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World Bank Helps 900,000 Rural Youth in Bangladesh with Better Employability and Entrepreneurial Opportunities

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The government of Bangladesh and the World Bank today signed a $300 million financing agreement to equip about 900,000 economically disengaged rural youth with skills and alternative education needed for employment and entrepreneurship. About 60 percent of them will be female.

The Economic Acceleration and Resilience for NEET (EARN) Project will help overcome barriers that prevent disadvantaged and vulnerable youth from gaining education and employment. It will provide skills training, alternative education, employment, and entrepreneurial support to rural youth who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The project will establish vocational training centers to offer a range of skills development opportunities and provide online and offline training courses in market-driven and futuristic trades. They will be in locations convenient to rural youth, especially female. It will also and offer competitive financing and mentorship support for entrepreneurial activities. It will help secondary school dropouts, particularly female students to complete vocational secondary education. 

“The youth are the future of any country. Creating a well-equipped competitive workforce, where no young person is excluded, is a critical development priority for Bangladesh,” said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan“The project will help develop a competitive workforce through skill development, continuity of education, and employment opportunities while addressing underlying cultural and social norms that drive exclusion, particularly for women, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities.”

In Bangladesh, about 27 percent of youth that is about 12.6 million people are classified as NEET. About 90 percent of them are female, mostly living in rural areas. To enhance their employability, the project will offer skills development training for a wide range of market-relevant trades with an emphasize on modern and non-traditional trades, especially for women.

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For secondary school dropped-out youth and adolescents, the project will provide access to Bangladesh Open University education programs through an accelerated curriculum. They will be able to access diploma-level technical education in fields such as nursing, medical technology, agricultural food processing and other courses. To support entrepreneurship, the project will provide seed financing, mentorship, and other relevant supports to the new entrepreneurs. 

 “The government placed high priority on economically engaging the youth, particularly female and disadvantaged ones, who are not in education or employment through skill development,” said Sharifa Khan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Government of Bangladesh“This project is aligned with the Eighth Five-Year Plan 2021-2025 and support the country’s graduation from LDC status in 2026 and the vision 2041. It will support the government plans and policies by establishing a comprehensive support mechanism for economic engagement of the rural NEET youth, including the persons with disabilities, and segment of the population with special needs, which is essential.”

To create a supportive environment for youth to participate in skill development activities, the project will launch communications and awareness-raising campaigns and involve the communities in planning and monitoring the project activities. It will also provide incentives in terms of stipend, examination fees, and textbooks to motivate the youth, especially women. It will also promote sports and cultural activities and provide psychosocial support to youth.

The agreement was signed by Sharifa Khan and Abdoulaye Seck on behalf of the Government and the World Bank, respectively. 

The concessional credit is from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and has a 30-year term, including a five-year grace period. 

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Bangladesh currently has the largest ongoing IDA program totaling $15.86billion. The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh and has committed about $40 billion in grants, interest-free and concessional credits to the country since its independence.

Youth

Dhaka Flow inaugurates ‘Transformation’ At Dutch Embassy

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The Transformation: Art of Alchemy exhibition was officially inaugurated on Wednesday at the Residence Gallery of the Dutch Embassy.

Guests explored evocative works by featured artists Vinita Karim, Rokeya Sultana, Asma Akber, Abdus Shakoor, Proshanta Karmakar Buddha, Biplob Chakraborty, and Ranjit Das.

The exhibition space allowed for meaningful dialogue on the transformative power of art in healing and wellbeing.

“Community healing begins with the shared processing of grief, joy, confusion, and hope,” said Shazia Omar, founder and CEO of Dhaka Flow.

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“Through this visual exhibition and our workshops, we wanted to curate a multi-dimensional experience that highlighted the importance of shared creative expression in community healing.”

“Transformation: Art of Alchemy” was a powerful step forward in Dhaka Flow’s mission to create spaces where art and wellness intersect.

As we look ahead, we are committed to deepening this work—especially by uplifting emerging and youth artists across Bangladesh. Our vision is to keep expanding opportunities for shared creative expression, and to continue exploring the ways art and community can support collective wellbeing.

Alongside the artwork, Dhaka Flow has conducted a breathwork—meditation session in the space, with another one coming up soon.

They are also hosting three art workshops at the Dhaka Flow studio, and attendees are invited to sign up using the link below.

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The Dhaka Flow team was present to greet visitors and share their vision for more events that celebrate artists and create space for transformation through movement, breath, and art.

In August, the space will host another exhibition presenting youth artwork from around the country.

The exhibition remains open until the end of July, and paintings can be viewed every Saturday from 12–5pm by appointment only.

