Locations
BACKGROUND
NGOs are vital partners in Bangladesh’s development. They reach marginalised communities, expand access to essential services, respond to disasters, support climate resilience and promote rights and good governance.
The NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) regulates foreign-funded NGOs and oversees the approval, monitoring and management of foreign donations. The number of NGOs under its purview has grown from 394 to over 2,800 in 2026. Manual processes, limited capacity and gaps in reporting constrain timely service delivery. UNDP is supporting the Government through ISPAT to strengthen NGOAB’s capacity, modernise its services and create a more enabling policy environment for NGOs.
WHAT ISPAT DOES
1. Strengthens NGOAB’s Institutional Capacity
ISPAT helps NGOAB transition from manual processes to integrated, user-centred digital systems for NGO registration, project approval, foreign fund management, monitoring and performance tracking. Data-driven systems strengthen transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making. Online and offline feedback channels enable NGOs and civil society organisations to provide regular input on services and regulatory processes.
2. Strengthens Professional Capacity
Through training, mentoring, coaching, peer learning and exposure to good practices, ISPAT strengthens the professional and leadership capacities of NGOAB staff and relevant NGO personnel. Support covers areas such as digital service delivery, project management, gender-responsive programming and inclusive governance. The project promotes a shift from a primarily regulatory role towards a more facilitative and partnership-oriented approach, while addressing unconscious and confirmation biases to support gender-responsive, accessible and inclusive decision-making.
3. Supports Policy Reform and Enabling Environment
ISPAT provides technical assistance to review and simplify regulatory policies and procedures, reduce administrative bottlenecks and create greater space for NGO-led innovation. It supports alignment of NGOAB’s functions with national priorities and contributes to SDG 1, SDG 5 and SDG 16 by strengthening inclusive institutions, advancing gender equality and enabling civil society organisations to contribute more effectively to development.
EXPECTED RESULTS
More transparent, efficient and responsive NGOAB services, supported by integrated digital systems.
A more professional and inclusive NGOAB workforce with stronger technical, digital, leadership and service-delivery skills.
A policy and regulatory environment that streamlines administrative processes and enables NGOs to contribute to national priorities and the SDGs.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Regulatory reform for foreign donations: ISPAT supported the Government in revising the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Act, 2016 and formulating its detailed Rules, 2026. The policies promote a more transparent, accountable and responsive environment for NGOs and strengthen the management of foreign donations.
NGOAB Online Solution: ISPAT supported NGOAB in developing this digital platform, a major step toward transparent, technology-driven governance. It connects NGO representatives, government officials and policymakers in a single system, making their work easier and faster.
OBJECTIVE
The overall objective of the ISPAT project is to make NGOAB fully capable of providing fast, efficient and effective services to NGOs in managing foreign donations, and to support them in contributing to the attainment of the SDGs by 2030.
