09/03/2026
Regional Advocacy Seminar on Localization in Bangladesh.
Efforts for Rural Advancement (ERA) successfully organized a Regional Advocacy Seminar titled âFrom Commitment to Action: Advancing Direct Funding and Risk Sharing in Bangladesh.â The event brought together key stakeholders to strengthen dialogue and collective commitment toward locally led humanitarian action in the Sylhet region.
The seminar opened with remarks from Fahmida Akther, Executive Director of ERA, while the event objectives were presented by Md. Kamrujjaman, Program Director, ERA. Safia Sarmin, MEAL Coordinator presented about the ToGETHER 2.0 Project. The session was skillfully moderated by Prasun Roy, Project Coordinator, and Audity Biswas Mou,MEAL & Documentation Officer.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Professor Dr. Tahmina Islam, Department of Social Work, SUST, Sylhet, highlighting the importance of localization, direct funding, and equitable partnerships in humanitarian response.
The event was organized by Efforts for Rural Advancement (ERA) with support from Malteser International under the ToGETHER Project.
A dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Md. Roushon Ali, Coordinator, NAHAB, featured distinguished panelists:
1.Khan Md. Reza-Un-Nabi, Divisional Commissioner, Sylhet
2.Keerti, Country Director, Malteser International, Bangladesh
3.Buli Hagidok, Country Director, Food for the Hungry
4.Khalid Bin Masud, Head of Science, UNESCO Bangladesh
5.Mohammad Shazed, Advisor: Humanitarian Affairs, Plan International Bangladesh
6.Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury, Coordinator, Learning & Development, FIVDB
7.Md. Matiur Rahaman, Project Coordinator, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Coxâs Bazar
The seminar emphasized the need to advance direct and flexible funding, equitable risk sharing, and stronger partnerships to empower local actors in humanitarian response across the Sylhet region.