Uddokta - Empowering Entrepreneurs (Full Length)

Uddokta – empowering entrepreneurs – is a three-year (2020-2022) project funded by Chevron and the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and implemented by iDE. Under Chevron’s Bangladesh Partnership Initiative (BPI) and the Embassy of Switzerland’s COVID-19 Relief Support, Uddokta seeks to improve the income, livelihood, and environment of the rural communities living in the Sylhet Division through enterprise development, green growth, and strengthening market systems. The project also aims to promote an inclusive and non-discriminatory society and increase youth employment opportunities. Building on iDE’s learning and experiences on the market and climate resiliency, Uddokta will emphasize the uptake of profitable as well as climate-smart business models and production practices. Uddokta is being implemented in 4 districts in the Sylhet Division– Sylhet, Moulavibazar, Habiganj, and Sunamganj.

The project has two donor-specific goals. Activities under the Chevron-supported Uddokta will focus on increasing the income of 1,100 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 110 local cooperatives by 35% in Chevron catchment areas as well as Chevron’s positive impact on the community. The Switzerland-supported Uddokta will ensure 1,500 out-of-job youths who have been affected by COVID-19 (at least 30% are women) have full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in high-growth sectors including the climate-smart sector and increase their household income by 50%.