Community Organisation
Recipient
Noboprobhaat Foundation
Bangladesh
Brief information about your organisation
Noboprobhaat Foundation is a registered, youth-led LGBTIQ+ organization in Bangladesh that began its journey in 2018 in a rural village of Mithapukur, Rangpur, Bangladesh led by Md Yasin Ali and a group of dedicated LGBTIQ+ youth. Despite facing formidable challenges such as economic hardship, limited internet access, and religious extremism, Noboprobhaat has empowered marginalized LGBTIQ+ youth by advocating for their rights, raising awareness about HIV, and offering training and employment opportunities for economic self-sufficiency. The foundation’s efforts primarily target LGBTIQ+ individuals but also extend to ally marginalized women, youth, and indigenous communities.
Noboprobhaat’s impact has garnered support from respected organizations, including Article 19 South Asia, Free Press Unlimited, Bandhu Social Welfare Society, The commonwealth Equality Networks, ILGA Asia, The Asia Foundation, Outright International, USAID Bangladesh, European Union, Youth Voices Count, and CREA. Our focus areas encompass human rights, gender equality, economic and educational equity, gender-based violence prevention, and SRHR all while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We work actively to protect indigenous culture, support climate resilience, and generate opportunities for meaningful employment. With a headquarters in Rangpur, Noboprobhaat Foundation continues to work tirelessly for inclusivity, resilience, and the dignity of marginalized communities in Bangladesh.
What one achievement your organisation has accomplished that you’re most proud of?
Why?
One of Noboprobhaat Foundation’s proudest achievements is the “Development of Safety and Social Acceptance of the Rohingya SOGIESC Youth Community” project with Youth Voices Count. Despite significant barriers, we provided 70 LGBTIQ+ Rohingya youth with primary and technical education, mental health sessions, and HIV awareness. Operating in refugee camps, where access is restricted, posed immense challenges, but our efforts empowered these youth with knowledge, support, and dignity. This project not only educated but also gave hope to a marginalized community, making it a powerful testament to our mission of supporting vulnerable LGBTIQ+ individuals in Bangladesh.
What do you find most challenging about your work? Why?
Noboprobhaat Foundation faces significant challenges working in rural area of Bangladesh, where infrastructure, internet access, and educational resources are limited. High levels of prejudice, religious extremism, and poverty amplify discrimination against the LGBTIQ+ community. Operating far from the capital city restricts our access to crucial funding, training, and opportunities, putting us at a disadvantage compared to urban organizations. Section 377 of the Penal Code criminalizes our community, adding legal and social barriers. Additionally, ongoing threats from extremist groups create a hostile environment, making it difficult to operate safely and effectively to support marginalized rural LGBTIQ+ youth.
What do you do to help your staff recharge their battery?
At Noboprobhaat Foundation, we prioritize a non-discriminatory, supportive working environment, as we believe that employees perform best in inclusive settings. We maintain open awareness of each other’s challenges, ensuring that if anyone struggles, they are met with support rather than criticism. Our team operates with a shared commitment to uplift one another, creating a culture of collective recharge. Attached to our office is a designated safe space where employees can openly discuss their issues with a trained counselor. Additionally, we provide access to free mental health services and have an in-house peer support group, allowing staff to connect, share, and recharge as a team.
What is your ask to donors?
Our request to donors is to recognize the unique challenges faced by rural LGBTIQ+ communities in Bangladesh, where issues like poverty, limited resources, religious extremism, and legal restrictions under Section 377 persist. We ask for flexible, sustained funding that not only supports our advocacy and outreach efforts but also provides resources for training, capacity building, and mental health services for our staff. Additionally, access to technical assistance and networking opportunities would empower us to strengthen our impact and resilience. Support from donors can be a transformative force for the marginalized communities we serve in these challenging contexts.
You have been nominated for the Community Organisation category.
What was your reaction and please, tell us why?
We are incredibly honored and thrilled to be nominated for the Community Organisation category. This nomination not only acknowledges the hard work and resilience of Noboprobhaat Foundation but also shines a light on the challenges faced by rural LGBTIQ+ communities in Bangladesh. Our team, operating under difficult conditions, often with limited resources, is motivated by the belief that every step toward inclusion and equality makes a difference. This recognition reaffirms our mission and gives us hope, showing that our work is seen and valued on a regional level. It fuels our determination to continue advocating for change and inclusivity.
What is a warm/hopeful message that you would like to share with the communities in the Asia Pacific?
To our fellow communities across the Asia Pacific: never underestimate the power of resilience and unity. In times of adversity, remember that we are not alone. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive world where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation,can live with dignity and pride. Let’s continue supporting each other, standing up for our rights, and celebrating our unique identities. Every step forward, no matter how small, brings us closer to a future filled with acceptance, love, and equality. Keep believing in yourself and in the strength of our collective voice.
