Transforming Smaller Urban Centres through Local Economic Development

At the World Urban Forum 12 Egypt in Cairo, hosted by the UN-Habitat, PRABRIDDHI project showcased its “Bangla Local Economic Development (LED) Model” highlighting the power of decentralised urban governance to empower secondary cities and drive resilient communities. Jointly funded by the Governments of Bangladesh and Switzerland, and co-implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swisscontact, the project introduced the transformative “Bangla Model” that prioritises sustainable growth and inclusive governance in secondary cities. This initiative showcases how the LED model can be adapted globally for sustainable urban development. “Even with limited resources, much can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together and plan accordingly.” Markus Ehmann, Team Leader of PRABRIDDHI The potential of secondary cities – empowering regional urban centres for balanced growth In Bangladesh, cities like Bogura and Jashore are key examples of secondary cities with vast potential. Secondary cities refer to smaller urban centers outside of the main metropolitan or capital city. These cities are often regional hubs that serve as important links between rural areas and larger economic centres, playing a critical role in national economic networks. However, secondary cities frequently receive less attention and fewer resources compared to major urban centres, leaving them with limited infrastructure, services, and development support.   By focusing on these cities, initiatives such as the PRABRIDDHI project support balanced urbanisation, addressing the unique social and economic needs of these communities. This approach enables localised development that not only strengthens the economies of these smaller cities but also reduces over-reliance on larger cities like Dhaka. By empowering secondary cities, PRABRIDDHI aims to decentralise growth, enhance regional equity, and create resilient urban communities that contribute to the broader national economy. The session on “Sustaining Local Economic Development in Secondary Cities,” was opened by an inspiring welcome address by Ms. Valérie Liechti, Head of International Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Egypt, that set the stage for a dynamic discussion on local economic growth. “In many countries and municipalities, numerous revenue streams remain underutilised, despite a wealth of opportunity. Unlocking these streams requires capacity-building, and we can look to examples in Bangladesh, where municipalities have implemented reforms and are reinvesting generated revenues into local economic development.” Ms. Valérie Liechti, Head of International Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Egypt “After overcoming the setbacks of past challenges, the government is committed to driving local economic development in secondary cities through initiatives such as PRABRIDDHI. These efforts are laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth, and as a government, we are committed to expanding these models to ensure the long-term resilience of our cities and the nation as a whole.” Mr. Mohammad Mahbubul Haque, Joint Secretary of the Urban Development 2 Branch of the LGD, under MoLGRD&C, and Project Director of PRABRIDDHI Through collaborative, locally driven solutions, PRABRIDDHI is helping secondary cities build sustainable economic foundations while addressing challenges like unemployment and inequality. These efforts align with global development goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Collection of case studies Introducing a method for LED requires convincing stakeholders, achieving quick wins, and ensuring long-term progress. To succeed, it is essential to engage municipalities and decision-makers while also forming new governance structures that support local economic growth.  This booklet presents seven examples of local initiatives that have transformed economies in secondary cities with no prior experience or knowledge of LED.   These cases are drawn from Bangladesh, a rapidly growing and densely populated country. In each example, the cities faced limited resources, struggling to pay salaries and provide basic services. Despite these challenges, over just five years, 58 LED initiatives have been implemented, significantly impacting service delivery, employment, quality of work, and local entrepreneurship. Each case highlights how urgent urban economic challenges were tackled head-on. Together, they reveal seven secrets for success. Download Brochure: Impact Inspirations – Local Economic Development in Secondary Cities in Bangladesh

MAB held Virtual Platform and Digital Capacity Building Training and an Inaugural Ceremony for Municipal Officials at Hotel Amari on 26/06/2024.

