcomes and articulated their hopes for expanded support from IFAD to further strengthen their livelihoods and enhance community resilience.

The mission ended by a wrap-up meeting on 26 September 2024, chaired by Mr. Md. Mahmudul Hasan, NDC, Director General (MIE), Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C). During this meeting, the team conveyed their overall satisfaction with the project’s progress and highlighted the critical need to develop and implement a robust exit strategy, ensuring that all project activities are completed on time and deliver meaningful, lasting results. LGED expressed deep appreciation to IFAD for its sustained and valuable support, particularly recognizing IFAD's distinctive approach to targeting vulnerable communities and strengthening their resilience as a key mechanism for poverty reduction. LGED further requested IFAD to consider extending its support to additional areas, positioning the PROVATi3 project as a flagship initiative that has demonstrated significant learning, innovation, and success in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

A visit was made by Dr. Gerardine Mukeshimana, Vice President of IFAD, to the PROVATi3 (Promoting Resilience of Vulnerable through Access to Infrastructure, Improved Skills, and Information) Project, implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), on April 30, 2024 at Nilphamari, Bangladesh, accompanied by her entourage. The entourage included Ms. Reehana Rifat Raza, Regional Director for the Asia and the Pacific Division of IFAD; Ms. Stephanie Micallef, Senior Advisor to the Vice President; and Mr. Arnoud Hameleers, the Country Director of Bangladesh. Among others, the team was joined by Mr. Md. Anwar Hossain, Additional Chief Engineer of LGED, and Mr. Md. Anisul Wahab Khan, Project Director of PROVATi3, LGED.
The visit was highly encouraging and demonstrated a spirit of cooperation. During the visit, they inspected various activities, including Vocational Training, where Dr. Mukeshimana distributed certificates and stipends to successful trainees. They also inaugurated the operation of a newly constructed rural market and a market-connected road, along with local MP Mr. Md. Aftab Uddin Sarker of Nilphamari. Additionally, they distributed profits to members of the Market Construction Labour Contracting Society (LCS) members, attended an impact review workshop on Gender Action Learning System (GALS), and visited households of LCS-GALS.
Dr. Mukeshimana's comment, "The most remarkable aspect we've witnessed throughout the day is everyone's eagerness to utilize their income and training for sustainable endeavours," was highly encouraging and reinvigorated the commitment to work for the welfare of the people. She expressed gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh, stating, "We've been collaborating for quite some time now, and what truly matters is ensuring that this support reaches the individuals who need it most. I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to our partners for their dedication to impactful work and their willingness to invest in rural communities. Amidst countless options for engagement, their choice to commit time and resources to you reflects a commitment to a sustainable partnership."
LCS members and the communities in the field were extremely pleased and encouraged to get the team among them.

"Transforming Road Construction: Boosting Workers with Better Skills!"

The event marks the first-ever vocational skill-building training initiated for road construction workers in Bangladesh. The initiative is spearheaded by LGED as part of the PROVATi3-LGED project, funded by IFAD. The primary objectives of this training program are to enhance the quality of road construction and generate a skilled labour force for sustainable employment. The plan is to train 1,000 rural youths from the areas covered by the PROVATi3 project, initially employing them in rural road construction projects of LGED.

This initiative holds significant importance for several reasons. Firstly, it has introduced a formal training programme in road construction. Secondly, the project has successfully persuaded the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) to incorporate this course into their standard certification offerings. In the initial phase, a total of 1,000 trainees will receive training over a two-year period.

The training program was inaugurated on March 9, 2024, at the Construction Skill Training Centre (CSTC) of LGED in Gazipur. The inauguration was presided over by Mr. Gopal Krishna Debnath, Additional Chief Engineer (RIDM), and attended by the Superintendent Engineer and Project Director of PROVATi3, Mr Md. Anisul Wahab Khan, Superintendent Engineer (HR, E&G – LGED), Executive Engineer (Training -LGED), and Executive Engineer of Gazipur, LGED. In his inaugural speech, Mr. Gopal praised the efforts of the project team and expressed gratitude to both the project and IFAD for their support. He emphasized the importance of making the training course a success and pledged to continue the initiative to meet the need to uphold the quality of road construction. The Project Director of PROVATi3 recognised the understanding of IFAD for creating this opportunity.

“Kulsum transformed her to become self-reliant” on International Women's Day, 2024

LGED celebrated International Women's Day like in previous years. What made the observance unique was recognizing women who had made significant efforts towards self-reliance with support from LGED projects. This year, from the PROVATi3 project, an IFAD-funded project, Kulsum from Fulchori Upazila, Gaibandha district, a most remote area, was honoured for her remarkable progress towards self-reliance. She received a trophy additionally with a prize money from Md. Tajul Islam MP, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives. Kulsum served as a road maintenance LCS member for two years, earning around BDT 52000, which she invested in cow rearing. Starting with one cow, she expanded to five and eventually opened a variety shop to generate recurring income. Her efforts contributed to building financial stability. Kulsum's income increased from BDT 3000/month in 2019 to BDT 14000/month now. Landless poor Kulsum’s dedication led the local administration to provide her with a piece of land with a house. Despite her previous poverty, Kulsum now aspires for more with the knowledge gained from GALS and livelihood technology training provided by the project. Many others from the PROVATi3-LGED project are also achieving self-reliance, and establishing household visions for a better life together with their spouses. Md. Anisul Wahab Khan, Project Director of PROVATi3, commended Kulsum for her successful journey and offered prize money to further support her family's vision. The Project Director also awarded certificates of appreciation to project staff for their dedication to improving the livelihoods of the poor. Additionally, the community members from PROVATi3 in the years 2021 and 2002 were also recognised for their significant contributions.