A high-level delegation from the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh conducted a three-day visit from 6-8 February 2025, to assess the progress of the “Pathways to Prosperity for Extremely Poor People – European Union (PPEPP-EU)” project in the coastal regions. The delegation included Dr. Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation; Ms. Trijntje Talen, Head of Finance Contracts and Audit; Mr. Nicolas Merville, Finance and Contracts Manager; and Ms. Meher Nigar Bhuiyan, Programme Manager – Green Inclusive Development.
Meeting with the Partner Organizations of PKSF
The EU mission held a meeting with Partner Organizations (POs) involved in implementing the PPEPP-EU project. Dr. Krejza acknowledged their efforts and reiterated the EU’s commitment to sustainable and resilient livelihoods, with future investment plans in climate adaptation. The POs highlighted PKSF’s crucial role in strengthening their capacity through financial assistance, training, technical assistance, institutional development, monitoring, policy guidance, innovation, and research. The main challenges in the coastal regions highlighted by the POs include salinity issues and vulnerability to natural disasters. Despite these challenges, the project continues to support beneficiaries through resilient livelihoods, nutrition and primary healthcare, inclusive finance, climate resilience, disability inclusion and women empowerment.
Discussion with the Prosperity Village Committee members
The delegation interacted with Prosperity Village Committee (PVC) members in Koikhali Union of Shyamnagar Upazila and Borodol Union of Asasuni Upazila in Satkhira district. They learned that PVCs serve as the project’s core service points, organizing extremely poor people and introducing them to project interventions. The delegation also observed that PVC members are making significant progress, with many now leading better lives due to the project’s support. Members participate in various loan schemes offered by the project, enabling them to start businesses such as commercial vegetable farming, land leasing, commercial aquaculture, poultry farming, livestock raising, fisheries, tailoring, and handicrafts. Additionally, they reported improved financial stability and diversified crop production, which has created additional income streams and enhanced their overall livelihoods.
Observing Climate-Resilient Livelihoods
The mission observed climate-resilient farm and off-farm income-generating activities (IGAs) undertaken by the project participants. The members shared that the project provides appropriate technology, skills training, technical services, entrepreneurship development, and vocational support to selected participants. It also offers grants and specialized loan services. The delegation observed various IGAs, including bamboo and cane crafts, fishing gear production, agro-food processing, live fish fry selling in oxygenated vans, mobile servicing, fish processing, crab fattening, poultry and sheep rearing, vegetable cultivation, tailoring, and mustard oil seed production. They then visited a climate-resilient, high-value vegetable cultivation cluster, where extremely poor households grow commercial vegetable and spices such as brinjal, onion, garlic, tomato, cauliflower, turnip, and beetroot in leased land. Climate-resilient farmers among the project beneficiaries have helped transition of climate vulnerable farming community from a traditional single-crop system (Aman rice only) to a climate resilient multiple-cropping system, contributing to the area’s economic growth.
Visiting a Prosperity House
The delegation visited a ‘Prosperity House,’ a model for sustainable poverty alleviation through income diversification. The household manages 14 farm and non-farm IGAs, generating over BDT 15,000 per month while ensuring family nutrition. The Prosperity House has provided the household with multiple income sources and helped scale-up their successful IGAs for steady financial growth.
Witnessing Nutrition Interventions and Social Awareness
The delegation visited a “Mother and Child Forum” formed under the project and was pleased to see how the project is raising awareness about the nutritional value of different food items. Members shared that they now understand cooking methods that help preserve the nutritional value of their food. They also reported that through PPEPP-EU, they now have better understanding in under-5 children feeding and healthcare. Additionally, the project has provided education on breastfeeding practices, antenatal and postnatal care, hygiene practices, sanitation measures and more. The team was also impressed by the confidence and awareness of the adolescent girls from a “Social Development Centre”, particularly in areas of hygiene, including menstrual health, basic healthcare (such as blood pressure monitoring), and social skills. They were further inspired by the girls’ motivation and newfound confidence to stand up against injustices.
Meeting with Upazila-level government officials
The team met with local government officials from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Livestock, and the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of the Upazila office to discuss the project’s collaboration with local government extension services in supporting the targeted extremely poor population in the working area.
Assessing Financial Performances
During the mission, the EU delegation also reviewed financial transactions at both the branch and head office levels of the POs and offered recommendations for improving financial management of the project activities.
Overall, the EU mission observed significant progress in poverty alleviation of south coastal land, with PKSF and its Partner Organizations making a positive impact on the targeted project participants. The combination of loans and technical assistance has transformed lives and livelihoods of the target people towards a resilient and more sustainable system. The team was impressed with the POs’ experience and deep understanding of local challenges. The EU team commended the project progress and emphasized on the importance of continued collaboration in uplifting Bangladesh’s extremely poor people.