Author: Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
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ESDO WWD 1
News & Events
March 9, 2026

SMART project marks International Women’s Day with rallies, discussions across the country

SMART project implementing Partner Organizations of PKSF observed International Women’s Day 2026 through a series of vibrant community events across project areas, highlighting women’s rights, contributions to the economy, and persistent challenges. The celebrations on March 8 aligned with this year’s global theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”.

Under the SMART project, sub-projects implemented by various PKSF partners organized colorful processions, rallies, discussion sessions, debate competition, human chain, and quiz competitions for students in different parts of the country. Environment Clubs mobilized micro-entrepreneurs and local community members to take active part in the programs. Participants discussed the significance of Women’s Day, women’s pivotal role in society and the national economy, their entitlements, and the barriers they continue to face. In several locations, the Partner Organizations distributed tree saplings and books among quiz competition winners to promote both knowledge and environmental awareness. The events served to spotlight the SMART project’s deliberate focus on women’s economic empowerment.

SMART’s results framework sets a specific target that 65 percent of supported microenterprises adopting climate-resilient practices and achieving revenue growth should be female-owned. The project also aims for at least 30 percent women’s representation in the management committees of non-revenue-generating common facilities to strengthen female leadership. Additionally, women-led microenterprises receive tailored training — based on professional assessments — in financial literacy, green technologies, and marketing strategies for eco-friendly products. These targeted interventions reflect SMART’s broader commitment to fostering gender-inclusive, climate-resilient microenterprise development across Bangladesh.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
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News & Events
March 9, 2026

SMART project holds 3rd QPRM and recognizes top performing POs

The Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) Project organized its 3rd Quarterly Progress Review Meeting (QPRM) in 2026 to assess implementation progress and strengthen coordination with Partner Organizations (POs). During the event, the project recognized three top-performing Partner Organizations for the first time for their stellar performances in implementing sub-project activities.

The review meetings were held from 2 to 8 March 2026, bringing together SMART project officials and 200 representatives from 51 Partner Organizations, who are implementing 66 sub-projects across the country.

The inaugural session was presided over by PKSF Deputy Managing Director Md Mashiar Rahman, who highlighted the project’s distinctive approach of assessing the progress of individual microenterprises alongside overall development outcomes. He emphasized the importance of adopting Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices and urged Partner Organizations to achieve their targets within the stipulated timeframe.

In his opening remarks, Project Coordinator A. K. M. Zahirul Haque underscored the project’s long-term vision of promoting green growth among microenterprises through sustainable and climate-resilient practices.

The SMART Project recognized three top-performing Partner Organizations for their outstanding performances in implementing sub-project activities during the period October 2025 to January 2026. Ghashful, National Development Programme (NDP), and Paribar Unnayon Songstha received the ‘Achievement Award’ for their respective sub-sectors- High Value Crops, Loom, and Cattle and Buffalo.

During the meetings, Partner Organizations presented progress updates on their respective sub-projects and discussed implementation challenges, lessons learned, and future action plans.

The SMART Project, a five-year initiative, aims to promote climate-resilient and green growth by supporting around 80,000 microentrepreneurs across Bangladesh by 2028.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
PKSF – Jashore 31
Stories
February 15, 2026

Reshma Khatun’s success in environment-friendly flower farming

Everywhere you look in Haria village of Jhikargachha upazila in Jessore, you can see eye-catching flower fields. Yet the worries of flower farmers are endless. The vast fields are filled with a variety of flowers including roses, marigolds, gerberas, chrysanthemums, and more. However, it becomes difficult for flower farmers to calculate their profit and loss at the end of the season. The ever-increasing prices of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the cost of excessive water use and irrigation, the weeds that accumulate on the land, and the plant remains after harvesting flowers—all of this, like for all other flower farmers, constantly cast a shadow of uncertainty over Reshma Khatun (30).

Reshma’s voice carries regret, “Even though I cultivated flowers using the methods I learned from my parents, it was difficult to bring home a profit.” The constant reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides in conventional farming not only increased costs but also destroyed the soil quality of her land. The excessive use of pesticides to control insects was reducing the quality of her flowers. Sometimes the flowers did not even fetch the right price in the market. Water wastage was another major problem. Electricity bills were increasing due to excessive irrigation, as was the reliance on groundwater.

