Enhance the socio-economic condition of the poor and middle-class population through financing and developing entrepreneurial skills among the potential.

The Program is designed to promote inclusive economic growth, with a focus on the demands and requirements of the rural and urban middle class as well as underprivileged groups in society. It is difficult for underprivileged and marginalized groups to obtain collateral-free loans due to the low supply of capital or credit in the informal sector, especially without microcredit support. In response to these concerns, WAVE’s numerous interventions are strategically structured to enhance economic engagement and foster financial independence through a comprehensive approach encompassing diversified loan products, capital injection, savings schemes along with extensive outreach initiatives aimed at maximizing coverage and inclusivity. The objective is to enhance the socio-economic condition of the poor and middle-class population through financing and developing entrepreneurial skills among the potential. The agriculture sector and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) have emerged as pivotal pillars within the program, constituting a significant portion of the annual loan disbursement. Moreover, entrepreneurs emerging from our vocational training program receive startup capital from WAVE to launch and sustain their enterprises. In essence, this program intends to support and uplift the aspiring entrepreneurs in their pursuit of creating self and wage based employments. Additionally, WAVE’s micro-insurance service has enabled households to safeguard their finances and cope with immediate financial shocks. WAVE has embraced a comprehensive and integrated strategy for digitalization by adopting a fully Automated System to streamline operations and digitize documentation & transaction through integrating digital record-keeping systems and Fitch solutions.  

Operating across both rural and urban landscapes, WAVE Foundation’s expansive network comprises 139 branch offices, 27 Area Offices and 9 Regional Offices in 18 Districts (Dhaka, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Rajbari, Barisal, Barguna, Patuakhali, Pabna, Natore, Rajshahi, Jashore, Khulna, Jhenaidah, Magura, Chuadanga, Kushtia and Meherpur) under 4 Division namely Khulna, Barisal, Rajshahi and Dhaka.; which are strategically positioned to ensure accessibility and outreach. 

WAVE Foundation extends a comprehensive array of financial solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its program participants. Our major loan products encompass General Microcredit, Microenterprise Loan and Microcredit for Extreme Poor People; each meticulously designed to address specific socioeconomic challenges faced by our beneficiaries. Complementing these primary offerings are our supplementary loan products, which are Seasonal Agriculture Loan (Crop, Horticulture, Livestock and Fisheries), Water and Sanitation Loan, Housing Loan, Disaster Management Loan etc. These supplementary offerings serve to provide targeted support and address niche requirements, ensuring a holistic approach to financial inclusion and empowerment. 

Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) Project

In the aim of ensuring sustainable employment, the project is dedicated to increasing the capacity and productivity of micro-entrepreneurs who are existing beneficiaries under the community finance program of WAVE Foundation. Youth from poor, marginalized, and ethnic communities in urban and peri-urban areas in Bangladesh are covered under this project. It engages youth from low-income families and provides occupational-based training as an apprenticeship. This project has been designed to train a total of 3167 individuals which includes 1000 entrepreneurs who have been affected by Covid-19, 300 young entrepreneurs, 214 unskilled youth, and 105 skilled and experienced Master Craft Persons. It provides Risk Management Training to the existing entrepreneurs who have been affected by Covid-19 and Business Management, Risk Management, and Occupational Training to young and rising entrepreneurs who also need inclusive financing. The project has selected 105 skilled and experienced Master Craft Persons and oriented them to ensure the apprenticeship program is more effective. Furthermore, almost 500 unskilled youth who dropped out of education and belong to low-income families have been enrolled in apprenticeship training under the guidance of 105 Master Craft Persons in 7 demandable trades. As of now, a total of BDT 24.68 Crore loan has been disbursed among 1848 micro-entrepreneurs. This project is being supported by PKSF and the World Bank. WAVE Foundation has been implementing this project through its 27-unit offices in 12 districts across the country. 

Skill for Employment Investment Program-SEIP

The project is designed to promote entrepreneurship in the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (CMSMEs) sector, as well as to foster a skilled workforce through skills training. The project is aimed at developing human resources that align with market needs. Upon completion of the training, the project ensures that individuals secure more productive wage-based employment or self-employment, thereby improving their financial capacity and quality of life, and ultimately establishing their human dignity and that of their family. The project offers a 3-month residential Competency Based Training (CBT) program in various fields such as Graphic Design, Fashion Garments, Mobile Phone Servicing, and Electrical Installations and Maintenance. The certified participants receive job placement assistance, either in wage-based employment or self-employment. So far, a total of 820 youths have received training in Fashion Garments, 750 youths in Mobile Phone Servicing, 175 youths in Electrical Installation and Maintenance, and 225 youths in Graphic Design. Additionally, BDT 1,11,00,000/- has been disbursed as startup capital among 107 entrepreneurs. Among the participants, 34 physically challenged and 103 ethnic participants were trained in various courses. The total job placement for the certified participants is 1408, out of which 422 are in wage employment and 986 are self-employed. The monthly earnings of the participants range from BDT 3,000 to BDT 60,000 on average.The project is implemented by WAVE through its trade training center in Darsana, Chuadanga, with its own funds and support from PKSF.  

BD Rural WASH for HCD Project

The project has been undertaken with the aim of improving access to ‘safely-managed’ water supply and sanitation in the project areas and strengthening sector institutional capacity for water and sanitation. The project has adopted a demand-driven strategy to promote hygienic toilets & water supply systems by using lending instruments such as credit facilities along with incentives and conducting Behavior Change Communication (BCC) campaign on WASH that seeks to promote healthy living among the people by improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. The project activities focus on providing training and financial assistance to the Local Entrepreneurs (LE) for developing water and sanitation market system; extending financial and technical services for constructing hygienic toilets and safely managed water supply system at the household level; awareness raising and influencing the community to invest in WASH infrastructure for a better quality of life. The project is being implemented in 8 Upazilas under 5 Districts namely Manikganj, Jhenaidah, Magura, Pabna and Patuakhali through WAVE’s 16 Branch Offices. WAVE is implementing this project from July, 2023 with the financial and technical support from Government of Bangladesh, World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) through PKSF.   

Accelerating Sustainable Water and Sanitation Facilities for All-ACCESS

Accelerating Sustainable Water and Sanitation Facilities for All-ACCESS project, supported by Water.org, represents a concerted effort to address critical water and sanitation challenges in targeted communities, focusing on improving the accessibility of affordable water and sanitation services, increasing awareness and fostering capacity-building across communities. The objectives are to provide access to safe water and improved sanitation system and encourage the adoption of good hygiene practices; to support and uplift Local WASH Entrepreneurs though financing; to integrate climate resilient WASH product and to promote sustainable Green WASH market aiming for increased water and sanitation coverage by communicating with concerned stakeholders. The project is being implemented in 14 Districts under 4 Divisions through WAVE’s 127 Branch Offices. WAVE is implementing this project from April, 2024 with the target of disbursing BDT 500 Million for 25200 Water Product and BDT 1400 Million along with technical assistance for 46800 Sanitation Product installation at the household level by 2027.