World Concern Bangladesh Trust
Under the leadership of World Concern Bangladesh Trust (WCBT), microcredit programs were formed in 1993 to help poor and marginalized families support themselves with sustaining business enterprises. The people, mainly women, had skills, but no money to implement them. WCBT gave micro loans and taught the habit of saving to provide working capital for small and micro enterprises operated by the women. Currently the microcredit program is serving in 12 Districts through 29 portfolios.
Program Summary & Core Competencies
The WCBT microcredit program aims to increase financial inclusion for families living in extreme poverty. It not only provides access to money for women borrowers, but also creates opportunities to achieve economic and social empowerment within their homes and communities.
WCBT is a visible actor in the field of socio-economic transformation in both urban & rural areas of Bangladesh. Since 1993, WCBT has been working with poor and vulnerable people, especially women, to improve their socioeconomic status through delivering micro-credit programs in Bangladesh. The program has greatly contributed to increasing income and creating employment opportunities for poor women.
A number of microbusinesses have become small enterprises as a result of WCBT’s financial and technical support. Currently, the program is supporting approximately 25,811 women who are mostly businesswomen. The total loan outstanding is USD $4,293,303 and the repayment rate is close to 99% every year.
Preceding Background Projects
Women’s Empowerment for Self-Reliance in Greater Dhaka City and Barisal District is an urban intervention for women business entrepreneurs. The program began in July 1993 in Dhaka City and its periphery areas, and since 2013, has expanded to Barisal District. Many skilled and talented women lack the working capital needed to earn an income. This program builds a habit of savings among women and provides working capital for small and micro enterprises operated by them. The goal of this program is to strengthen the economic climate and well-being of the whole community by increasing the number of employment opportunities for women through creation and expansion of new businesses, to empower and free them from exploitation and help them become self-reliant through socio-economic transformation.
Sustainable Assistance For Rural Fish Farming & Small Entrepreneurs Development In Brahmanbaria District
Fish farmers own very few assets and are unable to access a fair and equitable credit system. They also have limited knowledge in modern fish cultivation and marketing. Since 1993, World Concern Bangladesh Trust has been providing technical assistance, financial support, and supervision to poor and marginalized fish farmers interested in cultivating quick growing fish in ponds with improved methods.
Sustainable Rural Small Entrepreneurs Development Program
A rural micro-credit intervention started in 1999 in Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Jamalpur, Tangail, Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, Kushtia, Jessore, Satkhira, Gopalganj, and Barisal Districts. The program strengthens the economic status of the poor by increasing family incomes and creating employment opportunities through development of small businesses. WCBT provides microfinance services at the doorsteps of the rural poor who are excluded from such services by the formal banking system due to lack of required assets. Along with training in skills, this makes them independent within their capacity .
Programs & Services
Loan Services
General Savings
Clients Welfare Funds
Social Services: Response during disaster
Bangabandhu Scholarship stipend for student