Women-led · Community-owned · Established October 2001
Communities already hold the strength to change their own lives.
DHARA works alongside women, young people and farming families across Bangladesh — in health, agriculture rehabilitation and inclusive livelihoods — using the SALT approach and the Community Life Competence Process to help communities recognise their own capacity and act on it.
Who we are
Twenty-five years of walking alongside communities
DHARA — Development of Health & Agriculture Rehabilitation Advancement — was established in October 2001 by a group of women who believed that the people closest to a problem are also closest to its solution. We do not arrive with a plan for a community; we appreciate, listen, learn and transfer, then support communities to dream, plan and act.
What we do
Four areas, one method
Mother & Child Healthcare
Antenatal and postnatal support, nutrition counselling, immunisation linkage and adolescent health awareness through community health volunteers.
Agriculture & Sustainable Livelihoods
Rehabilitating degraded land, climate-resilient cropping, homestead gardening and market linkage for smallholder and landless farming households.
Women & Youth Empowerment
Women's groups and youth forums, leadership and rights awareness, protection from gender-based violence, and pathways into decision-making.
Inclusive Livelihoods & CLCP
Income-generating skills training paired with the Community Life Competence Process, so new income rests on locally owned confidence and plans.
On the ground
Featured projects
Active
SOUL Project
A community-led initiative applying SALT and the Community Life Competence Process to strengthen local ownership of health and livelihood outcomes.
Active
Disability Development
Inclusive livelihoods, rehabilitation support and rights awareness for persons with disabilities and their families.
Ongoing
More Initiatives
From adequate housing to community development and education — explore the full portfolio of DHARA’s work.
Our reach
What community ownership adds up to
Figures below are placeholders — replace with your verified monitoring data.
In good company
Partners & donors
Partner with a community-led future
Whether you are a funder, a fellow organisation, a researcher or a volunteer — we would like to hear what brought you here.