Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has undertaken a programme titled ‘Achieving a Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Society through Enhanced Engagement of Civil Society and Citizens in Bangladesh’. This initiative is focused on addressing deep-rooted socio-economic and political inequalities in Bangladesh, where marginalised communities—including women, youth, and ethnic minorities—face systematic exclusion. The programme will aim to empower these marginalised communities, strengthen local governance, and promote evidence-based policymaking to achieve SDGs 5 (Gender Equality) and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

This programme is jointly supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC), facilitated by GFA Consulting Group, and implemented by CPD.

• Citizen Mobilisation: This initiative will focus on actively engaging a diverse group of citizens, including women, youth, and marginalised communities, in the districts of Bogura, Sherpur, Sunamganj, and Noakhali, throughout the programme implementation period. Specific upazillas of these four districts have been selected high poverty rate, geographic vulnerabilities, presence of marginalised and ethnic communities and high percentage of NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) youth.

• • Bogura District: Gabtali, Sariakandi, Shibganj, Shajahanpur
  • Sherpur District: Jhenaigati, Nalitabari, Sreebardi, Nakla
  • Sunamganj District: Tahirpur, Sunamganj Sadar, Bishomborpur, Doara Bazar
  • Noakhali District: Noakhali Sadar, Subarnachar, Begumganj, Sonaimuri

The intervention will aim to support them in building the capacity to assume leadership roles, contribute to positive changes in their lives and communities, and influence public service decisions in their favour.

• Youth Engagement: To engage a broader audience in its civil society initiative, CPD plans to implement various activities, including specific initiatives aimed at youth engagement.
• Research: CPD proposes to conduct comprehensive research and organise advocacy dialogues targeting SDG 5 and SDG 16 as part of the programme activities. CPD plans to conduct two key research studies, one focused on SDG 5 and the other on SDG 16.
• Dialogue and Outreach: The programme will organise four national dialogues throughout the programme implementation period, all of which will take place in Dhaka. To further enhance advocacy efforts, CPD will also organise two roundtable discussions with national dailies, one focusing on SDG 5 and the other on SDG 16. CPD will develop a range of outreach materials to maximise engagement related to SDGs 5 and 16.
• Conclave: CPD proposes to organise a national conclave in Dhaka as the final activity of the programme.This event will bring together over 400 participants, including 200 Citizen Group (CG) members from outside Dhaka, Community Volunteers (CVs), Field Coordinators (FCs), students, youth leaders, political figures, civil society representatives, academics, policymakers, and the media.

To achieve its objectives across the different clusters, the programme will undertake a range of key activities: 

• Citizen mobilisation, social audit, and engagement with Local Authorities: CPD proposes to actively engage a diverse group of citizens, including women, youth, and ethnic minorities, in the districts of Bogura, Sherpur, Sunamganj, and Noakhali, throughout the programme implementation period.
  Implementing Partners (IPs) will form 1 Citizen Group (CG) in each of the 4 upazilas of the 4 districts mentioned above. In total, 16 CGs will be established, comprising 320 people, with each group containing 20 members.The activities under this initiative will include: 
  • Developing the capacity of selected diverse citizens 
  • Conducting social audits through their direct engagement 
  • Facilitating their access to Local Authorities (LAs) 
• Research:  The initiative will use a comprehensive research approach, including large-scale surveys with 1,500 households for SDG 5 and SDG 16, expert group meetings to guide research design, and field data collection in remote areas. Social audit findings from Citizen Groups will be integrated, and secondary data will supplement primary research. The initiative will produce four policy briefs with actionable recommendations for policymakers, focusing on SDG 5 and SDG 16. 
• Advocacy dialogues: CPD will organise four national dialogues, with survey results and study findings presented to a diverse group of stakeholders, including students, academics, CSO representatives, youth leaders, political figures, development partners, and policymakers. All dialogues will be held physically, with virtual participation from outside Dhaka, and live-streamed on CPD’s social media. Media will also cover the events.Additionally, two roundtable discussions will be organised with national dailies, one focusing on SDG 5 and the other on SDG 16. The findings from the dialogues will be integrated into these discussions, and outcomes will be published in the national dailies.
• Youth engagement activities: To engage youth, CPD will organise a cartoon and photography competition. 
• Communication and Outreach activities: CPD will develop a range of outreach materials and organise events to maximise engagement.Outreach will include: 
  • Creating and disseminating brochures, infographics, animated videos, and policy briefs. 
  • Conducting awareness-building activities on social media platforms. 
  • Organising national dialogues and roundtable discussions.
     
• National conclave: CPD proposes to organise a national conclave in Dhaka as the final activity of the programme. All outreach materials developed during the initiative will be showcased and distributed throughout the conclave. 

The agenda will include discussions on findings from the social audits, consultations with local authorities, research studies, and dialogues, and roundtable events, providing a platform to share programme outcomes and key discussions.The outcomes of the cartoon and photography competition will also be showcased at the conclave.