Project Overview:
The Sustainable Waste Management Advancements Under Youth Leadership project is a key component of CYDO’s Clean Bagerhat Initiative, designed to improve urban waste management through youth-led action and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The project focuses on addressing long-standing waste management challenges in Bagerhat Municipality by combining field research, community engagement, and policy advocacy.
Supported by the GOLD Initiative and ActionAid Bangladesh, the project empowered young leaders with training, mentorship, and platforms to raise evidence-based concerns to local authorities. By positioning youth as active changemakers, the initiative promotes accountability, environmental responsibility, and sustainable urban development. It reflects CYDO’s broader commitment to creating a cleaner, healthier, and more climate-resilient Bagerhat.
Project Summary:
Bagerhat Municipality had been facing increasing waste management problems, including irregular waste collection, inadequate vehicles, poor monitoring, and limited safety measures for sanitation workers. As a result, waste often remained on streets and in drains, creating foul odors, environmental pollution, and serious public health risks. Under the Clean Bagerhat Initiative, CYDO mobilized youth leaders to conduct field surveys and identify root causes of the problem. Based on their findings, youth representatives organized advocacy meetings with municipal authorities, bazar committees, business leaders, and civil society actors. These dialogues emphasized practical, solution-oriented actions.
The advocacy efforts led to tangible improvements, including the allocation of 27 waste collection vans, 3 modern waste management trucks, and safety uniforms for sanitation workers. Municipal authorities also committed to stronger monitoring and more regular waste collection services. Through capacity-building support, mentorship from partner organizations, and collaboration with local stakeholders, the project has strengthened community participation in environmental governance. It has also demonstrated that youth-led advocacy can influence public service delivery and drive visible change.
Overall, this project contributes to reduced pollution, improved public health conditions, and a more efficient waste management system in Bagerhat. It stands as a strong example of how youth leadership, partnerships, and evidence-based advocacy can advance sustainable urban development and environmental protection.
