As part of the initiative titled “Equality and Equity in Bangladesh: Sustainable Development with People’s Participation,” a day-long training session on “Social Audit” was held on 15 October 2025 at the GUK Conference Hall, GUK Tower, Banani, Bogura.
This training was organised as part of the Nagorikata Programme, implemented by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) with the joint support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and the High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh, facillitated by GFA Consulting Group GmbH, and in collaboration with Gram Unnayan Karma (GUK).
A total of 80 members from previously formed citizen groups under the programme, along with four community volunteers and field coordinators from Gabtali, Shariakandi, Shibganj and Shahjahanpur upazilas, participated in the training. Officials from GUK and CPD attended the event, fostering an environment of collaboration and shared learning. Experienced mentors from the Nagorikata Programme, field coordinators, community volunteers, and the CPD team jointly facilitated the sessions.
The inaugural session was addressed by Dr Md Mahbub Alam, Senior Director of Gram Unnayan Karma (GUK), and Mr Avra Bhattacharjee, Additional Director (Dialogue and Outreach) of CPD. In their remarks, they emphasised the importance of social audit in ensuring transparency, accountability, and participatory governance at the local level. The event was chaired by Dr Md Mahbub Alam, who highlighted the crucial role of active civic engagement in promoting inclusive community development.
Throughout the day, various interactive sessions were held, including thematic discussions, mock trials, and group exercises. Participants received hands-on training on the process and methodology of social audit, focusing on key principles such as the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), Leave No One Behind (LNOB), and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). The training also covered practical tools like survey questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), enabling participants to apply these methods in real-world scenarios.
The sessions were facilitated by Mr Md Raisul Islam, Field Coordinator of the Nagorikata Programme, and community volunteers under the supervision of Mr Md Mozahidul Islam, Project Consultant, and Md Jawadul Karim, Monitoring and Evaluation Associate, CPD. The facilitators guided participants through exercises on data collection, teamwork, and field planning, enhancing their capacity for local-level monitoring and evaluation.
The closing session, led by Dr Md Mahbub Alam and Mr Avra Bhattacharjee, reflected on the key learnings and achievements of the training. Mr Bhattacharjee expressed appreciation to all participants for their active engagement and reaffirmed CPD’s and GUK’s commitment to supporting community-driven accountability and inclusive development. Dr Alam concluded the programme by encouraging participants to apply their new skills in strengthening civic participation and improving public service delivery within their communities.
