Feminist Opportunities Now Project Concluded in Bangladesh
Stakeholders at a Dhaka meeting highlighted the success of a four-year initiative supporting gender advocacy.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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The Feminist Opportunities Now project has concluded after a four-year run providing support to feminist organizations across South Asia. A final capitalization dissemination meeting was held in Dhaka to review the impacts of the initiative on gender-based violence and justice access.
Why it matters
The project shifted from conventional output-driven grants toward a flexible, trust-based funding model to better serve grassroots groups. Participants now advocate for sustained financial support to ensure this work continues beyond the project cycle.
The initiative supported more than 20 partner organizations in Bangladesh and 23 organizations in Sri Lanka over its four-year duration. Funding was provided by the Agence Française de Développement.
The players
Agence Française de Développement
This public financial institution implements the development policy of the French government and provided the funding for the project.
CREA
This international feminist human rights organization led the project consortium in South Asia.
The details
The program, led by the consortium CREA, prioritized grassroots advocacy on gender-based violence and access to justice. Five participating organizations presented their outcomes during the Dhaka meeting to demonstrate the efficacy of trust-based financial models.
Timeline
The FON Bangladesh Capitalization Dissemination Meeting occurred on September 26, 2026.
Culture Shift
This project exemplifies the move toward trust-based philanthropy, which prioritizes flexible funding over rigid output requirements. It reflects a broader shift in how international agencies support grassroots organizations by centering local expertise and long-term sustainability.
The project’s conclusion signals a transition for grassroots groups in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as they seek new funding avenues to maintain their operations. This shift may directly affect the availability and reach of local services dedicated to addressing gender-based violence.
The takeaway
The successful implementation of trust-based funding shows that flexible resources can empower grassroots organizations to achieve complex social goals. Sustaining these efforts requires a departure from traditional grant metrics toward models that prioritize local institutional durability.
Further reading
For more information on similar advocacy initiatives, visit the Women’s Issues section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bdnews24.
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