MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP

We aspire for a just and green world, therefore it is imperative to build, and nurture respectful partnership of the duty bearers and duty holders based on rights, values and feminist principles. The absence of such understanding and practice of it has established exploitative and extractive relations creating discrimination, disparity, disillusionment, displacement, and dehumanising of the marginalised. Partnership is in our view a virtue and indispensable for sustainable change. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

In 2020 and 2021, when we experienced the pandemic, collective action through partnership was put to test. It is about collective action for common rights. Collaboration and joint ownership bring the best outcome, especially if we aspire for rights and transformation.

To think critically about partnership and their projected impact, we need to understand the concepts of ‘ecosystem’ and a ‘partner ecosystem.’ A group of partners interacting in an environment for mutual success. We are a part of many successful and diverse range of partnerships, which include donor-implementer partnerships, partnerships with community, government, researchers, private sector, and civil society organisations. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead.

2021 was a tricky year for all of us in many ways. We faced new and important challenges, however it also proved that we were resilient. The growth we experienced in 2021 came with an unusual set of challenges that required flexibility, immediate responses, and lots of changes. A key determinant factor to overcome these challenges was partnership; it was critical to ensure that no one is left behind. The women, young people, people with special needs, Rohingya refugees, people vulnerable to climate change impacts were impacted by the pandemic.

We believe everyone has innate potential in them to bring changes for themselves; therefore, we strengthened our role of a catalyst by providing them resources, knowledge products, tools and more to face challenges. I am proud to look back and see that, despite the trying circumstances, collectively we did more than just navigate the storm.

Through successful partnerships we reached 764,629 people across Bangladesh, of which 77% are women and children. We raised a total BDT 970,547,145 because of the varied partnerships.

Intent to achieve SDG 17 led to collaboration with different ministries of the Government of Bangladesh, civil society organisations, UN agencies, and private sector actors. Securing people’s voice and involvement in policy formulation was central and we saw greater engagement of young people in disaster risk management, in advocating for workers’ rights, women’s overall empowerment, and mobilisation for climate justice at both local and national level.

The development of evidence-based resources for policy advocacy; data generation, development of socio-economic indicators to ensure a data-driven approach in our work resulted from partnership with research organisation and academia.

As I reflect on what we have achieved together, the top on my list is trust, confidence, and partnership, while acknowledging incremental change and certain stubborn challenges. We have defined a clear road map for the partnerships in the coming years and will adapt our roadmap to the terrain. Our commitment to creating long-term partnership shall not waiver. Therefore, we dedicate the Annual Report 2021 to ‘Partnership 4 Change’.

I take this opportunity to thank all of you who believed in ActionAid Bangladesh and partnered with us. We will continue to bring change by co-creating a just and poverty-free world for all.