AVAS Signs Memorandum of Understanding with University of Barishal
AVAS Signs Memorandum of Understanding with University of Barishal
The Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS) and the University of Barishal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 11 November 2026 to strengthen collaboration in research, practical learning and student internships. The partnership connects academic knowledge with development practice, creating opportunities for students while supporting cooperation for community well-being.
The signing ceremony took place at 3:00 PM at the Vice-Chancellor’s office. Rahima Sultana Kazal, Executive Director of AVAS, and Dr. Abdul Alim Baser, Registrar (Acting) of the University of Barishal, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions, in the presence of Professor Dr. Md. Mamun Or Rashid, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Barishal.
Professor Dr. Md. Sadequr Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Chairman of the Department of Sociology, Md. Shahidul Islam of AVAS, and other university and AVAS representatives also attended the ceremony.
News-
AVAS Signs Memorandum of Understanding with University of Barishal
Climate Adaptation and Resilience Empowerment
Implemented by
Funded By
Project Duration
1 Dec 2024 – 30 Nov 2026
Donor/partner
Gates Foundation
Working Area
South and Southwestern Coastal Bangladesh
STATUS
Ongoing
Impact at a Glance
700
Women Smallholder Farmers
50
Self-Help Groups
14
Member Per Group
02
Unions
01
Upazilla
Project Goal
To improve the livelihoods, climate resilience and economic empowerment of vulnerable rural women farmers by increasing their access to climate-adaptive agriculture, finance, technology, markets and women-led policy advocacy.
Project Overview
CARE for Women (Climate Adaptation and Resilience Empowerment) is a gender-transformative climate adaptation initiative led by AVAS to strengthen the livelihoods and resilience of 700 rural women smallholder farmers in the coastal regions of Bangladesh.
The project organizes women farmers into 50 self-help groups and supports them with seed funding, savings and credit mechanisms, climate-smart agricultural practices, entrepreneurship development, market linkages and e-commerce opportunities.
Women farmers will be supported to test and adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices, including climate-tolerant crops and nature-based solutions. The project also promotes women’s participation in local and national climate adaptation policy processes so that their experiences and evidence can contribute to more gender-responsive climate policies.
The initiative brings together AVAS, BINDU, COAST Foundation and Street Child, combining grassroots implementation, women’s leadership, climate adaptation, participatory research, safeguarding and policy advocacy.
Project Objectives
Increase employment, entrepreneurship and market engagement among youth, especially young women, contributing to economic resilience.
Strengthen WASH, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, child protection, safeguarding, and sponsorship communication across program activities.
Support young children, children, adolescents and youth, especially girls, through adequate childcare services and inclusive quality education.
Promote an enabling environment for girls and young women to realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Empower children, adolescents and youth to develop leadership and advocacy skills and drive systemic change for gender equality and inclusive governance.
Photo Gallery
Project Working Area
SDG Areas Covered
Story
Samia’s Story: Not Child Marriage, Education Is My Dream
Samia Begum, a 15-year-old sponsored child from Char Bheduria, Bhola Sadar, resisted early marriage and chose to continue her education. With support from AVAS and Plan International Bangladesh’s Sponsorship Funded Program, she received leadership, life-skills and self-defense training, joined children and youth forums, and started a home nutrition garden. Today, Samia continues her studies, speaks against child marriage, and inspires other girls to claim their rights.
Major Activities
- ECD/SBK Centre Operation
- Inclusive and Remedial Education Support
- Parenting, Fathers’ Café and Grandparents’ Club Sessions
- Child and Youth Leadership Development
- Life Skills and Self-Defence Training
- Child Protection, Safeguarding and Referral Support
- Child Marriage Prevention and Community Awareness
- Rally, Street Drama and Advocacy Campaigns
- SRHR, MHM and Health Awareness Activities
- Health Screening, Medical Referral and Support
- Youth Skill Development and Livelihood Support
- Agribusiness and Homestead Gardening Support
- WASH, Hygiene and DRR/Climate Awareness
- Coordination, Review and Stakeholder Meetings
- Sponsorship Communication and Child Data Update
- National and International Day Observation
Project Documents & Reports
| Sl. | Description/Particulars/ Name of Documents | Upload Date | Download |
| 01 | Project Proposal | CLICK | |
| 02 | FD -06 Clearance Letter with FD 06 | CLICK | |
| 03 | Yearly Report 2025-26 | CLICK | |
| 04 | Yearly Audit 2025-26 | CLICK | |
| 05 | UNO Certificate (Yearly) | CLICK | |
| 06 | |||
Other Documents & Reports
| Sl. | Description/Particulars/ Name of Documents | Upload Date | Download |
| 01 | Project Proposal | CLICK | |
| 02 | FD -06 Clearance Letter with FD 06 | CLICK | |
| 03 | Yearly Reports 2025-26 | CLICK | |
| 04 | Yearly Audit 2025-26 | CLICK | |
| 05 | UNO Certificate (Yearly) | CLICK | |
| 06 | |||
