In the past two years, the British Council's 'Leadership for Advancing Development in Bangladesh (LEAD Bangladesh)' project has supported 4500 youths across Bangladesh to enhance their leadership skills to identify innovative, sustainable solutions to local and global challenges. 40 experienced professionals and leaders from the Bangladeshi diaspora community in the UK have volunteered mentorship support to young Bangladeshi leaders.
After receiving the training, the young people initiated 240 Social Action Projects (SAPs) in three critical areas of Bangladesh's development linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Social Entrepreneurship, Climate Change, and Civic Engagement, benefitting more than 80,000 community members. The LEAD Bangladesh project has focused on increasing youth engagement, voice, agency, and participation in policy development in Bangladesh and developing future change-makers with a global perspective.
The participants from Bangladesh also have had access to 'Commonwealth 100' - an online platform which provides further self-access training on leadership and opportunities for global collaboration and networking with young people across the Commonwealth. As direct participants of the SAPs, conducted by the young leaders, Bangladeshi community members at SAP locations, including local government, were involved through discussion and action in the design and implementation of the SAPs, which was a critical aspect for the success and sustainability of the programme.