As losses mounted, continuing to cultivate flowers on two bighas of land became an uphill battle for Reshma. A family of five members, workers’ wages, and an uncertain income at the end of the season — all these worries seemed to be overwhelming her.

In the midst of this crisis, PKSF’s SMART project emerged as a ray of hope. Reshma joined the project through the Rural Reconstruction Foundation with a great hope. Although she was skeptical at the beginning, her conventional thinking began to change through training. Reshma first learned about the Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices through the project. Through training in eco-friendly farming methods, she learned about modern methods of flower cultivation at low cost, reducing waste without harming the environment. Under the project, she started her eco-friendly flower cultivation journey with a loan of three lakh taka.

Reshma started using organic fertilizers and organic pesticides with renewed enthusiasm. The health damage caused to her and the workers by using chemical fertilizers and pesticides has also shown positive change. In addition, instead of chemical sprays, she started using colored traps and pheromone traps to control insects. This reduces costs, improves the quality of flowers, and keeps the flowers fresh for longer. Additionally, she avoided the previous ‘flood irrigation’ method and started irrigating the flower fields in a controlled manner using hose pipes. This not only reduces water wastage but also lowers her electricity bill and reduces her dependence on groundwater.

The waste that used to accumulate in the field after collecting flowers has now become a new resource with the advice of the project. She is now making organic fertilizer from flower residues and organic waste. Reshma says, “What I used to throw away before is now food for my land. This organic fertilizer now helps retain soil moisture and increases soil fertility.”

She has witnessed the results of this change with her own eyes. Where her seasonal income was once around BDT 175,000, it has now increased to BDT 225,000. In just a year, Reshma’s income from two bighas of land has increased by BDT 50,000.

Reshma purchased a mini power tiller to mechanize and modernize the farm. This has reduced the dependency on labor and significantly increased the speed of work. Reshma says with a smile, “Earlier, I needed more workers for cultivation and weeding. Now, one worker can do the work of cultivation and weeding with machines.”

Today, that flower field in Haria village is no longer just a picture of worry. There are signs of change. Reshma herself now teaches others about environment-friendly flower farming methods. She is involving people in environment club meetings. Following her path, other flower farmers have also started cultivating in a new, environment-friendly way.

Reshma is a successful flower farmer today, having overcome past losses. She has proven that the right advice, knowledge, training, timely support, and environment-friendly decisions can change the life of a woman, a field, and even the future of a village.

The soft afternoon light slowly spreads across the flower fields. Rows of marigolds and gerbera flowers sway in the wind. Reshma Khatun stands in the middle of the flower fields. There is no fatigue in her eyes, only a deep expectation as she looks into the distance. She dreams of one day cultivating more diverse flowers. Her own brand of flowers will be developed. Flowers will be sold online, and their fame will spread to different parts of the country.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
6. Sarkar Metal
Stories
November 2, 2025

SMART project driving growth through eco-friendly innovation in light engineering sector

In Bangladesh, the light engineering sector plays a vital role in the national economy, but it also faces significant challenges. Many of its microenterprises operate with outdated, resource-intensive technologies that contribute to environmental pollution and limit profitability. The story of Sarkar Metal & Engineering, a small foundry in Bogura, highlights a path of transformation that addresses these issues through Resource-efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices, proving that environmental responsibility can lead to economic viability. It is a testament to how targeted support and strategic partnerships can transform an entire industry, one enterprise at a time.

Founded in 2015 by Md Shihab Uddin Sarkar, the company initially used a coal-powered foundry to produce parts for large industrial clients like RFL. While the business started with promise, by 2020 it faced a crisis. The market for its primary product, tube-wells, had collapsed, and soaring electricity costs, which had doubled from BDT 5 to 10 per unit, made the business model unsustainable. Faced with the risk of closure, Sarkar’s once-promising venture stood on the edge of survival for a substantial period of time.

