Feeding new job opportunities
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Project NameShamortha plus
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Project Phase2022 to 2025
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FundingUSAID
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Thematic focusSkills, Jobs and Income
Private Sector Development
In Bangladesh, the COVID-19 crisis had a considerable impact on the economy and especially on women and young people who lost their jobs and education opportunities. Many companies, especially in food processing, was also highly affected. Shamortha plus works with private sector partners to increase their resilience and create new job opportunities.
In Bangladesh, the COVID-19 crisis has been particularly hard for women and young people. Many have lost their source of income or could not complete their education, thus jeopardizing their future. Those who had migrated to cities or abroad in search of better opportunities were forced to return and still faced significant challenges in finding new jobs. The pandemic had a considerable impact on the economy as well, and the food processing sector was among the most affected. Companies experienced a drop in demand, higher costs, and a lack of skilled workforce.
With the funding of the USAID-Feed the Future initiative, Helvetas Bangladesh is working in 5 districts (Narsingdi, Maymensing, Jamalur, Barishal and Madaripur), partnering with prominent Bangladeshi food processing companies, like Pran. Through this programme, 6,000 disadvantaged young people and returned migrants, especially women, will get training opportunities to learn new skills required in food processing companies. At the end of their learning journey, the participants will have gained the necessary competencies and partner companies will ensure them an employment.
The project is also working to improve the skills and boost the knowledge of 2,500 people already working in food processing companies.
Nazmin Akter, 23
To make the capacity development programme more inclusive, ensuring people living in remote communities and women busy with family and childcare an opportunity to participate, Shamorta plus has developed and innovative training system. The participants attend a series of sessions provided by skilled trainers; then, they finish their theoretical learning at home through digital lessons that can be accessed via mobile phone or computer. The training ends with practical training sessions in factories.
Under the USAID-Feed the Future initiative, Helvetas Bangladesh will also develop new marketing strategies for food processing companies, reinforce their preparation to face future crises and advocate for improving the food sector business environment.
Ultimately, this intervention will contribute to country’s economic growth and fight poverty through business recovery, and the economic well-being of marginalized populations in Bangladesh.
