Funded By: Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, the Government of Canada

Lead By: ILO Country Office, Bangladesh

Duration: Expected Oct 2023 – Nov 2025

Background: The ILO country office Bangladesh, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, with funding from the Canadian Government, launched the ProGRESS project to enhance employability for marginalized groups, including women, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities. Through value chain analysis, the project will identify and address barriers to gender equality and inclusion of vulnerable groups into the workforce through the skills systems to generate employment (wage and entrepreneurship). By mainstreaming diversity and inclusion in policies, building stakeholder capacities and improving training programs, BBDN’s role as an implementing partner ensures disability inclusion in all aspects of the initiative.

Working Area: Chattogram, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Bandarban, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Barishal, Khulna, Mymensingh and Sylhet.

Key Role of BBDN: 

(i) Engaging the private sector
(ii) Training and employment (wage + entrepreneurship) for 500 persons with disabilities
(iii) Building capacity of TVETs, OPDs and employers
(iv) Policy advocacy