In 2024, Sarkar attended a workshop on RECP technology organized by Gram Unnayan Karma (GUK) under the Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project. The workshop presented a new perspective: that cost reduction and environmental protection could go hand in hand. Inspired and determined, Sarkar decided to reinvent his business.

PFI panel helps reduce the loss of electricity in the workshop
Workers running the newly-installed induction furnace

With support from the SMART project, Sarkar received hands-on training in RECP practices, e-commerce marketing, and environmental certification. Backed by a BDT 10 lakh Common Service loan from GUK and a grant for an automated induction furnace, he made a strategic move. He replaced his polluting coal-based foundry with automated induction technology.

This was more than an upgrade, a fundamental shift. The change resulted in reduction of production costs, a significant improvement in product quality, and a near-zero reduction in waste generation. Beyond the technology, Sarkar implemented modern waste management practices and planted over 1,200 timber and fruit trees on his property. He also focused on his employees’ well-being, providing safety equipment and occupational health training. As Sarkar himself reflected, “This wasn’t just an upgrade—it was a complete transformation. Production costs fell by 20-30%, product quality soared, and waste generation dropped to nearly zero. My foundry became not just a workplace, but a model of safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient industry.”

The transition from a coal-powered cupola furnace to an automated induction furnace offers a clear set of benefits. A cupola furnace produces a raw material waste of about 10% and emits approximately 550 kg of CO2 per ton of material produced. In contrast, an induction furnace reduces raw material waste to about 5% and has no direct emissions. While the cupola furnace is limited to producing cast iron and requires 250 KWh of electricity plus 100 kg of coal per ton, the induction furnace is more versatile, capable of processing steel, cast iron, aluminum, copper, and brass. It requires 1000 KWh of electricity per ton, but eliminates the need for coal and its associated costs and pollution.

Infographics: Cupola vs Induction furnace

The success of Sarkar Metal & Engineering is part of a larger, coordinated effort. According to A. K. M. Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy General Manager of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Bogura, the government has long been working to address key challenges in green manufacturing. Rahman notes that these include “a significant lack of awareness among entrepreneurs about sustainable practices, insufficient legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, limited technical knowledge regarding clean production methods, inadequate financial capacity among microenterprises to invest in green technologies, and poor coordination between various government agencies and development partners.”

He believes the SMART project’s collaborative approach has aligned well with national goals. “Working hand-in-hand with BSCIC, the project has initiated comprehensive activities to sensitize light engineering entrepreneurs through strategic observation of national and international environmental days, targeted awareness campaigns, and regular stakeholder meetings. This approach has proven highly effective in bridging the gap between policy intentions and ground-level implementation.” Rahman adds that he is particularly impressed by how the project “ensures both work-friendly environments and green growth through targeted support mechanisms.”

The partnership behind the SMART project involves the World Bank, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), and GUK. Dr Md Mahbub Alam, Senior Director at GUK, describes this collaboration as pivotal. “The partnership with the World Bank, PKSF, and Gram Unnayan Karma (GUK) has been crucial in driving success by combining international expertise, national policies, and grassroots networks. The World Bank and PKSF provided technical guidance and ensured an effective financial mechanism, and GUK delivered community-level support. This multi-tiered model enabled comprehensive assistance ranging from awareness and training to sustainable financing reaching entrepreneurs previously excluded from traditional development programs.”

A K M Mahfuzur Rahman, DGM and District Head, BSCIC, Bogura
Md Shihab Uddin Sarkar, Owner, Sarkar Metal & Engineering

Dr Alam highlights the sustainability of RECP practices. “The outstanding economic benefits we have achieved including impressive cost reductions of 20-30% and exceptional product quality improvements create powerful momentum for widespread adoption. The dynamic peer-to-peer learning networks, exemplified by inspiring success stories like Sarkar’s foundry transformation, are generating an unstoppable wave of knowledge sharing and continuous innovation.”

Sarkar’s transformation has made his business a local leader in green industrial practices. He now shares his knowledge with other foundry owners, promoting eco-friendly methods. His vision continues to grow, as he plans to add a heat treatment plant, a metal testing lab, and a solar energy system.

