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Governance and Advocacy
Focus Area

Governance and Advocacy

Advancing policies, strengthening access to public services and governance, and supporting people to know, claim, and exercise their rights.

15,000+
Youth Trained
64
Districts Engaged
150+
Advocacy Campaigns
Education and Digital Learning Youth and Skill Development Women Empowerment Climate Change Governance and Advocacy
Our Strategy

A focused approach to lasting change.

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1. Civic Education: From Awareness to Action

Democracy is a learned behavior. Through our nationwide Civic Education Modules, we are demystifying the machinery of the state for the next generation. We equip young minds with a deep understanding of their constitutional rights, the electoral process, and the responsibilities of citizenship. Our workshops don't just happen in classrooms; they happen in communities, turning complex legal frameworks into actionable local knowledge. We are raising a generation that understands that their vote is their voice, and their voice matters.

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2. Youth-Led Accountability & Policy Dialogue

We believe that policy should be shaped by those it impacts. We create direct, high-level channels for Intergenerational Dialogue, connecting youth representatives with MPs, local government officials, and policymakers. Through town halls, roundtables, and digital forums, our youth volunteers audit local services, present community grievances, and co-create solutions with the government. This is "governance from the ground up," ensuring that development plans reflect the real needs of the populace.

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3. Human Rights: The Moral Compass

A just society is built on the protection of the vulnerable. Our Human Rights Education Clubs act as community watchdogs, training youth to identify, report, and prevent human rights violations. From combating bullying in schools to advocating for the rights of marginalised minorities, these youth leaders are the moral compass of their communities. They are not just defenders of rights; they are active agents of peace, working to dismantle intolerance and discrimination before it takes root.

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4. Election Engagement: Strengthening the Franchise

Free and fair elections rely on informed participation. Our non-partisan Voter Awareness Campaigns are designed to combat voter apathy, particularly among first-time voters. By mobilizing thousands of volunteers across all 64 districts, we ensure that young citizens are registered, informed, and ready to cast their ballots. We focus on the power of the vote to shape the future, turning election day from a holiday into a day of civic duty.

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5. Digital Democracy & Safe Spaces

In the digital age, governance also happens online. We are pioneering efforts to create Safe Digital Democratic Spaces, where youth can debate, dissent, and organize without fear of harassment or misinformation. We promote digital literacy as a key component of modern citizenship, teaching youth how to navigate fake news, engage in constructive political discourse, and use social media as a tool for positive social change.

Partner With Us to Create Change

For Individuals

Champion civic education, democratic participation, and youth-led policy dialogue.

For Corporate & Institutional Partners

Collaborate on policy advocacy, institutional capacity building, and democratic inclusion.

On The Ground

Active Projects

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Featured Her Vote, Her Seat
active

