Enhance Livelihood

In the southwest region of Bangladesh, where unemployment among young people—especially women—remains a pressing challenge, VBHES has launched a forward-looking initiative to harness the potential of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Through this program, nearly 600 youth from different areas of the Khulna division have received specialized training designed to equip them with digital skills relevant to both local and global markets. The initiative has facilitated the creation of community-level  information and e-commerce hubs, which not only provide access to essential services and market information but also act as incubators for startup enterprises that address local needs. By learning digital entrepreneurship, online marketing, and service delivery, these young people are now able to establish and run small-scale businesses, offering everything from local produce sales to online customer services. In addition, the program’s emphasis on outsourcing skills has opened up opportunities for remote work—particularly empowering for women, who can now participate in the digital economy without leaving their homes. This approach not only reduces the barriers to employment in geographically isolated or socially restrictive environments but also contributes to financial independence and increased community participation for women. By combining skills training, entrepreneurship support, and access to digital infrastructure, the ICT4D initiative is transforming rural youth into drivers of innovation, economic growth, and social change in one of the most climate- and economically vulnerable regions of Bangladesh.