GUK is working to provide financial and technical support to 1,000 microenterprises in Bagura and Naogaon districts under the ‘Promoting Sustainable Growth in Machinery and Equipment Sub-Sector through RECP Practices’ sub-project of the SMART project. With support from the government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, PKSF is implementing the SMART project across the country to support around 80,000 microenterprises in Agriculture, Manufacturing and Processing, and Service sectors within 2028. The main objective of the project is to increase resource-efficient and resilient green growth of microenterprises.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
6 Reuse of wastewater and water efficiency
Stories
October 28, 2025

From brick kilns to concrete blocks: The green transition of Orange Concrete Block Factory

The contribution of construction sector in a country’s economic growth is undeniable. Traditionally the sector is mostly reliant on the use of bricks produced in large brick kilns that consume fertile topsoil and responsible for significant carbon emissions since it burns a lot of fossil fuel including wood and coal. This practice harms agricultural land and public health on a significant scale. The story of Md Asad Hossain Orange, an entrepreneur from Thakurgaon, provides a clear example of how strategic intervention can lead to a more sustainable and profitable business model, proving that economic development and environmental sustainability can be mutually reinforcing.

For years, Orange managed his family’s two traditional brick kilns, which provided a steady income but came at a high environmental cost. His business consumed approximately 900,000 kg of fertile topsoil and emitted 2,885 tons of CO₂ annually from coal burning. The environmental damage was significant, leading to farmer protests and the degradation of farmland. On a business level, the traditional process resulted in a low-quality product, with about 40% of bricks cracking during firing. The government also took initiatives to reduce the use of bricks, considering its negative impact on environment. Thus, he was excluded from government tenders that required eco-friendly materials, limiting his market opportunities. His primary goal was to continue his family’s business profitably while also reducing its environmental harm and becoming eligible for government contracts. He knew the negative impact of the brick kilns but could not help continuing, since he had no other options.

Orange's factory is equiped with state of the art automatic block making machinge
A power factor improvement (PFI) panel is installed to reduce system loss and, thereby, energy cost

In September 2024, the ESDO SMART team visited Orange’s brick kilns and introduced him to the concept of making eco-friendly concrete blocks. This demonstration was a turning point. Realizing the extent of his business’s negative impact on the environment and immense opportunity of concrete blocks, he was motivated to join the project and transform his operations.

Through the SMART project, Orange received comprehensive financial and technical support. He took a loan of BDT 800,000 from the project and was enrolled in residential, hands-on training sessions on resource-efficient block production for himself, his technicians, and masons. The training covered advanced technologies, fire safety, and occupational health standards. He also received guidance on proper production technique, business and product certification to meet market standards.

He started block production and faced some challenges. The machines run on electricity and the raw materials are not so cheap. So, the profit margin was not up to his expectation. The SMART project officials, introduced him with Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices. 

Orange implemented several RECP technologies and practices. He installed a Power Factor Improvement (PFI) system to reduce electricity consumption, built a Dyke Wall storage for raw materials to minimize air emissions, and created a wastewater recharge pit to reuse water instead of discharging it. These changes led to significant results: his electricity bills dropped by 30%, raw material waste was reduced by 15%, and 20,000 liters of water were reused monthly.

The workers reuse thousands of liters of water for curing the blocks
Fly ash from the rice mills is used in block production, an efficient use of waste materials

Most importantly, his transition to concrete blocks now saves over 4,300 tons of topsoil annually compared to traditional brick kilns.

Beyond the numbers, the impact has been personal and communal. Orange no longer feels the guilt of harming the environment. He notes that air quality has improved, and farmland has been restored, allowing his neighbors to resume farming, with one neighbor recently harvesting 40 mounds of rice. His workers now enjoy safer conditions and improved health.

The success of Orange’s business is a direct result of a strategic collaboration. As Engineer Nazmul Haque, Assistant Engineer at the Public Works Department (PWD) in Thakurgaon, notes, the SMART project created a breakthrough by combining World Bank financing with technical support for RECP. “The transition of Orange Concrete Block Factory alone now saves over 4,000 tons of topsoil every year, and this successful model is already being scaled up in several districts under the National Adaptation Plan 2050,” Haque stated.

