BRAC
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BRAC: Building a World of Opportunity and Empowerment
Introduction
BRAC, formerly known as the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, is one of the largest non-governmental development organizations in the world. Founded in 1972 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed in the aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War, BRAC has grown from a small-scale relief effort in a remote village to a global movement tackling poverty, inequality, and social injustice. It is known for pioneering innovative, community-based approaches to development and has influenced the work of NGOs worldwide.
With a focus on empowering the poor, especially women and children, BRAC operates in areas such as education, health, microfinance, agriculture, social enterprise, and humanitarian relief. It combines grassroots participation with scalable solutions, ensuring that the people it serves are not merely beneficiaries but active agents of change in their own lives.
Chapter 1: Origins and Vision
The story of BRAC begins in 1972, just after Bangladesh emerged from a brutal war for independence. The newly independent nation was grappling with widespread poverty, hunger, and displacement. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, a former executive in the corporate sector, left his job and returned to Bangladesh from the United Kingdom to contribute to the rebuilding process. What began as a small relief effort in Sulla, Sylhet, soon evolved into a long-term commitment to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
BRAC’s vision was clear: to empower the marginalized through a holistic and integrated approach to development. Its early activities included providing emergency relief, housing, healthcare, and income-generating support. But Abed quickly realized that sustainable change required more than relief — it demanded systemic transformation.
BRAC adopted a participatory development approach, engaging local communities, especially women, in identifying problems and designing solutions. This model became the cornerstone of BRAC’s strategy and was instrumental in scaling its programs across the country.
Chapter 2: Core Principles
BRAC’s work is guided by several core principles:
- Empowerment: At the heart of BRAC’s philosophy is the belief that the poor can be the primary agents of their own development when given access to the right tools, knowledge, and opportunities.
- Community Participation: BRAC places communities at the center of its programs. Local input ensures that interventions are culturally appropriate and sustainable.
- Integrated Development: Poverty is multidimensional, and BRAC’s response is holistic. From health and education to finance and agriculture, its programs address multiple aspects of poverty simultaneously.
- Innovation and Learning: BRAC is known for its adaptive and evidence-based approach. It continually tests new ideas, learns from experiences, and refines its strategies.
- Scalability: One of BRAC’s distinguishing features is its ability to scale successful models rapidly. Many of its innovations, such as its education and microfinance models, have been replicated nationally and internationally.
Chapter 3: Major Programs in Bangladesh
BRAC’s flagship programs in Bangladesh span a wide array of sectors. Here’s a closer look at some of the most significant:
- Education
BRAC’s education program is one of the largest private secular education systems in the world. Launched in 1985, the Non-Formal Primary Education (NFPE) initiative provided second-chance education to millions of out-of-school children, particularly girls.
Key features include:
- One-room schools with a single teacher.
- Tailored curriculum aligned with government standards.
- Emphasis on participatory learning.
- Special focus on girls’ education and marginalized communities.
BRAC has also expanded into secondary and higher education. The BRAC University, established in 2001, is a leading private university in Bangladesh, fostering innovation and research across various disciplines.
- Health and Nutrition
BRAC’s health program focuses on preventive, curative, and promotive care. It deploys an army of community health workers known as Shasthya Shebikas, who provide essential healthcare services at the grassroots level.
Notable achievements include:
- Reduction in child mortality through widespread use of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS).
- Tuberculosis control through DOTS strategy.
- Maternal health and nutrition programs.
- Mobile health clinics and telemedicine services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, BRAC played a critical role in awareness-raising, testing, and vaccine distribution, showing its agility in responding to emergencies.
- Microfinance
One of BRAC’s earliest and most successful innovations is its microfinance program. Launched in 1974, it provides small loans to poor women to start or expand small businesses.
BRAC’s microfinance features:
- Group-based lending models to ensure accountability.
- Products tailored for ultra-poor, small entrepreneurs, and agricultural workers.
- Integration with other services like savings, insurance, and financial literacy.
By the 2020s, BRAC’s microfinance program had reached over 8 million clients in Bangladesh alone, significantly improving financial inclusion.
- Ultra-Poor Graduation Program
A pioneering model that has gained global recognition, the Graduation approach addresses the needs of the ultra-poor — those living on less than $1.25/day — who are often excluded from traditional development programs.
Key components:
- Asset transfers (e.g., livestock).
- Livelihood training and support.
- Stipends to cover basic needs.
- Health services and social integration.
