Source/Links
Addressing New Poverty Among Smallholder Farmers in Bangladesh
ChangeMaker Nexus Ltd. is conducting research on the emerging forms of poverty affecting smallholder farmers in southwest Bangladesh following the 2024 waterlogging crisis in Narail, Jessore, and Khulna. The project examines how climate shocks and institutional responses create gendered vulnerabilities and shape farmers’ coping and adaptation strategies. By surveying farming households in Khulna, the study will identify barriers to recovery, access to finance, and opportunities for gender-sensitive policies and sustainable financial solutions. This project is financed by a DEEP Challenge Fund grant, which is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and managed by Oxford Policy Management.
Sources/Links:
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/105277898/admin/page-posts/published/
- https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/education/news/local-innovators-recognised-blue-business-idea-competition-4097646#:~:text=The%20competition%20was%20organised%20by,Social%20Development%20Organization%20(ESDO
- https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/locally-led-innovations-recognised-at-blue-business-idea-competition-1770230218?amp=true
- https://en.prothomalo.com/youth/oloua36q6p
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1237180601844042
- https://en.prothomalo.com/youth/oloua36q6p
- https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/locally-led-innovations-recognised-at-blue-business-idea-competition-1770230218?amp=true
ChangeMaker Nexus Ltd. Wins the BLUE Business Idea Contest
Innovation, impact, and youth leadership took center stage at the final awarding ceremony of the BLUE Business Idea Contest in Dhaka, where ChangeMaker Nexus Ltd. emerged as a winning team. The event celebrated bold, locally driven solutions from young changemakers committed to tackling Bangladesh’s pressing water and waste management challenges.
This year, the competition received an impressive 315 business ideas from innovators across the country. After a rigorous selection process, 60 teams advanced to regional pitching rounds, and the top 10 finalists participated in a three-day intensive bootcamp focused on business modelling, budgeting, impact planning, and implementation readiness. In the final round, six top teams received seed funding and trophies, while four finalists were awarded certificates and cash prizes, with all teams gaining continued mentorship through the BLUE platform.
Speakers at the ceremony highlighted the importance of moving beyond pitching and translating innovative ideas into real-world solutions. The contest demonstrates how young innovators—like the team at ChangeMaker Nexus Ltd.—are ready to develop practical, scalable approaches to water and waste management challenges in Bangladesh.
The initiative was implemented by WaterAid Bangladesh under the Swiss-supported GO4IMPact project, creating opportunities for emerging innovators to connect their ideas with systems, financing, and partnerships for long-term impact.
Impact Stories
Tahera Akter Tanisha
Youth Creativity in Action: Tanisha’s Journey in Disaster Preparedness
As part of the Disaster Café program, ChangeMakerNexus trained young changemakers to transform creativity into practical disaster-preparedness solutions. One of the standout participants was Tanisha, whose work has been featured on the ADPC Impact Stories platform for her innovative approach to raising community awareness.
During the program, Tanisha explored local risks, mapped hazard-prone areas, and used storytelling to communicate safety messages in ways that resonated with students and neighbours. Her project demonstrated how youth-driven creativity can make preparedness more relatable, especially in communities that often feel disconnected from traditional training methods.
Her story highlights not just her personal growth, but also how empowering young leaders can spark wider community engagement and inspire others to take preparedness seriously.
Read the full story here:
https://www.adpc.net/ver25/ImpactStories.asp?q=2114
Sources/Links:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V2t1TJ-Gv4
- https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/corporatecorner/2025/12/10/1618073
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bangladeshide_unep-bridgeforbillions-entrepreneurs-ugcPost-7404464566845210625-KgwS/?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAABwmxEsBvEUxD4yoJhVliFVDB9PrWZDl7pQ&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=copy_link
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/the-restoration-factory-program_celebrating-restoration-entrepreneurs-activity-7404872048772296705-CwzX/?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAABwmxEsBvEUxD4yoJhVliFVDB9PrWZDl7pQ&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=copy_link
The Restoration Factory Bangladesh 2025: Empowering Green Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Impact
The Restoration Factory Bangladesh 2025, a flagship green entrepreneurship initiative implemented by iDE Bangladesh in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Bridge for Billions, successfully concluded its nine-month incubation and mentorship programme in Dhaka on 9 December 2025.
Launched to nurture early-stage climate-smart ventures, the programme brought together 50 entrepreneurs from across Bangladesh who developed and refined sustainable business models in sectors such as renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, waste management, nature-based solutions, and eco-friendly manufacturing.
The closing event featured a Green Innovation Showcase where founders presented environmentally focused solutions to investors, development partners, and ecosystem stakeholders. Seventeen teams pitched their ventures to an expert jury, and four startups were awarded USD 2,000 grants across categories including Environmental Impact, Social Impact, Innovation & Technology, and Women Entrepreneur of the Year.
Supported by UNEP, Bridge for Billions, and local mentors, the programme focused on strengthening investment readiness, refining business strategies, and fostering a collaborative community of green innovators — contributing to Bangladesh’s broader goal of climate resilience and sustainable economic growth.
This initiative highlights the growing momentum for green entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and underscores how targeted incubation support can accelerate solutions that benefit both the environment and society.