South Asia Partnership-Bangladesh (SAP-Bangladesh) is a national-level NGO devoted to promote the socio-economic condition of the poorer section of the community in Bangladesh since its inception in 1984.
Initially, South Asia Partnership (SAP) emerged as South Asia Partnership International (SAP-I) based in Canada and South Asia Partnership Bangladesh was one of the country offices of South Asia Partnership International. Later South Asia Partnership-Bangladesh has been independent as a national NGO in Bangladesh and registered under section 21 of the Society Registration Act, 1860; NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh; and Micro Credit Regulatory Authority of Bangladesh.
Founding members of the organization were Dr. Mahmuda Islam, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Advocate Sigma Huda, Mr. Md. Ataur Rahman, Dr. Kazi Faruque Ahmed, Mr. Md. Rahat Uddin Ahmed, Mr. Muhammed Kamal Uddin and Mr. Abdul Latif Dewan.
SAP-Bangladesh is one of the key actors in the NGO development efforts in Bangladesh, working to build the capacity of small and mid-level NGOs and promote rural development in Bangladesh by implementing pro-poor projects. It began its operation in Bangladesh in 1984 as a funding agency for local NGOs who were not capable of attracting funding from donors on their own competence. Realizing the fact over the years, SAP-Bangladesh expanded its support to include capacity building in the form of training and other technical supports in order to help these NGOs to meet the needs of the people and operate development programs more efficiently. In the last 39 years, SAP-Bangladesh provided technical and financial support to more than 350 NGOs that have field operation programs in 37 districts in Bangladesh.
SAP-Bangladesh implemented different development programs since its inception covering 37 districts such as Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Bogra, Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Natore, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Pabna, Rajbari, Jhenaidah, Jessore, Narail, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Barisal, Khulna, Bagerhat, Perojpur, Satkhira, Patuakhali, Barguna, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Comilla, Noakhali, Rangamati, Chittagong, and Coxsbazar covering all the divisions in Bangladesh.
SAP-Bangladesh implements its program interventions ensuring social security by addressing the issues of antiterrorism, women empowerment, violence against women and children, disaster-prone communities, and inclusion of all people including marginalized communities, persons with disability and ethnic minorities.
Currently, SAP-Bangladesh is implementing a total of 9 projects/programs covering 7 districts such as Bagerhat, Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola, Dhaka, Manikganj, and Sirajganj through 43 offices including the head office and training center in Dhaka, 8 Area Offices, 26 Branch Offices and 8 Project Offices in Bangladesh
It has increased its role in promoting discussions & mass awareness of the community and civil society organizations on important issues of development through opinion polls, publications of bulletins, citizen dialogues, lobbying, and advocacy in Bangladesh.
While SAP-Bangladesh has been working in partnership with local NGOs aimed at promoting the socio-economic, socio-political conditions and position of the poor, it has been directly implementing diversified projects at the community level aimed at promoting the socio-economic, socio-political conditions and position of the poorer section of the community. The experiences gained from the directly implemented projects are widely used in partnership projects and the experience gained from the partnership projects are also widely used in the directly implemented projects. The organization has also implemented disaster preparedness, response, early recovery, rehabilitation, and Disaster risk reduction (DRR) Projects in each and every disaster in Bangladesh since its inception.
Vision of SAP-Bangladesh
SAP-Bangladesh envisions a sustainable, empowered, and pluralistic Bangladesh where human rights are protected, the poor live in dignity, peace and hope, and everyone has access to health care, education, and all necessary public services.
Mission Statement
SAP-Bangladesh believes in sustainable livelihood development of the poor, which can be achieved through long-term and holistic approaches to program implementation. The process of poverty reduction can be enhanced through strengthening the capacity of local government and civil society organizations. SAP-Bangladesh strategically designs integrated programs to address the specific needs of the poor focusing remote, costal, and other disadvantaged areas in Bangladesh by taking into account the capabilities of the community people and associated stakeholders. SAP-Bangladesh makes ‘right based’ as well as ‘ service-oriented’ approaches to development that enhance the sense of ownership and responsibility among the program participants and lead to program sustainability. Organizational changes through creative initiatives, innovations, and reviews of the programs are a continuous process based on past learning and upcoming opportunities.
