Project Name:  SDC-Shomoshti Project

Project Introduction:
SHOMOSHTI–Prosperity for the poor and disadvantages is a SDC mandated project implemented by CARE Bangladesh.  Shomoshti projects social and economic impact will benefit the wellbeing of rural households. Particularly the poor and disadvantaged by ensuring higher incomes, better nutrition and more education. Shomoshti will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 7th Five year plan of Government of Bangladesh (GoB) by addressing issues related poverty, food security, nutrition water and sanitation, inclusive economic growth, women empowerment, climate change and inclusive and responsive institutions.
Overall Goal:
Rural households, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, benefit from a better wellbeing due to higher incomes, better nutrition, improved health and more education. This improved wellbeing includes increased capacities to sustain and further improve the gains in income and social aspects.

Overall Objective:
180,000 rural household will use improved technical services, which will result in higher yields, better prices and increased income. This will be achieved through the organizational capacity building of producer groups and the facilitative support to private and public service  providers for developing pro-poor service in agriculture, agribusiness and home and cottage based activities which are relevant and affordable to the poor and disadvantaged. Two distinct pillars of services and systems will guide the interventions in achieving three outcomes respectively at community, market and enabling governance spheres in realizing the envisioned impact.

Specific Objectives:
180,000 Households by 2020, in which 70% Poor, 40% disadvantaged, 30% impact group will constitute the impact group.

Outputs:

1. Poor, disadvantaged and marginalized producers have the capacities to access business development services,
2. Poor, disadvantaged and marginalized producers gain the capacity to access social services and savings mechanisms.
3. Improved capacity of public and private service providers related to agriculture and cottage industries.
4. Enhanced capacity to both public and private service providers for offering pro-poor, inclusive and affordable social service options.
5. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) responsive services developed and promoted by public and private service producers.
6. Policy issues identified that hinder access to market, resources and social services by the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized households,
7. Enhanced awareness of Local Government Institutions (LGIs) about their roles for promoting inclusive market development and delivery of social services.
8. Women’s role to main streamed in the market system.

Outcome 1: 180,000 rural households (70% poor, 40% disadvantaged and 30% women) use improved technical and available social services.

Outcome 2: Private and public providers offer improved services to at least 100000 rural households engaged in agriculture and cottage industries which are affordable and relevant to the poor and disadvantaged.

Outcome 3: Issues of equitable access to resources and markets and social services raised by rural households and private service providers have been addressed by local government institutions and in government policies, rules and regulations.

Project Components:  i) Beef fattening ii) Vegetable iii) Crab fattening iv) Handicraft.

Major Activities: i) Agriculture ii) Marketing, iii) Social service (Health, education and nutrition)

Project Participants (Direct): 19,286 Producer (for inception period-1928)

Project Duration: 1 October 2016 to November 2019
Financial partner (Donor): CARE Bangladesh
Implementing partner (if any): Dhaka Ahsania Mission-DAM
Project Location/s and number of Field offices: Dhaka Ahsania Mission, House no 426, Road no 6, (2nd floor), Sonadanga R/A, 2nd Phase, Khulna.

Project Budget: BDT 6,54,460 (For inception period)
Number of project staffs and volunteers:

Contact Person: Md. Zahangir Alam, Project Coordinator
Email: zahangir.1968@gmail.com, Mobile: 01753- 878801