The Bangladesh government, China, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday launched a new project aimed at improving the livelihoods of low-income urban communities.
Titled ‘Livelihoods Support for Urban Poor Communities in Bangladesh (LSUPCB)’, the project is being implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, with funding from Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) under the leadership of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).
The project aims to strengthen urban livelihoods through skills development, nutrition support, and small-scale critical infrastructure, empowering marginalised households across Dhaka North, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Chandpur, in line with national strategies for inclusive urban development.
Md Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, Secretary of the Local Government Division, was the chief guest in the event held in Dhaka and has emphasised the project’s significance amid rising climate vulnerability.
“Bangladesh contributes less than 0.35 per cent of global emissions yet ranks among the most climate-vulnerable countries. This project is a crucial step to strengthen the livelihoods of our urban poor, uphold their dignity, and build resilience against climate change,” he said.
Song Yang, Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development.
“China will continue to support Bangladesh’s economic and social development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods through concrete actions,” he noted. “Together with UNDP and other partners, we aim to build a fairer and more inclusive world; a world where poverty becomes a thing of the past.”
Stefan Liller, Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh, emphasised the project’s transformative potential. He said, “For over two decades, UNDP has supported large-scale urban resilience and livelihoods programmes tailored to the needs of vulnerable urban communities. Building on these successes, today marks a new chapter. With the support of CIDCA, this programme strengthens South-South cooperation and reinforces shared priorities under the 2030 Agenda”
Earlier in the event, Anowarul Haq, assistant resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, presented an overview of the project.
Yugesh Pradhanang, project manager, UNDP, followed with a detailed presentation on the project framework and strategies, highlighting plans for skills training, nutritional support, and inclusive livelihood opportunities to address challenges faced by urban poor communities, particularly women and children.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit 100,000 members of urban poor communities, while also enhancing institutional capacity for more inclusive and sustainable city governance.
