Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) has been working for the MEs, expediting poverty reduction by expanding opportunities for self and wage employment in Bangladesh. Recognizing this, PKSF, an apex development organization in Bangladesh, has launched the Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project. It aims to equip MEs with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve green growth, a crucial step towards a more sustainable future for Bangladesh, by promoting climate-resilient Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices and technologies among MEs.
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The SMART project is providing financial and technical assistance, access to safe inputs and services, technology transfer, mechanization of farms and processing plants, production of processed goods, certification of products, and marketing of agricultural, fisheries, and livestock products to the project participants through selective partners organization.
The project is led by the Project Coordinator Gokul Chandra Biswas, General Manager (Program), PKSF. Also, the Managing Director of PKSF and the Additional Managing Director of PKSF are supporting the PC for the smooth operation of this project.
GIS based MAP will be provided later
Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) refers to the continuous application of preventive environmental strategies towards processes, products and services in order to increase the efficiency with which they use materials, water and energy, to improve their productivity and, thus, their competitiveness. Its application leads to a reduction in the amount of pollution and waste generated, and reduces threats and risks for humans and the environment.
This component is providing sustainable financial services to micro-entrepreneurs and growing/larger enterprises and agribusinesses allowing sustainable growth of their practices. The project also leverages commercial finance through non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) for investment in growing/larger enterprises and agribusinesses to expand the market for the output of micro-enterprises.
this Component expands technical assistance to 80,000 MEs to acquire knowledge and capacity on climate-resilient RECP. This Component will use a more institutionalized approach through conducting technical resource-efficiency, environmental and climate adaptation technology, and environmental assessments. This will select and prioritize climate-resilient RECP practices and develop environmental and financial digital tools to support business plan development that considers economic benefits in a climate hazard situation. The Component will support two types of MEs: those starting new green businesses and those willing to convert existing businesses to more climate-resilient ones and introduce digital tools and climate-resilient RECP. This Component will enable MEs to adopt changes in their existing business practices and build awareness of critical environmental issues.
This will include enhancing the capacity of the PMU to carry out communications, monitoring and evaluation activities. This will require implementing a digital system-based project management tool, enhancing PKSF’s capacity to adopt a more systematic data management approach, and enhancing the technical environmental and climate-change capacity of PKSF’s ECCU, especially in knowledge management and climate-resilient RECP practices. Data and evidence are essential for a systematic transformation toward sustainable financing. PKSF has a great scope to capitalize on the existing database to find various behavior patterns in the ME sector. Technology can assist PMU in organizing data and becoming the first governmental knowledge-driven organization in Bangladesh focusing on sustainable financing for MEs. Under this subcomponent, the technology and capacity-building support will be provided for the application and use of nudging, psychometric analysis, introducing new digital solutions as part of the digital transformation. The M&E will include: (a) audit of PO operations by PKSF; (b) continuous onsite and offsite monitoring by PKSF; (c) a project baseline study (conducted at the beginning of the project based), midterm review, and final evaluation; (d) management information system (MIS) development and adoption of digital modalities; and (e) citizen-engagement mechanisms including survey of satisfaction with project interventions and feedback loop and capacity support to PKSF and their networks.
This will include supporting the generation and sharing of knowledge of all Project participants (the PMU staff, PO staff and MEs). Knowledge management will aim to maximize the learning of all actors and capture achievements and lessons learned in different forms, from communications to analytical studies, radio interviews and instruction videos for almost any product. This subcomponent will contribute to the design of new learning through events and trainings based on the demands generated through implementation. PKSF will conduct cluster and/or product-specific studies, as needed, that will help POs undertake the activities in components 1 and 2.
This will require implementing a digital system-based project management tool, enhancing PKSF’s capacity to adopt a more systematic data management approach, and enhancing the technical environmental and climate-change capacity of PKSF’s ECCU, especially in knowledge management and climate-resilient RECP practices. Data and evidence are essential for a systematic transformation toward sustainable financing. PKSF has a great scope to capitalize on the existing database to find various behaviour patterns in the ME sector. Technology can assist PMU in organizing data and becoming the first governmental knowledge-driven organization in Bangladesh focusing on sustainable financing for MEs. The technology and capacity-building support will be provided for the application and use of nudging, psychometric analysis, introducing new digital solutions as part of the digital transformation.
SMART Project publications like photos, videos, stories, blogs, reports, and newsletter showcase the branding image of PKSF, World Bank, and POs through the different interventions to the Government, stakeholders, supporters, and project participants.
Our News and Media is a one-stop center for regular project updates, multimedia press coverage, and in-depth information on development-related issues. We provide news announcements, press releases, project updates, and statements by the PKSF leadership and project management unit of the SMART project.
Project Management Unit (PMU) Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) Palli-Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) PKSF Bhaban, E-4/B, Agargaon Administrative Area Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 Email us: smart.pksf@gmail.com