The Municipal Association of Bangladesh (MAB), in collaboration with the PRABRIDDHI – Local Economic Development (LED) project, funded by the Governments of Bangladesh and Switzerland, co-implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swisscontact, successfully launched its revamped Virtual Platform to foster local economic development and showcase the best practices for municipal development in Bangladesh. Mr. Md Tazul Islam MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Co-operatives launched the virtual platform at Hotel Amari on 2 June 2024. The virtual platform aims to enhance the outreach of the Municipal Association of Bangladesh and promote the Local Economic Development (LED) model in the country. It connects 329 municipalities through a redesigned website, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter. This initiative will help scale the Local Economic Development approach to other prospective municipalities and contribute to national development goals, including achieving Upper-Middle Income status and creating a Smart Bangladesh. Following the launch of the virtual platform, the minister also inaugurated a three-day Digital Capacity Building Training for 40 municipal staff members to equip them with the digital literacy needed to utilize the virtual platform effectively. Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Mr. Md Tazul Islam MP, Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Co-operatives said, “In alignment with the “Smart Bangladesh” vision, MAB – an umbrella organization for 329 municipalities – is enhancing its digital presence and outreach with the support of the PRABRIDDHI project. This newly designed virtual platform enables all municipalities in the country to easily connect, share their local economic development activities with the public, and draw inspiration from each other to implement similar initiatives in their own areas. Consequently, the local economic development process will further accelerate”. “On this occasion, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Switzerland, a long-standing friend of Bangladesh for their continued support towards the development of the country. I also want to thank Swisscontact, which, under the leadership of the Local Government Division, is implementing these timely initiatives through the PRABRIDDHI project,” he added. Special guest Mr. AHM Kamruzzaman, Additional Secretary (urban wing), Local Government Division, remarked ” The core approach of the PRABRIDDHI project, which aims to achieve economic development at the local level in alignment with the Eighth Five-Year Plan and Vision 2041, is something we hope to gradually implement in all municipalities under the supervision of the Local Government Division. We have already witnessed the success of this project. If it continues in the long term, we can expect a lasting impact on the country’s economy. Thus, I urge the government of Switzerland to continue its support. As the unified organization of municipalities in Bangladesh, MAB must play a significant role in local economic development. I hope that through this virtual platform, MAB will be able to disseminate the activities and success stories related to the PRABRIDDHI project and local economic development to all municipalities across the country.” Special guest Mr. Md. Kamal Hossain, Joint Secretary, Local Government Division and Project Director, PRABRIDDHI remarked,” In order to establish area-based development, fostering opportunities for private investment in urban areas, establishing conducive business environments, and strengthening the capabilities of local government institutions are imperative. The “PRABRIDDHI” project, focused on local economic development, emerges as a novel initiative to promote economic progress at the municipal level. I anticipate that through this innovative virtual platform, MAB will effectively disseminate activities and success stories pertaining to local economic development to all municipalities nationwide. Consequently, development will be realized incrementally in every corner of the country.” Mr. Nadim Rahman, Senior Programme Officer, the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh stated, “Switzerland is proud to support MAB in launching this innovative virtual platform through the PRABRIDDHI project. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to fostering local economic development and enhancing the capabilities of municipalities across Bangladesh. By facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration, we aim to empower local governments to drive sustainable growth and create more resilient communities. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact this platform will have on the country’s economic development,”. “I am honored to be part of this momentous occasion. The launch of this virtual platform represents a leap forward in our mission to promote local economic development and showcase the remarkable achievements of municipalities in Bangladesh. By providing a forum for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, MAB expects to accelerate the pace of development and create a brighter future for all residents. Together, we can build stronger, more resilient municipalities that thrive in the face of challenges and seize opportunities for growth and prosperity.”, stated Mr. Dewan Kamal Ahmed, President, MAB and Mayor, Nilphamari Municipality. “I am thrilled to witness the launch of this innovative virtual platform, which marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to foster local economic development. Through this platform, MAB aims to empower municipalities across the country to share their experiences, best practices, and success stories, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of our nation. This initiative underscores our commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities and highlights the crucial role that local governments play in driving sustainable development.” mentioned Mr. Md. Khalid Hossain, Secretary General, Municipal Association of Bangladesh and Mayor, Madaripur Municipality. Mr. Markus Ehmann, Team Leader of PRABRIDDHI – Local Economic Development, Swisscontact further added “The PRABRIDDHI project, implemented by the LGD and Swisscontact, extends support to the municipalities of Bangladesh. Together with MAB, we want to improve the economic well-being of citizens of our partner municipalities. By enabling robust advocacy, peer exchange, and knowledge-sharing among municipalities, we are setting a new standard for collaborative growth. This platform will empower municipal leaders to implement innovative LED practices, fostering stronger, more resilient local economies”. Guests from the ministry, other municipalities, MAB and Swisscontact also graced the event. The event also featured a demonstration of the redesigned website and other social media platforms. Additionally, the invited participants enjoyed a laser show. The PRABRIDDHI project, co-implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swisscontact, is currently being implemented in seven municipalities: Bogura,

A Consultation Workshop organized by ICLEI South Asia and MAB on 7th February 2024 as part of the disaster risk reduction program adopted by the United Nations

