The Socio-Economic Empowerment with Dignity and Sustainability (SEEDS) Programme, spearheaded by the Strømme Foundation, seeks to uplift 17,000 impoverished and extremely impoverished households in six disaster-prone districts of Bangladesh. Employing a multidimensional approach, the programme addresses critical deprivations in education, health, housing, and livelihoods. Baseline data reveal severe poverty, with 66% of households facing multidimensional disadvantages, elevated child mortality rates, substandard housing, and limited access to sanitation and electricity.
The SEEDS Programme concentrates on enhancing education, healthcare, WASH (water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services, and climate-resilient housing. It promotes economic security through vocational training, climate-smart agricultural practices, and the financial inclusion of women. Young individuals are trained in income-generating activities; however, access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) remains constrained due to infrastructural and gender-related barriers. Food insecurity is prevalent, marked by poor dietary diversity and hunger, particularly in districts such as Sherpur.
Gender inequality is pronounced, with women lacking decision-making power and facing widespread gender-based violence. SEEDS targets these issues through legal, economic, and social empowerment interventions. Furthermore, the programme enhances resilience against natural disasters by focusing on early warning systems, disaster-prepared infrastructure, and community-led preparedness efforts.
In summary, SEEDS integrates rights-based and sustainability-driven strategies to disrupt the cycle of poverty, empower marginalized communities, and foster inclusive, climate-resilient development within Bangladesh.
