Rights and Governance (RAG)

A meeting of grassroots group leaders discussing issues of common concern relating to local governance

The program seeks to establish human rights to deepen and advance democracy and governance in Bangladesh. It provides training, education, mobilization and advocacy support at different levels to strengthen civil society, curb the abuse of power and corruption, and promote a culture of transparency and accountability in public governance. Also, it works to make sure the public institutions respond efficiently to the needs of people, especially the vulnerable, the excluded and the marginalized.

Civic Awareness of Right to Participation in Strengthening Union Parishads (CARPSUP) Project

The facilitator outlining the grassroots training curriculum in an internal workshop

The union parishads (UPs) are the lowest tier of the local government system in Bangladesh. Most UPs lack efficiency and accountability due to a lack of civic awareness of the important roles the institutions take on to develop the communities. Hence, the CARPSUP, a self-financed project undertaken by Civic Bangladesh, seeks to educate the organized community people on human dignity and rights, and enable and mobilize them to articulate their right to participation in formulating and implementing plans, claim access to services with dignity, and carry on social audits of the UPs’ performances. The grassroots awareness training course on “Promoting Rights and Participation” is an initial step towards building pro-people, people-friendly and responsive union parishads.