ORGANIZATION PROFILE August 2012 Dedicated to poverty free just society
BACKGROUND WAVE Foundation is established in 1990 in Darsana town under Chuadanga district, situated in the south-western part of Bangladesh. In the aim of alleviating poverty, it focused on integrated development of the organized participants including their human, skill and economic development. The organization thereafter involved in governance programme to strengthen local government institutions and to increase access of the poor in public services through implementing local governance strengthening activities. Centring the programme the organization has been contributing significantly in promoting democratic decentralization and local self-government. Alongside, through its microfinance programme and related activities WAVE Foundation has been playing an important role for the economic development of the poor and in the field of agriculture. According to the organization s policy, special emphasis is given on women s participation and in building poor people s capacity towards disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. Networking at various levels and policy advocacy are the important areas of WAVE s programme implementation approach. Accordingly, campaign, lobbying and policy advocacy activities have been undertaking jointly with the social organization formed at local level and with the national level platforms. With deepening its experience and considering the development context, organization has adopted necessary changes in its programmes and working approaches. WAVE s main thrust is securing rights of the poor and marginalized, good governance and sustainable livelihood development through promoting people s participation at all levels of the state and society, accountability, capacity development and access to resources. WAVE, at present, implements 4 programmes in achieving its goal. VISION A conducive condition of good governance and sustainable livelihood towards a poverty free just society. MISSION WAVE Foundation aims to uphold human dignity, equity and accountability through people s active participation, capacity enhancement and access to resources. GOAL People s empowerment by promoting rights of the poor & marginalized, food security, responsiveness of public services, democratic decentralization & local self government, local governance & local justice, free & fair election, participatory democracy, women-youth-child rights, climate justice, agriculture & livestock development, economic development and employment generation. WAVE PROGRAMMES WAVE has been implementing different projects and activities under the following programmes: A. Responsive Governance B. Livelihood and Essential Services C. Microfinance D. Women s Empowerment A. RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE Over the last forty years of independence, Bangladesh s progress has been remarkable and as a nation our achievements are many. At the same time, the challenges that we face are numerous and increasingly complex. The state has limited capacity and lack of proper policy in delivering public 2
services like food security for extreme poor, health and education services for all etc. at the door steps of grassroots people. Moreover, we have lack of good governance in the implementation of existing policies and programmes enacted for establishing rights of women, child and youth. Besides, centralization of power to gradually weaken the local government system, absence of participatory democracy practices and rule of law, bureaucracy centric development process including bribe, corruption and above all lack of good governance are the major constraints in country s development. In this context, organization implements activities on democratic decentralization and local self government, responsiveness of public services (health services including maternal and neonatal health, education and agriculture), social safety net and right to food, district budget, local governance, local justice (village court, arbitration council and Alternative Dispute Resolution-ADR), free & fair election, participatory democracy, climate justice and youth & child rights under its Responsive Governance Programme. Policy advocacy undertaken on different relevant issues plays significant role with field level programme implementation. In light with programme implementation approach, WAVE has facilitated the formation of locally organized social organization Loak Morcha-LM (People s Alliance) consists of representatives from different professions and occupations; Governance Coalition-GC, network of civil society organizations and civil society representatives and Governance Advocacy Forum national level platform of civil society organizations and relevant stakeholders. These networks undertake continual campaign, lobbying and policy advocacy activities both at local and national level. To ensure proper implementation of Responsive Governance Programme, social audit and right to information are used as significant tools. Objectives To promote basic rights for poor and marginalized, democratic decentralization & local self government, local governance & local justice, free & fair election, climate justice and youth & child rights. To enhance responsiveness of governance through campaign, lobbying and policy advocacy at local and national level. At present, a total of 8 projects are implemented under this programme: 1. Campaign for Democratic Decentralization Policy of Bangladesh The campaign aims to mobilize opinion of mass people and concerned stakeholders in support of a national decentralization policy and influence the state to endorse the policy. WAVE organized Democratic Decentralization National Convention in 2010 demanding the execution of democratic decentralization in light of our constitution and proposed a draft Democratic Decentralization Policy. As continual effort, WAVE carries out multifaceted activities through its network to review and finalize the proposed Decentralization Policy. Under the campaign, organization coordinates network and alliance, involve LG representatives, policy makers, political leaders, civil society members, media personnel, youth and other stakeholders and conduct continuous lobbying with concerned Parliamentary Standing Committee and policy makers. At present, the campaign is implemented with the support from Manusher Jonno Foundation-MJF. 2. Civic Awareness and Elections Observation The project aims to promote free and fair elections in Bangladesh through election monitoring, voter and civic awareness and election observation. WAVE takes part in civic awareness and election observation programmes concerning National and Local level elections held at different parts of the country including Dhaka city. It also aims to reduce the risk of election and postelection violence. Besides, policy advocacy with Election Commission (EC) and other concerned stakeholders in the aim of strengthening electoral process in Bangladesh is one of the significant 3
activities of this project. As a member of Election Working Group (EWG), WAVE implements this project in cooperation with The Asia Foundation-TAF. 3. Ensuring Rights of Maternal & Neonatal Health Service Users and Accountability for MNH Services The project aims to improve maternal and neonatal health practices and utilization of quality maternal and neonatal health care and services. Particularly it includes the poor and excluded through creating an enabling environment where the rights and voices of the beneficiaries are protected and heard. The project is being implemented in Narail, Jamalpur and Moulvibazar district with the support from UNICEF. 4. Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh The project aims to strengthen local justice system through enhancing capacity of village courts which improves access to justice for disadvantaged and marginalized groups and enhances their human rights process and practices in the rural areas. The project activities focus on Promote and protect human rights security through devising a human rights-based approach in programming and delivery system; Empower citizens to resolve their disputes at the local level in an expeditious, transparent and affordable manner & Strengthen local government institutions to the responsive to local needs and other approaches legal service through well functioning Village Courts. The Local Government Division (LGD), Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has initiated the `Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Projects with the partnership of UNDP and European Union (EU). This Project is implemented by WAVE foundation in 59 Unions at 9 Upazilla in 3 districts named Narail, Chuadanga and Magura under the Khulna division 5. Youth Campaign The campaign activities address different emerging issues relating to youth rights to employment and their development, responsive public services, participatory democracy and democratic decentralization. The platform, Youth for 3D consists of youth representatives, conducts campaign in Dhaka city and three districts of Bangladesh. 6. Strengthening Democratic Local Governance The project aims to fulfilling the objectives to promote services through Local Government Units (LGUs) and Service Delivery Institutions (SDIs) and citizen participation in local decision-making process. The focus areas of the LGUs under the project activities are Financial Management & Revenue Generation, Service Delivery & Monitoring and Participatory Strategic Planning (PSP). The initiative opens a new dimension of work and creates opportunity in augmenting the process to strengthening democratic local governance through responsive services of LGUs and SDIs. The project area covers Chuadanga, Meherpur, Kushtia and Naogaon districts. USAID through Tetra Tech ARD supports the project. 7. Promoting Responsiveness of Public Service Institutions in Selected Districts The project intends to improve agriculture services in selected constituencies, both in terms of agricultural inputs delivery and extension services and in using this experience to advocate for improvements in relevant laws and policies as needed. The project encourages and supports Members of Parliament (MPs) of the three parliamentary constituencies of Jhenaidah, Magura and Rajshahi on their legislative representation and oversight functions on promoting responsive 4