7th February 2024, Wednesday A Consultation Workshop organized by ICLEI South Asia and Municipal Association of Bangladesh-MAB was held at Nilphamari Municipality meeting room as part of the Disaster Risk Reduction Program adopted by the United Nations. Mr. The meeting was attended by Dewan Kamal Ahmed, President of Municipal Association of Bangladesh-MAB and Mayor of Nilphamari Municipality. ICLEI South Asia, Bangladesh Country Representative Ms. Jubaer Rashid, Project Officer Mr. Chaity Dev, Admin Finance Manager of MAB Mr. SM Abdur Rauf, UNDRR Master Trainer Md Hamidur Rahman and All councilors and officials of the municipality were present. Conducted by Mr. Md. Mosiur Rahman, Municipal Executive Officer, Nilphamari Municipality. 7 February 2024, Wednesday A consultation workshop organized by ICLEI South Asia and Municipal Association of Bangladesh-MAB was held at the meeting room of Nilphamari Municipality as part of the Disaster Risk Reduction Program adopted by the United Nations. The meeting was attended by Mr. Dewan Kamal Ahmed, President of Municipal Association of Bangladesh-MAB and Mayor of Nilphamari Municipality as the Chief Guest. ICLEI South Asia, Bangladesh Country Representative Mr. Zubair Rashid, Project Officer Ms. Chaiti Deb, MAB Admin Finance Manager Mr. SM Abdur Rauf, UNDRR Master Trainer Mr. Md. Hamidur Rahman Councilors and officials were present. The workshop was conducted by Mr. Moshiur Rahman, Municipal Executive Officer, Nilphamari Municipality.

SwissContact, a non-profit development organization based in Switzerland, and MAB, the representative organization of 329 municipalities in Bangladesh, have signed a partnership agreement for Virtual Platform Development. The agreement aims to transform MAB’s website and social media platforms into a knowledge sharing platform by upgrading and enriching them with information. A communication agency has already been hired for this purpose. A meeting to develop a work plan for the implementation of this program was held on 26 January 2024 at the SwissContact office in Dhaka.

A partnership agreement on Virtual Platform Development has been signed between Switzerland-based non-profit development organization SwissContact and Mab. Through this agreement, it will be established as a Knowledge Sharing Platform by improving the website and social communication platform of Mab, a single representative organization of 329 municipalities in Bangladesh. A communication agency has already been appointed for this purpose. The meeting regarding the implementation of the action plan for the implementation of this program was held today at the SwissContact office in Dhaka.

MoU signing with AIILSG, 7 December 2023 – Former President of MAB and Deputy Director General, AIILSG (GCoM South Asia Network Coordinator) signed an MoU on Dec 7, 2023 in Nepal

MoU signing with AIILSG, 7 December 2023 Mr. Dewan Kamal Ahmed, President, Municipal Association of Bangladesh-MAB and Mr. Ravi Ranjan Guru, Deputy Director General, AIILSG (GCoM South Asia Network Coordinator) signed an MoU on Dec 7, 2023 in Nepal. #GCoMSANepalWS#GCoMSouthAsiaWS#ClimateFinance

Former CEO of MAB, speaking as a panelist on Climate Action for Resilient Local Communities at the CLGF Congress held in Kigali, Rwanda from November 14-17, 2023

15 November 2023, Wednesday At the international conference held at CLGF Congress, Kigali, Rwanda, Mr. Parimal Kumar Dev, Chief Executive Officer of MAB, spoke on Climate Action for Resilient Local Communities as a panelist. This international conference will be held in South African country Rwanda from 14-17 November 2023. 15 November 2023, Wednesday Kigali, Rwanda. …

Captured in a photo frame with PRABRIDDHI project team leader Mr. Markus and his team members after introducing the new Public Relation officer (PRO) Ms. Zannatul Ferdous.

Captured in a photo frame with PRABRIDDHI project team leader Mr. Markus and his team members after introducing the new Public Relation officer (PRO) Ms. Zannatul Ferdous. Photo captured by Ms. Mahmuda Shikder, Communication and Logistics Officer of MAB. Swisscontact Office, Gulshan, Dhaka 1212 15 November 2023, Wednesday

Former President of MAB participated in the 2nd day of the event and gave a speech on creating networking events in a lively discussion session

2nd Day of the 9th UCLG ASPAC Congress! MAB President Mr. Dewan Kamal Ahmed participated in the 2nd day program and gave a speech on creating networking events in a lively discussion session. 14 November 2023, Tuesday, Yiwu, China

Former CEO of MAB, attended the Commonwealth Local Government (CLGF) Congress at Kigali Conference Center (KCC) Kigali, Rwanda

Mr. Parimal Kumar Dev, Chief Executive Officer of MAB, attended the Commonwealth Local Government (CLGF) Congress at Kigali Conference Center (KCC) Kigali, Rwanda. 2 participants, one Jamaican and the other Zambian, along with Mr Dev were captured on camera. 14 November 2023, Tuesday

Highlights from the panel discussion on Investing in Locally-Led Adaptation (LLA) for a bottom-up approach to urban resilience at #APUF8, #Suwon.

Highlights from the panel discussion on Investing in Locally-Led Adaptation (LLA) for a bottom-up approach to urban resilience at #APUF8, #Suwon. ICLEI World Secretariat United Nations ESCAP National Institute of Urban Affairs ICLEI South Asia – Bangladesh Climate and Development Knowledge Network