City Bank has partnered with UNICEF to equip marginalised adolescents and young people, especially girls, with climate-resilient and entrepreneurship skills under a pilot initiative named Skills4Youth. The partnership was announced on Monday at a signing ceremony in Dhaka, the bank said a press statement.
The programme will focus on climate-exposed districts such as Bagerhat, offering training aligned with local market needs, career mentoring and access to apprenticeships and job pathways with community-level enterprises.
Designed with a strong gender lens, the project will introduce practical learning in green livelihoods, seeking to expand income opportunities while strengthening resilience among young people most at risk of economic and climate shocks.
“Every child and young person deserves a chance to dream, learn and thrive. This partnership is more than an investment in skills — it is an investment in hope,” said UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Rana Flowers.
“By preparing young women and adolescents in vulnerable communities for the job market, we are helping them step into leadership and long-term economic participation,” she said.
City Bank managing director and CEO Mashrur Arefin said the collaboration aims to turn learning into livelihoods.
“Our goal is clear — skills that create jobs, financial stability and dignity for young people who need opportunities the most,” he said.
Flowers and Arefin signed the agreement on behalf of their organisations.
The event was attended by City Bank additional managing director and CFO Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, additional managing director and COO Mahia Juned, additional managing director and CIO Kazi Azizur Rahman and Head of Brand and Marketing Shahriar Jamil Khan alongside senior officials from both sides.