agricultural services in their respective contituencies. USAID through The Asia Foundation supports the project. 8. Strengthening Pro-poor & Participatory Local Governance The project facilitates participation and collaboration of Non State Actors-NSAs and the Local Authorities-LA in addressing effective planning, implementation and responsive delivery of public services, mainly health & education services and social safety net programmes (VGD, VGF and employment generation programme for the poorest-egpp) at the Union and subsequently at Upazilla levels. It aims to build and strengthen the capacity of LA and the community people especially the poor and marginalized through formation and consolidation of CBOs at ward levels facilitated by NSA platforms. The project also enables the Local Authorities to be responsive and accountable to the needs of the most marginalized and poorest segments of the society mainly on the agenda of public services, public resources and participation in overall policy process. It is implemented in Barisal district and supported by Christian Aid. B. LIVELIHOOD AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES Despite government statistics shows that there is economic growth in every year in Bangladesh, more than 31.5% (HIES Survey Report, 2010) of total populations are still living below poverty line; about half of them are extreme poor who cannot eat regularly. Moreover, extreme poor living in the coastal, haor, drought and char areas are mostly affected by various climate change effects, natural disasters and river erosion. Government development programmes and other services provided during disaster to the poor and marginalized living in different corners of country including these areas, are not adequate compared to their needs. One of the major problems is lack of proper implementation of existing programmes including social safety net. Considering this backdrop, organization has been implementing different activities on food security, income generation, human and skill development, safe drinking water & sanitation, health, education etc. for the poor and marginalized under its Livelihood and Essential Services Programme. In a part of organization s working area, natural calamities and climate change effect prevail almost all the year round. Organization provides direct support through resources (cow, goat, rickshaw, van etc.), training and environment sensitive agricultural inputs for the income generation of programme participants living in these areas. Moreover, capacity enhancemnet on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience are one of the major activities. Along with, relief and rehabilitation initiatives are undertaken during disaster. Objectives To promote food security, income generation, access to essential services and resources for the poor and marginalized. To develop capacity on disaster risk reduction and climate resilient livelihood. Under this programme, at present 5 projects are in operation: 1. Increasing Community Capacity for Holistic Development The overall goal of the project is to promote just and sustainable development. The activities are targeted to increase annual income and nutrition of participating families, sensitize community on gender equity, environment conservation and strengthen community cohesiveness for reciprocal cooperation. The project is implemented in Rajshahi district and supported by Heifer International. 2. Coastal Livelihoods Adaptation Project The overall goal of the project is the livelihoods and means of production of the vulnerable population in selected communities have been rehabilitated with disaster-preventive measures and the climate-induced vulnerability of the population has been sustainably reduced. Objectives of the 5
project are climate-resilient agricultural production systems and income-generating measures facilitated and promoted among targeted population, livelihoods and means of production prioritized and restored through non-farm initiatives, targeted population well protected and managed to response climatic induced disasters & disaster prevention and disaster risk management introduced in targeted schools with clear focus on Climate Change Adaptation. The project is implemented in Patuakhali district with the support from GIZ. 3. Development Package Services for Vulnerable Group Development Programme The basic principle of the programme is support for the self-depended/self reliance. It intends to make positive change in livelihood of ultra poor women with attention to protect further deterioration of living condition; increased food consumption, income generation activities and promote healthy behaviour & women empowerment. Life skills trainings & the training on income generation activities including entrepreneurship development are provided to the rarticipants so that they can develop their way of living. In collaboration with GoB, WAVE implements the activities in Chuadanga district. 