The Executive Director of ESDO, highlighted the vision behind the project, “For years, Bangladesh’s construction sector relied on traditional brick kilns — consuming fertile topsoil, emitting carbon, and harming communities. This was not sustainable for our farmers, our workers, or our environment. Today, they are not just producing blocks, they are producing hope, resilience, and sustainability.” He stated that the World Bank provided strategic guidance and financing, while PKSF ensured accountability and strong coordination. This synergy allowed ESDO to effectively channel resources to entrepreneurs, empowering them to adopt new technologies and access markets.

Engineer Nazmul Haque, Public Works Department
Micro-entrepreneur Md Asad Hossain Orange

The SMART project has shown that addressing a pressing challenge like balancing urbanization with climate resilience is possible through an integrated approach. The project’s success is driven by its combination of training, technology adoption, and market linkages. By providing policy support, financial access, and technical guidance, it has reduced the barriers for entrepreneurs to adopt green business models.

Orange now aims to scale up his eco-friendly block production and expand into wider markets. He plans to continue adopting innovative RECP practices to strengthen the sustainability of his business. The project’s results, visible in Orange’s transformation, suggest that with sustained support, these eco-friendly practices can move from a pilot to the new standard for Bangladesh’s construction sector.

ESDO is working to provide financial and technical support to 1,200 microenterprises in eight districts in the northern region. However, two other Partner Organizations supporting a total of 600 block-producing microenterprises through similar sub-projects of the SMART project in the southern parts of the country. With support from the government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, PKSF is implementing the SMART project across the country to support around 80,000 microenterprises in Agriculture, Manufacturing and Processing, and Service sectors during within 2028. The main objective of the project is to increase resource-efficient and resilient green growth of microenterprises.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
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Stories
September 7, 2025

Smart solutions for big savings and cleaner production in dairy farming

The sky over Rasulpur village in Bhola district was a canvas of soft, cotton-like clouds, a gentle reminder of the recent rain. The path to Sajeda Khatun’s tin-shed home was muddy, but the journey revealed a story of transformation. We walked down the road to meet Sajeda Khatun. At 42, she is a dedicated dairy farmer and a member of SMART project’s Cattle and Buffalo sub-sector, and has turned challenges into triumphs with strategic support from the project.

Before joining the SMART project, Sajeda faced daily struggles in managing her 14 cattle, including 8 milch cows that produced around 60 liters of milk daily. She needed 360-370 kg of fodder, but a significant 30-40 kg went to waste each day because she had to manually chop it. Her reliance on purchasing expensive concentrated feed from the local market further squeezed her profits. The process was labor-intensive, costly, and inefficient.

Recognizing her potential and need for sustainable practices, the SMART project provided Sajeda with a BDT 1 lakh loan and a small grant. This crucial assistance enabled her to adopt two key Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices: self-processing feed using a multifunctional feed processing machine and waste disposal pit. She invested in a modern feed processing machine and installed a waste disposal pit.

The impact was immediate and profound. “I used to buy over 360 kg of fodder every day, and more than 40 kg was wasted because I had to cut it by hand,” Sajeda explained, her voice now filled with relief. “Now, with the processing machine, there’s virtually no waste. Plus, I don’t have to buy concentrated feed anymore; I make it myself, saving about BDT 15 per kg!”

This simple yet effective change drastically reduced her daily fodder use to about 330 kg, with minimal wastage. By crushing her own concentrate feed, she saves BDT 10-15 per unit. These savings, coupled with reduced labor and time, have significantly boosted her farm’s profitability and given her more time to manage her household, which includes her husband, two sons, and one daughter.

Sajeda’s farm now stands as a model of efficiency. Her ability to produce most of her feed on-site has made her less vulnerable to market price fluctuations. In an inspiring display of entrepreneurial spirit, she also offers fodder chopping and feed grinding services to other farmers in Rasulpur, generating additional income and strengthening community ties.

