Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities (SWAPNO) is a gender based social security project targeting ultra-poor rural women who are widowed, divorced, abandoned, or left with a disabled husband. The project aims to uplift these women out of extreme poverty through productive and sustainable livelihoods. Under the auspices of National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) of Bangladesh government, SWAPNO is implemented jointly by Local Government Division and UNDP since 2015. SWAPNO’s intervention follows a ‘state of the art’ graduation model that encompasses livelihood promotion, financial inclusion, social protection, and social empowerment. The women are employed for a specific tenure under public works. Simultaneously, training is provided to improve self-confidence, leadership, financial literacy, basic numeracy, savings, and spending. This process is followed by livelihood training based on their interests and local market opportunities to begin micro-enterprises or find formal employment. After completing their employment tenure, they can access funds to invest in their enterprises.

Weaving Dreams

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Interventions

Climate Adaptive Public Works

Swapno's Public Asset Maintenance Programme Has Successfully Maintained 14,000+ Critical Public Assets Which Have Benefitted The Local Communities Of 223 Unions Of 5 Districts.

Pooled Savings

Swapno’s Group Savings Mechanism Rosca Has Facilitated Beneficiaries Form 600+ Roscas Through Which They Have Generated Around Usd 1.8 Million.

Life Skills Training

Swapno Has Provided Life Skills Training To 12000+ Ultra-poor Rural Women To Enhance Their Confidence, Courage, And Communication Skills.
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Livelihood Skills Development

Swapno’s ‘future Employability’ Notion Has Facilitated 12,000+ Beneficiaries To Become Skilled In Both Formal And Informal Livelihood Opportunities

Impacts and Results

14567

Community Assets Maintained

588 Beneficiaries secured jobs in RMG and Leather sectors

669 ROSCAs Formed

205844

Support packages distributed during COVID-19

Best CSR Award

For Financial Inclusion model

1620

Beneficiaries under Micro-health insurance coverage

BDT 108 crore

Disbursed as wage payment

96%

Correct beneficiary targeting

Reports, News & Stories

SWAPNO fulfills Dream

SWAPNO beneficiary women who were destitute and hapless are now employed and part of the vibrant work crew working 6 hours in maintaining important community public assets of Union Parishad. For the next 18 months they all will have waged employment and simultaneously...

Enable 1030 UPs for management of pro-poor projects

7210 elected, selected community members and UP Secretaries of 1030 Union Parishads and about 65000 women beneficiaries are trained on relevant subjects. SWAPNO will enhance capacity of Union Parishads, the lowest tier of...

Financial Inclusion Reduces Poverty

All SWAPNO women have individual bank accounts and each woman receives BDT 67,500 in cash as wages, BDT 22,500 with interest as mandatory savings at the end of 18 months public works employment tenure....

Anju’s Transformation from a Child Bride to a Breadwinner Through Courage

At just 28 years old, Mst. Anju Ara has faced more challenges than many endure in a lifetime. Her story is one of courage, and transformation.

Amena Begum's Journey to Light and Dreams

Amena's life took a devastating turn when she endured unimaginable violence at the hands of her husband. The abuse left her permanently blind in one eye and caused the loss of her unborn child. Four years ago, she fled her abusive household with her two children and sought refuge at her mother’s home. Through SWAPNO II, Amena began working on maintaining roads and public structures in her community. This opportunity brought steady income and introduced her to training programs that taught her how to save money, manage small businesses,

From Survivor to Role Model: Deepali’s Journey to Empowerment

Deepali Rani Mandal transformed her struggles into strength, showing that with the right opportunities, women can rise above adversity and inspire change.