CAMPE with the support of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), organized a discussion titled “ODA Trends and Global & National Funding Scenario for NGOs: Challenges and Way Forward” on Saturday, 18 October 2025, at Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Bhaban, Dhaka.
The program started with the solidarity for the people of Palestine, as expressed by a group of children and adolescents holding the flags of Bangladesh and Palestine and chanting slogans. They delivered a set of demands for justice and international recognition of a free Palestinian state.
The event was chaired by Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE. In the keynote presentation, Dr. Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Director of CAMPE, highlighted NGOs’ vital contribution in education, health, women’s empowerment, and climate adaptation etc. He noted that foreign aid is projected to decline, warning that the reduction already threatened around 50,000 development workers. He called for diversification through CSR funds, social enterprises, diaspora remittances, and local fundraising, and finding out new funding opportunities in various international organizations and countries ensuring transparency, digitalization and capacity enhancement of NGOs.
Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Advisor, MoP of Interim Government and Chief Guest of the program recognized NGOs’ remarkable contributions to develop Bangladesh since independence, but cautioned that shrinking foreign aid demands a transformation of NGO operational models. He suggested harnessing community-based resources such as riverine Island, wetlands, and forests as commons for local livelihoods, while warning of potential tensions with local authorities if accountability and inclusion are not ensured. He also focused transparency, noting that “NGOs must strengthen governance to maintain public and donor trust.”
Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Chairperson of BRAC and former Adviser to the Caretaker Government in his remarks as Special Guest, viewed the crisis as an opportunity for innovation. He urged NGOs to move from a volume-based to a quality-driven approach, aligning their missions with evolving national development priorities.
Panel discussants included Ms. Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand & Marketing of Standard Chartered Bank and Professor Dr. Syed Shahadat Hossain of Dhaka University and Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem Research Director of CPD. They underscored the need for stronger collaboration among government, private, and non-profit actors; digital project management; results-based financing; and a strategic shift toward domestic resource mobilization.
More than 150 participants attended, representing key ministries and agencies, CAMPE member organizations, development partners, private sector, and media. The open discussion session concluded with three major takeaways from the guest and participants as follows:
• Simplify administrative procedures and financial regulations to allow NGOs to receive crowdfunding or donations from expatriate Bangladeshis who wish to contribute to education and welfare programs for marginalized groups.
• Formulate a “National NGO Sustainability Framework” to ensure continued financial support with transparency and accountability in the NGO sector from both local and international donors.
• Before finalizing the MRA’s proposed rules on appointing independent directors, engage in consultations with relevant stakeholders to address misunderstandings and ensure uninterrupted NGO field operations.
In the closing remarks, Rasheda K. Choudhury expressed her sincere gratitude to all participants, guests, supporting partners, and media for their constructive engagement. CAMPE remains committed to facilitating evidence-based policy dialogue and strengthening the role of voluntary organizations in achieving inclusive, equitable sustainable development in Bangladesh.