Looking ahead, Sajeda Khatun is filled with aspirations. She hopes to expand her herd of milch cows and invest in advanced dairy machinery, such as milking machines, to further enhance her farm’s productivity. Her journey from a struggling farmer to a successful, environmentally conscious entrepreneur highlights the transformative power of targeted interventions and the resilience of individuals like Sajeda, who are building a greener, more prosperous future for themselves and their community.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-27 at 12.04.03 PM (2)
News & Events
August 31, 2025

World Bank lauds SMART project’s innovative approach to green growth

Ann Jeannette Glauber, Practice Manager for Environment and Natural Resources at the World Bank’s East Asia and the Pacific Region, lauded the SMART project for its ‘innovative’ initiatives in promoting Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices in microenterprises (MEs). Her comments came during a community consultation meeting on 26 August 2025, in Munshiganj, following a visit to several microenterprises in the district’s Louhajong upazila.

Resource Integration Centre (RIC) organized the meeting under ‘Promoting Resilient Green Growth in Dairy Sub-sector’ sub-project of the SMART project. It brought together delegates from the World Bank, PKSF, RIC, and the Upazila Livestock Officer to engage directly with 11 local micro-entrepreneurs. During the discussion, the entrepreneurs expressed satisfaction with the financial and technical support they are receiving. To them, RECP is a new concept which helps conserve the environment as well as ensure optimum use of thier resources. They also expressed their desire for continued assistance to expand their businesses and diversify their products.

The World Bank delegates, including SMART project Task Team Leader Keisuke Iyadomi and Senior Environmental Specialist Kirtan Chandra Sahoo, Senior Private Sector Specialist Hosna Ferdous Sumi, Environmental Specialist Bushra Nishat, visited cattle-rearing microenterprises to observe the RECP practices and its benefits firsthand. Gokul Chandra Biswas, Project Coordinator of the SMART project, AKM Zahirul Haqeu, Deputy Project Coordinator of the SMART project, Dr Shemol Chandra Podder, Upazila Livestock Officer of Lowhajang, and Alauddin Khan, General Manger of RIC, and other officials of PKSF and RIC were present during the meeting.

The day before the field visit, a courtesy meeting was held at PKSF with Ms Glauber, presided over by PKSF Deputy Managing Director Md Mashiar Rahman. He highlighted PKSF’s commitment to integrating RECP practices into its core programs and acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the World Bank. Ms Glauber, in turn, stressed the potential impact the SMART project can create through appropriate financing.

RIC, as a Partner Organizaiton of PKSF, is providing financial and technical support to the MEs in ‘Cattle and Buffalo’ sub-sector with a target of reaching 1,200 in Munshiganj district under one of the sub-projects of the SMART project. PKSF is implementing the SMART project across the country to support around 80,000 microenterprises in Agriculture, Manufacturing and Processing, and Service sectors within 2028. The main objective of the project is to increase resource-efficient and resilient green growth of microenterprises.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
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News & Events
August 6, 2025

New TTL visits SMART project in Rangpur

Keisuke Iyadomi, the new Task Team Leader (TTL) from the World Bank of the SMART Project, visited Rangpur on 17 July 2025, to observe field activities, with a particular focus on the project’s environmental impact. He took on the role of TTL earlier this month.

During his visit, Keisuke Iyadomi and his team explored three eco-block production centers in Rangpur Sadar upazila. These factories, supported by the SMART project, are promoting eco-friendly construction materials through Resource-Efficient Cleaner Production (RECP) practices.

Bushra Nishat, Environmental Specialist, The World Bank; Gokul Chandra Biswas, Project Coordinator of the SMART project; A.K.M. Zahirul Haque, Deputy Project Coordinator of the SMART project, among others, were also present during the visit. The visitors exchanged views with the micro-entrepreneurs of the ‘Eco-friendly Construction Materials’ sub-sector and the sub-project team in Rangpur.

“As the new TTL for the project, this is my first visit to see the activities in the field under the SMART project,” stated Keisuke Iyadomi. He emphasized on the environmental benefits, adding, “The production and use of environment-friendly blocks will protect the top soil of the land, reduce carbon emissions, increase the yield of the crop, and have positive effects on climate change.”

The ‘Promoting Eco-Friendly Construction Materials through Resource Efficient Cleaner Production’ sub-project, implemented by the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) under the SMART project, aims to reduce environmental degradation caused by traditional construction methods by introducing sustainable alternatives.