4. Resilience through Economic Empowerment, Climate Adaptation, Leadership and Learning The purpose of the project is, a total of 4000 economically extreme poor households graduated from the shocks and challenges of extreme poverty by 2014. The project has been implemented to restore and develop the livelihood and climate resilient community. The activities are targeted to facilitate the formation and functioning of 400 CBO, involvement of targeted households with IGA, alternative livelihood and increased income and capacity enhancement of the communities in terms of disaster preparedness, response and adaptability with the impact of climate change. It also intends to capture the local experience from the project and inform national policy dialogue and simultaneously the extreme poor are able to access services from the government and service providers. The project is implemented in most affected unions of Patuakhali Sadar upazilla under Patuakhali district. DFID-SHIREE through Oxfam supports the project. 5. Sanitation, Hygiene Education and Water Supply in Bangladesh The objective of this project is to improve the standard of hygiene practices and behaviour particularly for the poor on a sustainable basis focused on mothers of children under 5 and primary school children. The project is implemented in Meherpur district with the support of DPHE & UNICEF. C. MICROFINANCE The most significant aspect in poverty alleviation is to ensure employment generation for all eligible women-men. But, employment opportunities in both formal (government, private and nongovernment) and informal sectors are not generating accordingly. Though agriculture sector plays a key role in the country s economic growth, as of now, this sector is considered as an informal sector, because it lacks permanent employment opportunity throughout the year. In the context, self-employment generated in different informal sectors including agriculture, small business & enterprise and local transport become as major support, where capital is the first requirement. In Bangladesh, supply of capital or loan by government-private banks and financial institutions is inadequate in case of informal sector. In this backdrop, microfinance without collateral, developed by the NGOs of Bangladesh in the aim of economic development through generating selfemployment, is a worldwide milestone programme. In view of that, WAVE implements Microfinance Programme to ensure self-employment through promoting socio-economic development of poor and lower-middle class people including small farmers living in both rural and urban settings. Under this programme, 4 major loan products and 7 sub loan products play important role in agricultural production, livestock development including Black Bengal goat, local 6
transport, small to large scale business with enterprises and economic development of different sectors in organization s working areas. Savings and micro insurance activities are in operation along with the loan support. Organization provides with skill development training for programme participants and technical assistance and medical services for their livestock development. In addition, WAVE implements integrated development activities including health and education services, social awareness raising and biogas project. Apart from this, WAVE has been working on cluster based production and value chain development. Through these interventions, number of small entrepreneurs are increased which uplifts self-employment into formal employment and eventually contribute in national economy. Objectives To promote affordable and easy access to financial and technical services for the economic development of the poor emphasizing women and extreme poor. To uplift self-employment into employment and develop micro-entrepreneurship. At present, two long term activities and one project are implemented under this programme: 1. Micro Credit with Savings & Micro Insurance WAVE has been implementing microcredit in both rural and urban areas through its 75 branch offices with the financial support from PKSF. The products of microcredit are: Major Products a) General Microcredit b) Micro Entrepreneurship c) Microcredit for Ultra Poor d) Agriculture Credit Sub Products Supplementary Loan Product: Seasonal loan Disaster Management loan Specialized Loan Product: Black Bengal Goat Rearing loan Spices Cultivation Loan Consumer Loan Product: Bandhu Chula Loan Solar Energy loan Biogas Plant loan 2. Enhancing Resources and Increasing Capacities of Poor Households towards Elimination of their Poverty The project aims to empower the households participating in the programme to work effectively to reduce their poverty on a sustained basis and enable them in the process to secure improved health and nutritional status. The project is run in a community based integrated development approach to fulfil the basic needs and constitutional rights. WAVE implements the project in Chuadanga district with its own fund and support from PKSF. 7
