আমাদের সম্পর্কে
Local since 1997. Trusted ever since.
Efforts for Rural Advancement (ERA) is a non-profit development and humanitarian organisation established in July 1997 by local social development workers in Sunamganj, northeast Bangladesh.
Our story
Born where the water rises first.
Sunamganj is a disaster-prone, low-lying region facing frequent flash floods, river erosion and poor infrastructure. It suffers from extreme poverty, low literacy, inadequate healthcare and limited access to safe water and sanitation. Women and landless families are the most vulnerable.
ERA was founded here, by people from here. For 27 years we have implemented integrated development programs focused on poverty reduction, disaster resilience and community empowerment, working with national and international partners who audit what they fund.
Our journey
27 years, marked by the water
Founded in July by local social development workers in Sunamganj
Registered with the Department of Social Welfare (Sunam-289/99)
Registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau (Reg. 2276)
Oxfam contingency stock positioned in Sunamganj for rapid response
Historic flash floods: emergency response with NRC, Oxfam and Muslim Charity
ToGETHER 2.0 launches: local leadership in humanitarian response
What drives us
Our vision
A sustainable, equitable society free from poverty, where all individuals enjoy dignity, opportunity and an improved quality of life.
Our mission
To empower disadvantaged people by securing rights, livelihoods, safe housing and disaster resilience through inclusive, gender-responsive and eco-friendly work.
Our goal
To strengthen vulnerable communities by developing their skills, using local resources and promoting equality for lasting social and economic improvement.
Key objectives
- Mobilize and organize rural poor women and men
- Establish deprived people's rights over local resources
- Generate income and employment through livelihood skills training and micro-finance
- Reduce disaster risk through life-skill development, mound protection and emergency response
- Improve health and nutrition through health education, health rights and disease-prevention awareness
- Improve the haor environment through education on sustainability, waste management, tree plantation and open-water fisheries
- Reduce illiteracy through non-formal and adult education
Our values
ERA works in 7 program areas across the haor upazilas of Sunamganj: Sadar, Biswambharpur, Tahirpur, Dowarabazar, Chhatak and Dharmapasha, with partner-supported work in 64 districts.
Leadership
The team on the ground
ERA is led and staffed by people who live where they work, guided by an elected Executive Committee under Executive Director Fahmida Akther.
Executive Committee
Leads ERA's secretariat and field operations, reporting to the elected Executive Committee.
Governance & accountability
Built to be checked.
ERA answers to an elected Executive Committee, to the regulators we are registered with, and to the communities we serve. The paperwork is public on purpose.
Safeguarding & SHEA
Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse. Every staff member, volunteer and contractor signs and is trained on the policy; incidents are reportable directly to the Executive Committee.
Financial transparency
Accounts audited annually and shared with donors including Oxfam, Malteser International and Plan International. Annual reports and financial overviews are published on this site.
Community feedback
A complaint and feedback mechanism runs in every working upazila, with a dedicated phone line and box system, so the people we serve can hold us to account.
Images of our work
The haor, through our lens
27 years of audited, partnered work. See it for yourself.
Every project, its donor, its district and its duration, in the open.
Explore our projects