Micro-entrepreneurs in Rangpur are now focused on product diversification within the construction materials sector. They expressed aspirations to expand into high-quality eco-block production while following the environmental and waste management protocols. This vision, they noted, hinges on receiving financial and technical support.

This discussion took place during a workshop organized by ESDO at their office in Rangpur. The event provided a vital platform for local micro-entrepreneurs to discuss the adoption of new technologies, resource-efficient and cleaner production methods, as well as associated challenges and possibilities.

The workshop was presided over by Gokul Chandra Biswas, where Keisuke Iyadomi spoke as the Chief Guest. Attendees included eight micro-entrepreneurs, several contractors, government officials from the Department of Environment (DoE) and Public Works Department (PWD), teachers from Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, and other relevant stakeholders.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
Day 1_SMART QPR (2)
News & Events
August 4, 2025

SMART project organizes 1st Quarterly Progress Review meeting

The Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project concluded a five-day Quarterly Progress Review meeting on 31 July 2025. The meeting, which commenced on 27 July, brought together SMART project officials and 150 representatives from 41 Partner Organizations currently implementing 50 sub-projects across the country.

PKSF’s Deputy Managing Director Md Mashiar Rahman presided over the inaugural session, emphasizing the unique approach of the SMART project. “In addition to the overall development review, the progress of each individual microenterprise will also be evaluated in this project,” stated Md Mashiar Rahman. He highlighted the critical importance of all micro-entrepreneurs embracing Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices and urged partner organizations to swiftly achieve their member targets.

Project Coordinator Gokul Chandra Biswas delivered the opening speech, highlighting the long-term vision. “A microenterprise today holds the potential to become a large enterprise in the future,” he remarked. “Therefore, generating ‘green growth’ within these initiatives will yield significant benefits for us down the line.”

Throughout the review meeting, sub-project implementing POs presented on the updates on their respective sub-projects, along with insights into the challenges came across during implementations.

The SMART is a five-year project aimed at fostering green growth in microenterprises by ensuring climate-resilient RECP practices. The project is set to support approximately 80,000 micro-entrepreneurs by 2028.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)
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News & Events
May 15, 2025

World Bank’s Practice Manager meets SMART project team at PKSF

Christian Peter, Practice Manager of Environment, Natural Resources, and Blue Economy at the World Bank, paid a courtesy visit to the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) on Wednesday, 14 May 2025. A courtesy meeting was held between him and the Managing Director of PKSF Md Fazlul Kader. The Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project informed the progress of the project during the meeting.
During the discussion, PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the SMART project. He stated that the SMART is a project where we are prioritizing resource efficiency, green growth, and climate resilience of the microenterprises (MEs). By adopting resource-efficient technologies, MEs can achieve significant cost savings. Furthermore, our introduction of the zero-waste approach empowers them to minimize waste generation and maximize its utility by transforming it into resources and adding value. Our field observations indicate that MEs can command better prices by enhancing the value of their offerings. Importantly, MEs create employment opportunities not only for those directly involved but also for many others in backward and forward linkages. This is why investment in microenterprises is bringing a great result for the country.

Acknowledging the comprehensive impact of the SMART project, Mr Peter concurred with Mr Kader’s assessment. He affirmed the World Bank’s commitment, stating, “We should put necessary emphasis on the value chain where the best results can be achieved.” Both of them recognized the enduring partnership between the World Bank and PKSF and reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in the future.
The meeting also served as an opportunity for the current World Bank Task Team Leader (TTL) for the SMART project Eun Joo Allison to introduce Keisuke Iyadomi, who will assume the role of the new TTL on behalf of the World Bank starting in July 2025. PKSF MD thanked Ms Allison for her continued support during the tenure and expressed his expectation for the same in the future.
Deputy Managing Director of PKSF Md Mashiar Rahman, and Project Coordinator of the SMART project Gokul Chandra Biswas, among others, were also present in the meeting where Md Rawshan Habib, Deputy Project Coordinator of the SMART project, made a presentation on the SMART project and its activities.

By Alal Ahmed, Program Manager (Communication and Knowledge Management)