Objectives

To enhance youth leadership and civic engagement, and equip marginalised youth, women, and PwDs with the knowledge and skills to actively participate in democratic processes, fostering accountability and good governance across Bangladesh.

Project Summary

The AHEAD Bangladesh Project, funded by the European Union through the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), is a nationwide initiative designed to empower youth and women by enhancing civic education, leadership skills, and active participation in the electoral process nationwide. The project aims to address the low levels of voter participation among women and youth—particularly in rural areas—and to equip them with the knowledge and confidence needed to actively participate in elections. At the heart of this project is the belief that every vote counts and that empowering women to exercise their right to vote is essential for building an inclusive, accountable, and participatory democracy in Bangladesh.

The project will train 24 youth leaders as master trainers in a national training program, 4 for each division, to serve as trainers and mentors, spreading knowledge and guiding their peers through the voter education process. The master trainers will then conduct divisional trainings, where 2 youth from each of the 300 constituencies of Bangladesh will participate. These 600 youth participants, selected from across Bangladesh, will take part in training sessions and conduct community outreach programs, where they will engage directly with local communities. They will be trained to facilitate civic education sessions in their constituencies, specifically targeting first-time voters and women, who have historically been underrepresented in the electoral process. As part of this training, youth will also lead 300 community action projects, which will be designed to directly engage local citizens in conversations about the importance of voter participation and choosing candidates that represent their interests.

One of the central components of this initiative is “Ekannor JAAGORON”, a digital awareness campaign which is focused on women’s empowerment, aiming to raise awareness about women’s voting rights and the critical role women can play in the electoral process. Although women represent 51% of the population, their rights and demands are often overlooked in national policies. Through social media platforms, online tools, and community-driven digital campaigns, the project seeks to create a unified awareness among women about the importance of their vote and how they can impact the future of the country by selecting the right candidates. These campaigns are designed to highlight how choosing leaders who prioritise women’s rights, gender equality, and inclusive policies can improve healthcare, education, workplace safety, and legal protections for women across Bangladesh. By educating women on these issues, the campaign will inspire active participation in the electoral process, making women more aware of the power they hold in shaping the policies that affect their lives.

The overarching goal of the AHEAD Bangladesh Project is to bridge the gap in civic knowledge among young women and youth across Bangladesh. By fostering democratic values, increasing electoral awareness, and ensuring that women know their rights and their power within the electoral system, the project will ensure that women’s voices are heard and represented in the political process. Furthermore, this project will help build an environment where youth and women not only vote, but also influence the creation of policies and laws that affect their lives and communities.

The project will focus on community outreach, ensuring that electoral engagement goes beyond traditional voter education and instead promotes a holistic approach to civic participation. The digital campaign, alongside community-based training programs, will work together to create a movement for empowered women voters, ensuring their active role in selecting leaders who will push for gender-sensitive policies. Ultimately, the project will build a stronger, more inclusive democracy in Bangladesh, where youth and women are not only voters but active contributors to the nation’s future.