Her Vote, Her Seat

Project Overview In the wake of Bangladesh's historic youth-led socio-political transition of 2024, a wave of democratic optimism swept the nation, with over 76% of the youth expressing a fierce desire to shape the future through their votes. Yet, beneath this optimism lies an urgent structural crisis: a widening gender gap in public governance and political leadership. While women constitute nearly half of the national electorate (49.25%), their substantive representation remains severely marginalized. Women make up a mere 4.09% of parliamentary candidates, and hold just 2.33% of directly elected seats. Furthermore, the removal of the historic 10% gender quota safety net in July 2024, paired with systemic masculine political cultures and targeted online and offline gender-based violence (GBV), has led to a worrying 14% complete civic retraction of existing female leaders. To shift this reality, "Her Vote, Her Seat" emerges as a transformative initiative. Supported by the Democratic Reforms through Inclusive Participation in Bangladesh (DRIP) project and BALLOT, and jointly implemented by JAAGO Foundation Trust and WADA, this project is a strategic movement. It operates across 8 highly diverse, vulnerable districts (Jamalpur, Patuakhali, Khulna, Bogura, Kurigram, Satkhira, Mymensingh, and Cox's Bazar) where zero directly elected women MPs emerged in the last parliament. We work to break down the social, institutional, and cultural walls that dictate where a woman belongs, turning traditional male gatekeepers into active enablers of change. Project Objective The overarching objective of "Her Vote, Her Seat" is to leverage Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), community-led action, and strategic public relations to foster an inclusive democratic ecosystem in Bangladesh. Specifically, the project aims to: Dismantle Domestic Gatekeeping: Shift the Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Norms (KAPN) of male family decision-makers (fathers, husbands, brothers) from restricting women's public visibility to actively supporting their political aspirations. Transform Community Perceptions: Sensitize local influencers, youth networks, and faith leaders to publicly champion inclusive governance and celebrate female political actors as essential role models. Drive Institutional Reform: Advocate within political parties, media houses, and local governance bodies to implement structured mentorship pipelines, equitable campaign financing, and strict internal anti-harassment mechanisms. Empower Grassroots Aspirants: Cultivate the leadership capacities, digital resilience, and civic literacy of potential grassroots female leaders, enabling them to move decisively from the household to the decision-making table. Core Activity & Expected Impact Using the multi-layered Socio-Ecological Model (SEM), the project simultaneously drives grassroots mobilization and national policy advocacy through interconnected activities: 1. Feminist Storytelling & Localized Media The Activity: Production and distribution of relatable, high-impact narrative tools—such as the journey of Mitu, a young woman who navigates and overcomes family restrictions to become a local leader with her family's backing. These tools are adapted into interactive community flipbooks, courtyard theaters, and widespread digital social media content. Expected Impact: Normalization of female leadership within traditional households and the inspiration of thousands of potential female candidates across rural Bangladesh to claim their space in civic life. 2. Community Engagement & Male Allyship Forums The Activity: Hosting localized dialogue forums and civic awareness workshops directly engaging husbands, fathers, male youth voters, and influential faith leaders across the 45 targeted parliamentary constituencies. Expected Impact: The shifting of deep-seated conservative social norms. Traditional gatekeepers transition into active allies who ensure women can attend civic consultations, join political platforms, and vote completely independently without fear of social backlash. 3. Institutional Advocacy & Safety Frameworks The Activity: Conducting multi-stakeholder national roundtables, capacity-building workshops, and media advocacy with political party committees, local government institutions, and media executives. Expected Impact: Adoption of gender-responsive internal codes of conduct, institutional safe-participation spaces, and a reduction in character assassination and gender-based violence (GBV) against women in political spheres. A true democracy cannot function on partial representation; it requires every voice to be heard and every vote to carry the weight of potential leadership. "Her Vote, Her Seat" is not just about placing a ballot in a box—it is about securing a permanent, rightful seat at the decision-making table for the women of Bangladesh. By restructuring social expectations from the kitchen to the parliament, this project ensures that supporting a woman's right to lead is recognized as responsible, progressive, and absolutely vital for national stability. When we secure her vote and ensure her seat, we strengthen the democratic fabric of the entire nation.

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Active Ekannor JAAGORON (Rise of 51)

Ekannor JAAGORON (Rise of 51)

