In a significant move towards sustainable development, the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) launched the Growth for Climate Resilient and Environmental Entrepreneurship and Nutrition (GREEN) Project today. The initiative, aimed at accelerating sustainable economic growth, focuses on strengthening climate resilience, promoting safe and nutritious food systems, and fostering environmentally sustainable entrepreneurship. The inauguration ceremony, held at PKSF Bhaban-1 in Dhaka, was chaired by Md Fazlul Kader, Managing Director of PKSF.
Dr. Akond Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Managing Director of PKSF, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the rationale and strategic significance of the GREEN Project. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy General Manager and Project Coordinator, provided an overview of the project. PKSF Deputy Managing Directors A.Q.M. Golam Mawla, Md. Mashiar Rahman, and Md. Hasan Khaled also shared insights into PKSF's development initiatives and future priorities.
The GREEN Project, set to be implemented from 2026 to 2031 with a total investment of US$ 211.7 million, will see the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) contribute US$ 70 million, with the remainder coming from PKSF and its Partner Organisations. The project is expected to significantly expand climate-resilient agriculture, green enterprises, and improved nutrition across Bangladesh.
Md Fazlul Kader emphasized the need to move beyond conventional microfinance models towards growth-oriented financing. He outlined the project's focus on digital financing, agro-ecological farming, agriculture-based microenterprises, local agro-processing, value addition, safe and nutritious food systems, renewable energy—particularly solar power—and the promotion of a circular economy.
The GREEN Project will directly benefit more than 258,000 families across Bangladesh's haor, coastal, Barind, and char regions. It will prioritize climate-vulnerable communities, women, youth, small ethnic communities, socially marginalized groups, and micro-entrepreneurs by promoting climate-resilient food systems, green technologies, sustainable enterprise development, inclusive financial services, and strengthened institutional capacity of PKSF's Partner Organisations.
