Take CSR to the grassroots
Speakers at an online discussion recommended Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives embrace a grassroots approach to make their interventions more effective and sustainable.
The event titled 'CSR Dialogue: Barishal' was held on August 27, 2022. It was part of a joint initiative of The Daily Star and CSR Window known as "A Better Tomorrow: CSR Summit and Awards". The annual nationwide programme aims to create dialogues for future development and sustainability solutions and recognise corporations for their innovative and world-class CSR initiatives, social projects and programmes implemented for sustainable impacts on society.
Sadia Jafrin, founder & CEO of Grow Your Reader, talked about her initiative 'Wheels of Wisdom'. During the Covid-19 pandemic, her organisation provided books and mobile hotspots to students in rural communities to support continued learning. Currently, they are working in several districts including Barishal. She sought support from both public and private institutions to carry forward the effort.
Khandokar Nafis Jaman, the founder of Algorithm Hub, shared how his organization has been helping young students in rural areas to learn coding through games. "If we get proper platform and support, we will be able to create many skilled coders," added Nafis.
Professor Shah Sajeda, Editor of the Barishal-based daily Dainik Shahnama, opined that young rural entrepreneurs should be provided training and financial support through CSR projects. Corporate organisations, she added, should also work for the revival of traditional crafts, and provide support to rural small enterprises.
Ankit Sureka, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd., shared that they, in collaboration with UCEP, are providing free internet to 5,000 underprivileged children. He emphasised the importance of promoting digital literacy and showed eagerness to support such projects.
" Earlier it was difficult to find good projects to support through CSR. But the scenario has changed now. A large number of innovative and sustainable initiatives are now coming up," said Mohammed Tariqul Islam, Chief HR & Corporate Communication Officer at Confidence Group. In partnership with various local organisations, Confidence Group has been working to provide educational support to underprivileged children, added Tariqul. He, however, pointed out that corporate organisations don't have adequate human resources to find out grassroots initiatives and engage with them.
Md Shah-e Alam, Member of Parliament, Barishal-2, said that CSR initiatives mainly focus on urban areas. He urged corporate organizations to work at the grassroots level in partnership with the government. The government should also provide support to these organisations to carry forward their CSR initiatives, he opined.
The session was moderated by Ahsan Rony, Founder, Green Savers.
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