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Mystery at the Station: Youth Who Attacked ASI Found Dead in Pond Near Gaibandha Police

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A bizarre and chilling chain of events unfolded at Saghata Police Station in Gaibandha, leaving a community in shock and a mystery in its wake. A young man who had barged into the station, attempted to snatch a rifle, and stabbed an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), was found dead in a nearby pond early Friday morning.

The drama began around 10:00 PM on Thursday, when the unidentified youth, believed to be in his late twenties, entered the police station claiming he wanted to file a complaint. Things quickly escalated. According to police and eyewitnesses, an argument broke out when the computer operator asked the youth to write down the complaint himself and bring it in.

Suddenly, the youth lunged at a constable, trying to grab his rifle. In the chaos that followed, ASI Mohsin Mia and others rushed in to stop him. A scuffle broke out, and the youth managed to stab ASI Mohsin before fleeing into the night.

As it happened, a local arbitration meeting was being held right outside the station. Locals and police joined forces in hot pursuit. Moments later, the youth was seen diving into the pond beside Saghata Pilot High School, trying to hide under thick water hyacinths.

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The area was cordoned off, and police kept vigil overnight. Locals eventually went home. But when dawn broke, the Fire Service recovered the youth’s lifeless body from the pond. Whether he drowned or succumbed to other causes is still unknown. His body was taken to the station and later sent to Gaibandha General Hospital for an autopsy.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Officer-in-Charge Badsha Alam confirmed the incident, saying:

“We cannot confirm the cause of death until we receive the post-mortem report. A legal investigation is underway, and we are working to identify the individual.”

He added that ASI Mohsin suffered injuries to his hand and forehead and was treated at Saghata Upazila Health Complex. A formal briefing on the incident is expected soon.

One eyewitness, Abdullah Mondal, recounted the surreal scene:

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“There was a loud commotion, and then I saw this unknown young man running like his life depended on it, with cops and locals behind him. Then—splash—he dove into the pond. But after that… nothing.”

As authorities dig into the circumstances surrounding this strange encounter, one question lingers in the air: Who was he, and what drove him to charge into a police station with chaos in his eyes and a knife in his hand?

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Youth

Words That Win: Global Spell Bee 2025 National Final Wraps Up at North South University

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The air at North South University buzzed with brains and big dreams as the national finale of Global Spell Bee 2025 reached its crescendo. Students from across the country battled it out with syllables and synonyms, showing off not just stellar spelling skills but razor-sharp thinking and academic brilliance.

Organised by EduPro Concepts BD Ltd. in collaboration with GateKeepr and Help the Future, and proudly hosted by the North South University Debate Club, this event wasn’t just a spelling showdown—it was a stage where young minds from grades 4 to 12 danced with words, discovered their potential, and learned to roar (politely, of course) in perfect English.

The event is a part of the internationally recognized Global Spell Bee, and the stakes were sky-high. Winners from this round will pack their dictionaries and dreams for Dubai this October, where they’ll go head-to-head with contestants from nearly 50 countries for a shot at global recognition—and one life-changing educational journey.

The grand finale drew in an impressive crowd of guests and dignitaries. Chief Guest Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU and Chairman of Grameen Bank, lit up the stage with encouragement:

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“Competitions like the Global Spell Bee help students become smarter, more confident, and better at expressing their thoughts. The moment you stepped in and competed, you already won.”

Stephen Forbes, Country Director of the British Council Bangladesh, chimed in with wise words wrapped in inspiration:

“Education gives you choices. The more you learn, the more life brings you options.”

Also present was Mohammad Inzamul Haque, Assistant Personal Secretary to the Education Adviser at the Ministry of Education, who praised the competition for going beyond grades and grammar:

“It builds confidence, discipline, and communication—skills that are essential for the world these students are stepping into.”

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The competition itself? Oh, it was fierce. It had everything—from intense written and oral rounds to workshops, mentorship marathons, and plenty of “spell-offs.” Contestants had access to premium vocabulary resources and coaching that leveled up their comprehension and communication game.

In the senior category, the finale was so tight, it needed a tiebreaker—because apparently, excellence decided to show up twice. Eventually, Nabiha Tahseen Nubah from Sunnydale School claimed the crown. Over in the junior category, Ibnat Namira Ahmed from Summerfield International School stole the spotlight.

Every participant walked away with medals and certificates, but more than that—they carried home confidence, connections, and a renewed love for learning.

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Editor : Jashim Uddin ; Publisher: Rafiqul Alam Address: Bengal Centre (6th floor), 28 Topkhana Road, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Ph :+8802-7124586 e-mail:dailyfrontlinebd@gmail.com Copyright © 2020 Daily Frontline. Bangladesh Independent Daily.