Who We Are

Overview

The Society Development Committee (SDC) is a non-governmental organization established in 1988, committed to improving the socio-economic conditions of disadvantaged communities in Bangladesh. For over three decades, SDC has been working to uplift the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable groups, including women, children, people with disabilities, and sanitation workers. Our mission revolves around creating lasting, sustainable changes that enable these communities to lead dignified and self-reliant lives.

With a focus on poverty alleviation, livelihood development, and social inclusion, SDC provides a range of essential services. These include education for children from underprivileged families, access to primary healthcare, sanitation and hygiene promotion, and agricultural support for smallholder farmers. Our approach integrates resource management, capacity-building, and community engagement to ensure sustainable socio-economic development.

Today, SDC operates across 27 districts in Bangladesh, covering 66 upazilas, 415 unions, and 2,884 villages through a robust network of 105 branches. We are supported by a dedicated team of over 1,200 staff members, working tirelessly to implement our programs and achieve tangible results in the communities we serve. SDC partners with local, national, and international organizations, donor agencies, and government institutions to create a broad coalition for positive change.

Our vision is to establish a society free from exploitation and poverty, where justice, good governance, gender equality, and environmental sustainability are upheld. We believe in unlocking the potential of disadvantaged rural communities by ensuring their active participation in resource management, empowering them to take control of their future.

At SDC, we emphasize not just temporary relief but long-term, systemic solutions. By building strong networks, providing training, and creating opportunities for economic growth, we strive to break the cycle of poverty and promote social justice. We believe that by working together, we can create a fairer, more equitable society for all. Join us in our journey toward a brighter, more inclusive future.

Start of activities: 1988
Area of activities: Boalmari, Faridpur district
From Gunbaha village, Upazila
Registration received: 1989
Founder Executive Director: Kazi Ashraful Hassan
Number of members of the Executive Committee: Total 07

Objective

SDC’s objective is to empower disadvantaged communities through sustainable socio-economic development, focusing on poverty reduction, livelihood enhancement, and social inclusion. By promoting resource management, capacity building, and community participation, SDC aims to create long-term, self-reliant growth while ensuring justice, gender equality, and environmental.

To work in the interest of the distressed and oppressed population of the society with the emphasis on such fundamental needs as food, cloth, shelter, health and education.
To encourage, stimulate and facilitate for institution building by ensuring the participation of poor and extreme poor with the emphasis of women participation.
To foster both formal and non-formal education the disadvantaged children and dropout students ensuring community involvement in this process.
To organize and train the deprived section of the rural population as groups to be active, patriotic, hardworking and self-dependent citizens of Bangladesh.
To build the capacity in terms of human and financial management for their own development and to resolve their identified problems.
To encourage individual and family based enterprises and enhance the process of sustainable income and employment for the rural poor.
To ensure gender awareness from family to community level and to ensure women’s access to and control over resources and benefits derived from projects.
To address the issue of environmental degradation and protection by raising awareness, waste management and tree plantation.
To liaise with local, national and international organization / institutions of both GO and NGO in view of establishing strong linkage for achieving organizational goal.
To involve in relevant research activities on way to SDC’s overall institutional goal.
To prepare and publish different publications to present practical scenario and action status of this organization.
To assist activities to rehabilitate and mobilize rescue operation for affected population at the time of natural disasters.

Vision

SDC envisions a society free from exploitation and poverty, where justice, good governance, and gender equality thrive. We aim to create an inclusive environment where all individuals can live with dignity, and environmental sustainability is prioritized for future generations. Through community empowerment and active participation, we strive to build a fair, equitable, and sustainable future for all

Goal

SDC’s goal is to improve the socioeconomic status of the poor and extremely poor by focusing on poverty reduction and livelihood development. We aim to achieve this through the efficient and sustainable management of resources, empowering marginalized communities to enhance their quality of life. Our efforts emphasize long-term solutions that promote self-reliance, equitable growth, and inclusive development. By fostering economic resilience, we seek to create opportunities that enable individuals and families to break the cycle of poverty and secure a brighter future.

Mission

SDC’s mission is to unlock the potential of disadvantaged rural communities by actively involving them in resource management. We focus on empowering these communities to drive their sustainable socio-economic development. Through active participation and capacity building, we aim to create opportunities for growth and self-reliance. Our mission is to foster an environment where individuals can contribute to and benefit from equitable development. By prioritizing local engagement, we work towards long-term solutions that uplift and sustain vulnerable populations.

Transparency

The Society Development Committee (SDC) is committed to transparency by conducting regular audits and publishing detailed financial reports. All project outcomes and activities are shared with stakeholders through accessible platforms, ensuring accountability. SDC engages the community in discussions, fostering trust and promoting ethical practices in every aspect of its operations.

Tactical Initiative

The Society Development Committee (SDC) is dedicated to empowering underserved communities by ensuring access to essential resources and services. With a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan, SDC prioritizes the needs of its target populations. The Finance Committee rigorously oversees financial matters and reviews all proposals before they are presented for Executive Committee approval, ensuring that programs align with community needs and objectives.

SDC Governance Structure

Any adult citizen engaged in any profession and possessing initiative and enthusiasm for social welfare is eligible to become a member of SDC’s General Body (GB). The 17-member GB approves the annual report, audit report, and budget and appoints the Auditor. It meets at least once a year and elects a seven-member Executive Committee (EC) for a term of three years from amongst its members.

The EC formulates policies, guidelines, and directives for the management of SDC. It is responsible for appointing and evaluating the Executive Director (ED)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other project directors. The President and Treasurer co-sign cheques along with the ED and Finance Head. The EC meets at least four times a year but may convene at any time in case of emergencies. It also establishes special committees to address specific issues, such as finances.

The management team, headed by the ED, consists of a full-time staff tasked with executing the policies set forth by the EC. The top management is supported by a group of committed staff members dedicated to the mission of SDC.