3. National Domestic Biogas and Manure Programme The Overall objective of the project is to develop and disseminate domestic biogas in rural areas with the ultimate goal to establish a sustainable and commercial biogas sector in Bangladesh. It aims to reduction of workload of women, improvement in health and sanitation condition, increase agriculture production with proper utilization of slurry, employment generation, saving of conventional fuel sources such as firewood, agriculture residues and dries dung cake and reduction in green house gas emission. IDCOL supports the project implementation in Chuadanga district. D. WOMEN S EMPOWERMENT During last few decades, Bangladesh has made substantial progress in expediting women education, women participation in labor market, reducing maternal & infant mortality rate and other relevant sectors. Our constitution ensures equal rights for women-men. As a signatory to the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), Bangladesh has been committed in attaining the objectives of ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women. Moreover, National Women Advancement Policy 2011 declares to undertake remarkable measures in women empowerment. But the challenges that still exist with regard to women empowerment are the major constraints in our national development. Our society is mainly dominated by patriarchal values. Women violence, early marriage, domestic violence, dowry, sexual harassment etc. hamper the progress of women empowerment in Bangladesh. Equal rights of women in property and political participation are still frail in our country. Status of women is inferior to men in everywhere including family, society and state. In this context, according to WAVE s policy, women constitute the main participants in all project and activities under different programmes. Besides, providing special emphasis on women empowerment along with other issues, WAVE conducts campaign on establishing women rights and implements different activities on preventing violence against women and domestic violence. Jatiya Nari Nirjatan Protirodh Forum-JNNPF, an alliance of NGOs, implements different activities including raising awareness on related issues. Objectives To promote rights of women. To raise awareness and voices at local and national level for preventing violence against women and domestic violence. At present, 2 projects are implemented under this programme: 1. Breaking the Silence of Violence The project focuses on the elimination of disparity between men and women and takes programmes to advance the rights of women. It also organizes women and builds their capacities to stop violence against them and promotes women rights. With the support from ActionAid Bangladesh, the project is implemented in Chuadanga district. 2. Strengthening Movement to Advance Women s Rights and Gender Equality The objectives of the project are to ensure birth registration, discourage early marriage and increase awareness on women and child rights, gender equal environment and to improve the quality of services of the government institutions. The project in implemented in Chuadanga district with the support of Royal Netherland Embassy. 8
NETWORK AND ALLIANCE WAVE Foundation coordinates various networks and alliances to implement and organize different activities and to undertake policy advocacy initiatives. It uses micro level experiences for macro level policy reform advocacy. Organization has successfully involved different stakeholders and brought them together behind the different campaign and advocacy issues. WAVE leads and involves with the following networks and alliances: 1. Governance Coalition (GC) Governance Coalition-GC is a national network of civil society organizations and civil society representatives involved in promoting responsive governance and rights of poor and marginalized people through conducting campaign, lobbying and policy advocacy at local and national level. WAVE organized this network as a part of its programme implementation approach in 2004. WAVE s extensive experience of programme implementation in the field level with special emphasis on local governance and civil society empowerment since 1997 and from the logical sequence of programme learning by the regional level platform named South Western Advocacy Network (SWAN) formed in 2001 have facilitated the formation of GC. Gradually GC has been established as a civil society network including 45 members working in 15 districts of Bangladesh. While continuing to work on own priorities, the members of the Coalition move together to advance common vision and mission towards promoting responsive governance in Bangladesh. WAVE Foundation Dhaka Office hosts its Secretariat. 2. Loak Morcha-LM (People s Alliance) LM is locally organized non-partisan and non-communal social organization including people from different segments of the society specially poor and marginalized community leaders, representatives of different professions and class of society, representative of locally elected bodies, media representatives, NGO representatives and youth volunteers including self-motivated women and men. As part of programme implementation approach, GC has been facilitating Loak Morcha since 2004. Since its inception, LM as associate organization of GC has been conducting campaign and lobbying with LGIs and SDIs at Union-Upazilla-Zilla level in the aim of promoting responsive governance and rights of poor and marginalized people. At present, 151 LM are working in GC s area. 3. Governance Advocacy Forum (GAF) Governance Advocacy Forum (GAF) is a national level platform that aims to promote democratic decentralization and local self government through campaign and policy advocacy. GAF founded in 2007 undertaking policy advocacy for promoting strong local government. At present, the forum consists of 35 national and international NGOs, networks, local government platforms, institutions and civil society representatives working towards decentralization and local self government in Bangladesh. 