Global fund in offing

Around 70 nations, including Bangladesh, are set to form a “Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund” (GCERF) by mid-2014 in Geneva to strengthen public and private grassroots organisations and tackle violent extremist elements and militancy.
GCERF plans to accumulate over the next 10 years more than $200 million, of which Bangladesh is expected to receive around $50 million as grant, stated a four-member Bangladesh delegation led by Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque.
Bangladesh, fulfilling almost all criteria, also indicated an interest in serving as a GCERF “pilot” country in line with its “zero tolerance policy” towards terrorist acts and its engagements with international efforts to counter terrorism and extremism, they said.
The delegation attended the final Steering Group meeting in Washington DC on February 20 where the decision to form GCERF was taken.
Some 70 officials and experts from over 35 governments, the European Union, United Nations, World Bank, non-government organisations, private sector entities and foundations met to review and refine GCERF's mandate and organisational structure.
The GCERF will be the first global effort to harness the skills, capabilities and resources of public and private sectors to strengthen resilience against violent extremist agendas which can significantly bar political and economic development.
It will provide grants to grassroots organisations for community-based projects on education, vocational training, civic engagement, media, and women's advocacy.
Several countries already pledged financial contributions while some multinational companies and foundations showed strong interest in contributing expertise and resources.