Objectives To enhance youth leadership and civic engagement, and equip marginalised youth, women, and PwDs with the knowledge and skills to actively participate in democratic processes, fostering accountability and good governance across Bangladesh. Project Summary The AHEAD Bangladesh Project, funded by the European Union through the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), is a nationwide initiative designed to empower youth and women by enhancing civic education, leadership skills, and active participation in the electoral process nationwide. The project aims to address the low levels of voter participation among women and youth—particularly in rural areas—and to equip them with the knowledge and confidence needed to actively participate in elections. At the heart of this project is the belief that every vote counts and that empowering women to exercise their right to vote is essential for building an inclusive, accountable, and participatory democracy in Bangladesh. The project will train 24 youth leaders as master trainers in a national training program, 4 for each division, to serve as trainers and mentors, spreading knowledge and guiding their peers through the voter education process. The master trainers will then conduct divisional trainings, where 2 youth from each of the 300 constituencies of Bangladesh will participate. These 600 youth participants, selected from across Bangladesh, will take part in training sessions and conduct community outreach programs, where they will engage directly with local communities. They will be trained to facilitate civic education sessions in their constituencies, specifically targeting first-time voters and women, who have historically been underrepresented in the electoral process. As part of this training, youth will also lead 300 community action projects, which will be designed to directly engage local citizens in conversations about the importance of voter participation and choosing candidates that represent their interests. One of the central components of this initiative is “Ekannor JAAGORON”, a digital awareness campaign which is focused on women’s empowerment, aiming to raise awareness about women’s voting rights and the critical role women can play in the electoral process. Although women represent 51% of the population, their rights and demands are often overlooked in national policies. Through social media platforms, online tools, and community-driven digital campaigns, the project seeks to create a unified awareness among women about the importance of their vote and how they can impact the future of the country by selecting the right candidates. These campaigns are designed to highlight how choosing leaders who prioritise women’s rights, gender equality, and inclusive policies can improve healthcare, education, workplace safety, and legal protections for women across Bangladesh. By educating women on these issues, the campaign will inspire active participation in the electoral process, making women more aware of the power they hold in shaping the policies that affect their lives. The overarching goal of the AHEAD Bangladesh Project is to bridge the gap in civic knowledge among young women and youth across Bangladesh. By fostering democratic values, increasing electoral awareness, and ensuring that women know their rights and their power within the electoral system, the project will ensure that women’s voices are heard and represented in the political process. Furthermore, this project will help build an environment where youth and women not only vote, but also influence the creation of policies and laws that affect their lives and communities. The project will focus on community outreach, ensuring that electoral engagement goes beyond traditional voter education and instead promotes a holistic approach to civic participation. The digital campaign, alongside community-based training programs, will work together to create a movement for empowered women voters, ensuring their active role in selecting leaders who will push for gender-sensitive policies. Ultimately, the project will build a stronger, more inclusive democracy in Bangladesh, where youth and women are not only voters but active contributors to the nation’s future.

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Active My Voice My Choice

My Voice My Choice

Objective Civic Engagement & Youth Leadership: Conduct educational workshops across Bangladesh to equip youth with skills in civic responsibility, social accountability, and leadership. Enhance Awareness & Knowledge: Improve youth understanding of civic duties, rights, and leadership to foster responsible and informed participation in their communities. Support Youth-Led Community Initiatives: Encourage and provide resources for youth to initiate projects that enhance civic education and local development. Project Summary Bangladesh has a significant youth population, yet many young people feel disconnected from civic responsibilities and community leadership due to a lack of awareness. The JAAGO Foundation aims to address this through a youth-driven initiative focused on civic education, leadership, and responsible participation in community development. This initiative builds on JAAGO’s long-standing efforts in educating youth on social responsibility, leadership, and governance awareness across all 64 districts of Bangladesh. By equipping young individuals with the knowledge and skills to engage meaningfully in their communities, the project fosters an informed and active generation committed to social progress. Through training workshops, community-led action projects, and social awareness campaigns, the initiative empowers youth to take leadership roles in their localities. Participants receive civic education training, focusing on governance, accountability, and leadership, enabling them to design and implement community engagement projects. To amplify the impact, trained youth leaders initiate localized awareness activities in their respective communities, sparking discussions on civic responsibility and engagement. Additionally, an online content strategy helps disseminate youth perspectives and educational materials, broadening the outreach beyond physical workshops. Beyond these activities, selected youth leaders receive advanced training in leadership and civic education, equipping them with the tools to mentor others and create long-term impact in their regions. With a strong emphasis on education, leadership, and responsible citizenship, the initiative encourages youth to actively contribute to their communities and the broader development of Bangladesh.

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Voices

Stories from the field

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Updates The Most Meaningful Mother’s Day Gift Isn’t a Gift—It’s a Life Changed

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Mother's Day is often filled with flowers, cakes, and heartfelt messages. We celebrate the women who shaped us, stood by us, and loved us in ways words ofte...

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Updates JAAGO Foundation and brritto Join Hands for Academic Excellence Beyond Limitations

JAAGO Foundation and brritto Join Hands for Academic Excellence Beyond Limitations

In the bustling classrooms of JAAGO Foundation's 11 schools across Bangladesh, where 5,000 underprivileged children chase dreams against all odds, every page...

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Updates 19 Years of JAAGO: Turning Hope Into Reality

19 Years of JAAGO: Turning Hope Into Reality

For 19 years, JAAGO Foundation has been working to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education. What began as a...

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