The 7^th Five Year Plan (2016-2021) of Bangladesh Government (GoB) expresses a need for institutional arrangements to oversee the progress of inclusive regional economic development and to formulate strategies, policies and programs towards equalizing growth within the country.’ Local Economic Development (LED) processes are of high interest and in line with the GoB strategic goals. LED is further coherent with the strategic objectives and themes spelled out in the ‘Federal Dispatch to the Swiss Parliament 2017-2020’ attributing important roles to local government institutions and private sector actors and calling for more Private-Public Development Partnerships (PPDPs).

The project is proposed to be structured around a two level, integrated intervention approach: it is envisaged to follow strictly a bottom up approach in the selected Local Economic Development (LED) territories while it will be anchored with a central agency for policy endorsement and support to develop the LED model for wider replication in Bangladesh. The impact of the LED Project will be that small and medium entrepreneurs, their employees, and citizens improve their income and wellbeing as a result of local inclusive economic growth, equitable employment creation and access to basic services. The four outcomes will be as follows:

1. At least, 100’000 women and men (50% women; 40% poor, out of whom 30% disadvantaged,) have productive wage or self-employment as result of additional private investment and economic activities at local level.
2. Public, private and civil society actors at local level work collectively to ensure basic services in order to create better conditions for inclusive economic growth and equitable employment creation.
3. Local Government Institutions (e. g municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Union Parishads) have higher revenues and increase expenditures for basic services.   
4. National policy and framework conditions support LED.

The LED project is proposed to be implemented in three phases over 12 years and with a total budget of CHF 24.1 million. Contributions from other donors along the process may be possible.

Phase 99 01.09.2025 - 30.09.2029   (Active)