Economic Empowerment of the Poorest / SHIREE

Project completed

The programme Economic Empowerment of the Poorest, funded by DFID since 2008, has the objective to lift 1 million people out of extreme poverty and support Bangladesh in its endeavour to attain the MDGs 1/2. It is implemented as a challenge fund, which sub-contracts local and international NGOs on a competitive basis to implement innovative poverty reduction projects. The aim of the present proposal is to partner with DFID and co-finance this successful programme for the remaining duration of the first phase until 2015.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Bangladesh
Agriculture & food security
Employment & economic development
Agricultural development
Agriculture value-chain development (til 2016)
Employment creation
01.11.2012 - 15.10.2016
CHF 6'000'000
Background

The programme started as a joint initiative between DFID and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) in 2008 with an overall budget of GBP 65 million for 8 years. It is set-up as a challenge fund managed by an international consortium, finances interventions proposed by NGOs and engages in research/ advo-cacy on extreme poverty in Bangladesh. Recognising a need to strengthen linkages to local government institutions and improving market access within Shiree, DFID has approached SDC with its relevant expertise in both fields.

Objectives

The goal of the Shiree programme is to support the GoB in achieving its MDG targets on income poverty and hunger by 2015.

Target groups

  • 200’000 extreme poor households (=1 million people) in Bangladesh
  • National/International NGOS
  • GoB
  • National think tanks
  • Medium-term outcomes

    Over 1’000’000 people in rural and urban areas have lifted themselves out of extreme poverty by 2015.

    Results

    Results from previous phases:  

    As of end 2011 the Shiree programme had an esti-mated outreach of 150’000 households, established a national Extreme Poverty Research Group (EPRG) and facilitated the creation of an All Parliamentary Group on Extreme Poverty.


    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    Foreign state institution
    • National State Institute North
    • Harewelle International (lead); National + international NGOs; GoB; Private sector; National think tanks


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   6'000'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   4'904'356
    Project phases

    Phase 1 01.11.2012 - 15.10.2016   (Completed)