A high-level delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) conducted a field visit to observe the activities of Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) focused on climate displaced communities and the elimination of child labour. The delegation was led by Sabine Rosenthaler, Head of the South and Southeast Asia Section at SDC. Also present were Diepak Elmer, Head of SDC Bangladesh; Marc Dietrich, Programme Manager (Nexus), Swiss Embassy; and Senior Programme Manager Shirin Lira.
During the visit on 4 May, the delegation toured various interventions under the “Climate Action at Local Level (CALL)” programme, including YPSA’s “Free Kids” project. They observed initiatives related to child protection, child labour prevention, and skills development, and participated in an exchange meeting with beneficiaries, local stakeholders, and community representatives. Sabine Rosenthaler and other members of the delegation expressed satisfaction with YPSA’s work and emphasized the need to scale up such initiatives to further combat child labour.
The delegation visited project sites in Bhasainya Para of Nazirartek under Cox’s Bazar Sadar, including learning centres and dried fish processing areas. The overall presentation and coordination of the visit were led by Mohammad Ali Shaheen, Head of Advocacy at YPSA.
Members of the SDC delegation directly interacted with children enrolled in the project and observed their skills development activities. They assessed beneficiaries’ progress and took part in a courtyard meeting with local government representatives, youth leaders, and community groups.
Mohammad Ali Shaheen, Head of Advocacy at YPSA, said:
‘Our goal is not only to withdraw children from hazardous labour, but also to ensure a safe and sustainable future for them. At the same time, we are working to make families self-reliant by providing livelihood-based training to parents.’
Others present during the visit included Tanvir Uddin Arman, Focal Person of the CALL Programme at SDC; Diksha Gulati, representative of Solidar Suisse; Farhana Afroze, Director of the CALL Programme; and Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director of YPSA.
The “Free Kids” project is being implemented by YPSA under the CALL programme, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and supported by Solidar Suisse Bangladesh.
Through this project:
* Children from climate-displaced families are being withdrawn from hazardous labour
* Vocational skills training is being provided
* Parents are receiving livelihood training to increase family income
* Family-based self-reliance is being strengthened
