Caritas Finland’s four development cooperation projects are progressing well in Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Kenya. In this news piece, we’ll share more details about each project.
A Better Future for Bangladeshi Migrants
As many as 500,000 Bangladeshis go abroad for work each year. Migrants leave for various reasons, but for many, it is a necessity: poverty, lack of alternatives, and desperation drive them to leave. These migrants often don’t know their rights, and sub-agents may provide false information about the job awaiting them abroad. Once they arrive, mistreatment is common: wages are not paid as agreed—or at all—and working hours are not respected. Sometimes the promised job doesn’t even exist. Both psychological and physical abuse occur. Uneducated women are particularly vulnerable.
Our CLAIM project (2023–2026) supports vulnerable migrants—both those planning to leave and those who have returned from abroad. The project is implemented by the Bangladeshi organisation OKUP with support from Caritas Finland and CAFOD.
Key results from 2023 and 2024:
- Nearly 39,000 people have received information about migrant rights, migration-related issues, and how to protect themselves. They were reached through door-to-door campaigns, trainings, community meetings, and theatre performances.
- 87 returnee migrants to Bangladesh, who were mistreated abroad, have received legal aid.
- 18 returnees have received financial compensation for work-related injuries or illnesses.
- The project team has met with judges, lawyers, and political decision-makers, increasing awareness of migrant rights and strengthening commitment to promoting them.
Empowered Farmers in Nepal
Smallholder farmers in Nepal grow their own food. However, climate change poses serious challenges to farming, including droughts and floods. Many farmers rely on cultivating a single crop, such as rice. If the crop fails, they lose their main source of food and income for the year.
Our project in Nepal (2023–2025) helps farmers find environmentally sustainable and local solutions to these challenges. This way, they can produce more diverse food and generate income by selling their products. The project is implemented by Caritas Nepal with the support of Caritas Finland and Caritas Austria.
Key results from 2023 and 2024:
- 1,800 farmers have benefited from the project. Participants were selected based on vulnerability, including poverty, single women, single mothers, people with disabilities, and families with small children.
- All 1,800 farmers received support to start home gardens.
- 1,130 farmers have begun chicken farming with project support. Eggs provide both extra nutrition and additional income.
- 1,461 farmers have learned to make plant-based pesticides, which are environmentally friendly and cost-effective, unlike chemical pesticides that are expensive and harmful to environment.
Education Amid Conflict in Myanmar
Children and youth have the right to education—even during conflict. Sadly, since the military coup in 2021, the education situation in Myanmar has been bleak. The military government now controls the education system. Many parents are afraid or unwilling to send their children to school, as youths can be forcibly recruited into the army, and the quality of education is poor.
Fortunately, there are schools and teachers offering alternative education outside the official system. However, they lack skills, support, and learning materials. Our new project, which began this year, addresses these gaps. It is implemented by the local civil society organisation with support from Caritas Finland and.
Project goals for 2025–2028:
- Support over 500 teachers, community leaders, and parents to provide quality and inclusive education.
- Help teachers continue their work during times of conflict and uncertainty.
- Improve access to education for approximately 9,600 children and youth in 16 schools across the country.
Akikeun Eyare – Empowered Women in Turkana, Kenya
Turkana is one of Kenya’s driest and poorest regions. Malnutrition is common, especially among children, and education levels are low. Women carry great responsibility at home, but their opportunities to influence are limited.
Our new project addresses these challenges. The local community named the initiative Akikeun Eyare, which means empowerment. The project is run by local organisation Caritas Lodwar with support from Caritas Finland.
Project goals for 2025–2027:
- Help 240 women start sustainable livelihoods such as beekeeping or goat rearing. This will increase household income, improve food security, and help keep children in school.
- Provide clean water for 3,600 people, their livestock, and their crops.
- Raise awareness among 1,200 people about climate change adaptation, and mitigation.
- Specifically reach the most vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, the elderly, single mothers, and children living without guardians.
All the above projects receive development cooperation funding from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. This funding covers 85% of the project costs. Caritas Finland can cover the remaining 15% thanks to donations.
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