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Open Call: DRIP Bangladesh Empowering Women Through Storytelling

Deadline: 11-Dec-2025

UN Women, in partnership with UNDP and SDC, is implementing the “Democratic Reform through Inclusive Participation” (DRIP) project in Bangladesh to promote inclusive democratic practices. The initiative focuses on empowering women, youth, and socially excluded groups to participate in politics and governance through research, advocacy, and a feminist storytelling campaign.

Project Overview

The DRIP project aims to strengthen democratic participation and electoral inclusivity in Bangladesh by elevating the voices of women, youth, and marginalized communities. It combines research, advocacy, and community engagement to address social norms and systemic barriers that limit meaningful political participation.

Implementation Period: 1 February 2025 – 30 November 2026
Budget: 1.21–1.45 crore BDT (~100,000–120,000 USD)
Partners: UN Women, UNDP, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Responsible Party: A civil society organization, preferably a women’s rights organization

Key Objectives

The DRIP project focuses on three core objectives:

  1. Enhancing Social-Emotional Capacities

    • Strengthen critical speaking, listening, and narrative skills

    • Enable women to participate meaningfully in political and governance processes

  2. Empowering Advocacy and Storytelling

    • Equip women leaders to share personal and political stories

    • Build advocacy skills to influence decision-making and public discourse

  3. Amplifying Voices through Art and Media

    • Engage 10 artists and diverse art forms to highlight women’s experiences

    • Use storytelling to influence policy, media coverage, and societal attitudes

Target Groups and Engagement

  • Women Political Leaders: 40–45 participants from eight districts, including socially excluded groups

  • Artists: 10 participants to support storytelling and advocacy initiatives

  • Other Beneficiaries: Policymakers, civil society, and the general public reached through campaigns, workshops, and media

Strategic Focus Areas

  • Research and Evidence Generation: Identify barriers to women’s political participation and create evidence-based strategies

  • Norms and Practice Transformation: Address cultural and institutional practices that hinder inclusion

  • Advocacy and Awareness: Align campaigns with CEDAW, UNSCR 1325, and Women, Peace, and Security frameworks

  • Capacity Building: Strengthen leadership, narrative, and advocacy skills for direct impact on political engagement

Implementation Approach

  • Conduct workshops, public awareness campaigns, and media engagement

  • Collaborate with local communities to document lived experiences of women leaders

  • Integrate storytelling and art to amplify marginalized voices in policymaking and public discourse

  • Support women leaders to translate personal narratives into actionable advocacy strategies

Expected Outcomes

  • Increased meaningful participation of women, especially from marginalized groups, in local politics

  • Enhanced social-emotional and advocacy capacities of participating women leaders

  • Amplified public discourse on women’s political participation through art and storytelling

  • Evidence-based recommendations for policy reform and inclusive governance practices

Eligibility for Implementation Partners

  • Legally registered civil society organizations in Bangladesh

  • Experience in women’s rights, political participation, or social inclusion initiatives

  • Capacity to engage local leaders, artists, and communities across eight districts

Why It Matters

The DRIP project addresses persistent gender and social inequalities in political participation. By combining leadership training, storytelling, and advocacy, it seeks to create a sustainable and inclusive democratic culture in Bangladesh. Empowered women leaders can influence policies, transform social norms, and inspire broader community engagement.

FAQ

1. Who can implement the project?
Registered civil society organizations in Bangladesh, preferably focusing on women’s rights and political participation.

2. Who are the direct beneficiaries?
40–45 women leaders from eight districts and 10 artists, with indirect impact on policymakers, civil society, and the general public.

3. What is the duration and budget of the project?
Ten months, from 1 February 2025 to 30 November 2026, with a budget of approximately 1.21–1.45 crore BDT (~100,000–120,000 USD).

4. What are the main activities?
Workshops, public awareness campaigns, media engagement, feminist storytelling, advocacy, and capacity building.

5. How will storytelling be used?
To amplify women’s experiences and challenges in politics, engage the public, and influence policy and societal norms.

6. Which frameworks guide the project?
CEDAW, UNSCR 1325, and Women, Peace, and Security resolutions.

Conclusion

The DRIP project represents a strategic effort to transform Bangladesh’s democratic processes by empowering women, youth, and marginalized groups. By combining research, advocacy, and storytelling, it strengthens inclusive governance, amplifies women’s leadership, and fosters systemic change for sustainable democratic participation.

For more information, visit UN Women.