About AVAS

Locally Rooted, Community Driven

Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS) is a non-profit, non-political and community-based organization established in 1998 and headquartered in Barishal, Bangladesh.

AVAS works alongside marginalized, climate-vulnerable and socially excluded people to strengthen livelihoods, advance gender equality, protect rights and uphold human dignity through participatory and collaborative approaches.

Our Vision

An environment-friendly, gender-sensitive, fair and self-reliant plural society.

Our Mission

To work with marginalized, disadvantaged, climate-vulnerable and socially excluded communities to advance livelihood rights, gender equality and human dignity through participation, partnership and shared responsibility.

Who We Work With

AVAS works with communities whose voices and rights are often overlooked, including:

  • Women and children
  • Young people
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Climate-vulnerable communities
  • People living in hard-to-reach areas
  • Indigenous and minority communities
  • Migrants and urban floating populations
  • Older persons
  • Gender-diverse and socially excluded people

Our Approach

Community Participation

Communities help identify priorities, shape solutions and participate throughout programme planning, implementation and review.

Rights and Inclusion

We promote dignity, equality, meaningful participation and access to rights—especially for people facing exclusion or discrimination.

Local Leadership

We strengthen community institutions, volunteers and local networks so that change is locally owned and sustainable.

Partnership and Accountability

We collaborate with government institutions, civil society, development partners and humanitarian actors while remaining accountable to the communities we serve.

Resilience and Sustainability

We connect immediate needs with long-term resilience, environmental responsibility and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Our Journey

Since 1998, AVAS has grown from a locally rooted voluntary initiative into an experienced development and humanitarian organization serving communities across coastal Bangladesh.

The organization expanded its humanitarian response following Cyclone SIDR, supporting affected communities through emergency relief, livelihood recovery, housing rehabilitation and disaster-risk reduction.

Today, AVAS combines development programming, humanitarian response and anticipatory action. A trained Disaster Taskforce Team and a network of more than 500 volunteers help AVAS respond rapidly while strengthening community preparedness and resilience.

Our Commitment

AVAS is committed to:

  • Human dignity and social justice
  • Gender equality and women’s empowerment
  • Inclusion and non-discrimination
  • Community participation and local ownership
  • Transparency and accountability
  • Environmental responsibility
  • Safeguarding and responsible humanitarian action
  • Partnership, learning and continuous improvement

Working Together for Lasting Change

We believe sustainable development is achieved when communities lead, institutions remain accountable and partnerships are built on dignity and mutual respect.

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