This model has been adopted by governments and NGOs worldwide and validated by rigorous impact evaluations.
- Agriculture and Food Security
BRAC works to improve food security through agricultural innovation, extension services, and value chain development.
- Research and development in high-yield crop varieties.
- Livestock and poultry programs.
- Access to markets and fair pricing for farmers.
- Climate-resilient agriculture strategies.
Its agricultural enterprises also generate revenue to sustain BRAC’s development work.
Chapter 4: BRAC Social Enterprises
BRAC’s unique model includes a portfolio of social enterprises that operate commercially but reinvest profits into development programs. These enterprises include:
- BRAC Dairy: Supports smallholder farmers and provides affordable dairy products.
- Aarong: A leading lifestyle brand that promotes traditional crafts and provides livelihoods to artisans.
- Seed and Agro Enterprises: Supply high-quality seeds and tools to farmers.
- BRAC Bank: A full-service bank focused on financial inclusion and SME financing.
By integrating enterprise with development, BRAC ensures financial sustainability and promotes ethical business practices.
Chapter 5: Global Expansion
Recognizing that poverty is not unique to Bangladesh, BRAC began expanding internationally in the early 2000s. Today, BRAC operates in countries across Asia and Africa, adapting its models to local contexts.
Some countries where BRAC has a presence:
- Afghanistan: Education, health, and microfinance.
- Sierra Leone and Liberia: Ebola response and health services.
- Uganda and Tanzania: Agriculture, youth empowerment, and microfinance.
- Philippines and Myanmar: Education and humanitarian programs.
- Rwanda and South Sudan: Health and livelihood initiatives.
In each country, BRAC partners with local communities and governments to deliver high-impact programs.
Chapter 6: Research and Innovation
BRAC’s commitment to evidence-based development is embodied in its research wing, the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), and its Impact Assessment Unit. These units conduct rigorous evaluations, policy research, and operational studies to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
Some innovations that emerged from BRAC’s research include:
- Improved cookstoves for rural households.
- E-learning tools for education.
- Gender-sensitive development programming.
- Digital financial services.
BRAC also invests in technology, including mobile platforms, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, to enhance program delivery.
Chapter 7: Advocacy and Policy Influence
BRAC’s scale and credibility have allowed it to influence public policy both in Bangladesh and globally. It works closely with governments, UN agencies, and development partners to promote pro-poor policies.
Examples of policy engagement:
- Advocacy for universal access to primary education.
- Promotion of health financing reforms.
- Climate change adaptation policies.
- Women’s rights and child protection laws.
Through alliances like BRAC Global and BRAC International, it amplifies the voices of the poor in international development forums.
Chapter 8: Awards and Recognition
Over the years, BRAC has received numerous accolades for its pioneering work:
- Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize (2008): The world’s largest humanitarian award.
- World Bank Development Marketplace Award.
- NGO Advisor’s Top NGO in the World (several years).
- Sir Fazle Hasan Abed received multiple honors, including a knighthood from the British monarchy and the World Food Prize.
These recognitions underscore BRAC’s impact, innovation, and integrity.
Chapter 9: Challenges and Resilience
Like any large organization, BRAC has faced challenges:
- Navigating political sensitivities in different countries.
- Ensuring transparency in a vast operational network.
- Adapting to climate change and displacement.
- Managing transitions after the passing of its founder in 2019.
However, BRAC has demonstrated remarkable resilience, guided by strong leadership, institutional culture, and community trust.
Chapter 10: Future Outlook
As BRAC looks to the future, it is sharpening its focus on:
- Climate Resilience**: Supporting vulnerable communities in adapting to climate shocks.
- Youth Empowerment**: Skills training, entrepreneurship, and digital access for young people.
- Gender Equality**: Ending violence against women and promoting leadership.
- Humanitarian Action**: Responding to crises like the Rohingya refugee influx.
- Digital Transformation**: Leveraging technology for greater inclusion and efficiency.
Its 2030 strategy includes ambitious goals to lift millions more out of poverty while maintaining its core values of dignity, inclusion, and justice.
Conclusion
BRAC’s journey is a testament to what is possible when compassion meets innovation, and vision is backed by action. From the ashes of war to a global stage, BRAC has proven that development is most powerful when it is rooted in the realities of the poor, driven by their aspirations, and guided by evidence and empathy.
It stands not just as a development organization but as a symbol of hope — that poverty is not inevitable, that change is possible, and that a better world is within reach for all.
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