4. Youth for 3D (Democracy, Decentralization & Youth Development) Youth for 3D is a platform consists of youth representatives in the aim of facilitating campaign on the issue of democracy, decentralization and youth development. In 2011, the platform emerged with the participation of youths from Dhaka City and other districts of Bangladesh. 5. Jatiya Nari Nirjatan Protorodh Forum-(JNNPF) WAVE collaborates with advocacy groups, civil society, women groups and NGOs to raise social awareness and form collective forces in the society to protect women from violence and torture. JNNPF established in 2006 to undertake national level initiatives to stop violence against women and children. The mission of this forum is to involve people from different walks of life in raising awareness to prevent violence against women and children. At present, it has 26 networks in 25 districts under 7 divisions. WAVE Dhaka Office hosts its Secretariat. 9
6. Election Working Group (EWG) EWG is a national level network consisting of 31 national and regional NGOs working towards promoting free and fair elections, good governance and the achievement of higher standards of democratic representation and accountability in Bangladesh. As a member organization of this network supported by The Asia Foundation, WAVE plays role in implementing deferent activities and also contributes in decision making process. ENTERPRISE WAVE s enterprises link rural producers with growing urban markets by providing necessary goods and services. WAVE enterprises are: 1. Ankur Seeds To provide support to the farmers on a sustainable basis, WAVE Foundation established Ankur Seeds as one of the wings of Ankur Agro Ltd. It has been marketing quality rice seed in Chuadanga and nearby districts and has earned fame as a quality seed marketer. It also provides credit support to the farmers for producing quality rice seed. 2. Rangan Rangan is a marketing arm of WAVE Foundation with the aim of providing a stable and gainful source of employment for underprivileged rural artisans. In order to encourage craftsmanship and empower the poor, WAVE offers skills development training and working capital loans. STRATEGIC DIRECTION Promoting rights and entitlements of poor and marginalized specially women Advancing democratic decentralization and local self government Livelihood development of poor specially in vulnerable areas Economic empowerment and employment generation Strengthening organizational management CROSSCUTTING ISSUE Gender mainstreaming Disaster risk reduction and climate resilience PROGRAMMATIC APPROACH Integration of rights-based and service delivery Networking and alliance building Policy advocacy Capacity building Women-Youth-Child participation Knowledge sharing Establish programme centric models CORE VALUE Accountability Integrity Participation Gender Responsiveness Team Building 10
PROGRAMME SUPPORT DIVISIONS, CENTER & UNITS Finance & Accounts Division Admin & HR Division Internal Audit Division Training Division Research, Monitoring & Evaluation Division Information & Communication Division Center for Development and Capacity- CDC Advocacy, Networking & Knowledge Sharing Unit Risk Management Unit Identity & Resources Unit Loak Theatre Unit DEVELOPEMENT PARTNERS ActionAid Bangladesh Christian Aid Department of Public Health & Engineering (GoB) Department of Women Affairs (GoB) GIZ Heifer International (USA) IDCOL Manusher Jonno Foundation - MJF Oxfam Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation-PKSF UNDP-European Union UNICEF USAID-Tetra Tech ARD USAID-The Asia Foundation AREA COVERAGE WAVE foundation has been implementing its projects and programmes in 73 Upazillas of 17 districts such as Chuadanga, Meherpur, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Magura, Narail, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Jamalpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Natore, Naogaon and Moulvibazar districts under 5 divisions namely Khulna, Barisal, Dhaka, Rajshahi and Sylhet. HUMAN RESOURCE A total of 1,177 employees are working in WAVE Foundation at various levels. 370 of them are female and 807 are male. OFFICE The head office of the organization is located in Darsana town of Chuadanga district. It has two offices in Dhaka. WAVE Foundation also has 4 regional offices, 12 area offices, 16 project offices, 75 branch offices and 01 training centre. Dhaka Office Address 3/11, Block- D, Lalmatia, Dhaka-1207 Phone: 8153320, 8113383 Fax: ext.-123 Email:info@wavefoundationbd.org Website: www.wavefoundationbd.org Head Office Address Darsana Bus Stand PO: Darsana, District: Chuadanga. Telephone: +88 07632 51159, +88 07632 51217 Email:infoho@wavefoundationbd.org 11