Unnayan Dhara (UD) is a non-governmental voluntary development organization established in 1992 by a group of social activists. Its vision is to contribute to a peaceful and just society in Bangladesh where all people enjoy poverty-free, happy, prosperous and dignified lives.
Since its inception, UD has worked to promote participatory development and social structural change towards equal rights and sustainable livelihoods for poor, marginal and underprivileged people. The organization was registered with the Department of Social Services in 1993 and the NGO Affairs Bureau in 1997.
The organization's activities focus on the sustainable development of rural poor people, especially marginalized farmers, through sustainable agriculture and organic farming. Farmers' rights and gender equity are central to its development interventions. Food security, food sovereignty and the right to food in the face of climate change are also major policy advocacy priorities.
UD was inspired by the spirit of Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971 and the principles of equality and social justice expressed in the country's first constitution. Its founder, Talib Bashar (Nayan), learned about the harmful effects of chemical agriculture and the benefits of organic farming through agricultural articles encountered while working as a news editor. Sustainable agriculture consequently became a core program of the organization.
Vision
A peaceful and just society in Bangladesh where all people enjoy poverty-free, happy, prosperous and dignified lives.
Mission
To create a process of participatory development and social structural change towards equal rights and sustainable livelihoods for poor, marginal and underprivileged people.
Goal
Empowerment and sustainable development of poor, marginal and underprivileged people in Bangladesh.
Major Target Groups
Rural farming families, particularly landless, marginal and small farmers; persons with disabilities; women; children; indigenous communities; and other disadvantaged people.