Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE)

A five-year project has been implemented since September 2022 with the overall support of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). Through this project, training and subsequent loan support are being provided for various environmentally friendly enterprises to young entrepreneurs from low-income families and existing small entrepreneurs whose business activities were affected by COVID-19 and are aligned with small enterprise development initiatives.

Project Goals and Objectives

• To support entrepreneurs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through financial assistance and various training programs.
• To promote self-reliance among small and young entrepreneurs by providing financial support along with three-month training programs.
• To address unemployment in the country by offering financial assistance together with six-month training programs aimed at developing employable skills.

Implemented Activities

a) Business Management and Entrepreneurship Development Training

• Duration: 16 days (conducted over a period of 2 months)
• Participants per batch: 20
• During FY 2025–2026, a total of 560 young entrepreneurs received training.
• Training for 2 batches is currently ongoing.
• Overall, 1,727 participants have successfully completed the training to date.
• Upon completion, each trainee receives a cash incentive of BDT 5,000, disbursed through bank accounts or mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad.

b) Life Skills Development Training

• Duration: 5 days
• Participants per batch: 16
• During FY 2025–2026, 400 apprentices received life skills training.
• A total of 667 participants have completed the training so far.
• Upon completion, each trainee receives a cash incentive of BDT 750, disbursed through bank accounts or mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad.

c) Apprenticeship Training

• Duration: 6 months
• During FY 2025–2026, 400 apprentices received apprenticeship training.
• In the September 2025 – February 2026 cycle, training for 43 apprentices is currently ongoing.
• Overall, 667 apprentices have completed the training.
• Upon successful completion, each apprentice receives BDT 21,000 as a stipend, while each master craftsperson receives BDT 9,000 per apprentice, disbursed through bank accounts.

d) Master Craftsperson Orientation

• During FY 2025–2026, a total of 142 Master Craftspersons were selected.
• 62 Master Craftspersons received orientation training during the fiscal year.
• Overall, 176 Master Craftsperson’s have successfully completed the orientation program.
                                                                                                                                                                                                    * Information up to May 2026