We empower women and marginalized communities through inclusive, sustainable livelihood development.
Alternative Development Initiative (ADI) is a national non-governmental organization (NGO) and a registered Microfinance Institution (MFI) in Bangladesh. Founded in April 1992 by a visionary woman leader, ADI was established to advance women’s agency, economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihood development, particularly among marginalized and low-income communities. With over three decades of experience in the development sector, ADI implements integrated and multi-sectoral programs encompassing skills development, financial inclusion, livelihood improvement, health, education, nutrition, livestock, agriculture, and fisheries. Through evidence-based and community-driven interventions, ADI significantly contributes to building economic and social resilience, particularly for women-headed and vulnerable households, enabling them to secure sustainable incomes, improve well-being, and strengthen their agency. ADI began its operations in the western region of Bangladesh and has since expanded its reach across diverse communities nationwide. ADI is managed by a team of qualified professionals led by the Executive Director, who oversees the implementation of all program activities. Governance and strategic guidance are provided by a 7-member General Board (GB) and a 5-member Executive Committee (EC), which meets quarterly to review progress and provide policy direction. At the field level, a 7-member Local Management Committee (LMC) supports planning, monitoring, and effective implementation of project activities. The LMC meets four times a year, ensuring strong community engagement, accountability, and responsive programming. Through its rights-based, gender-responsive, and inclusive approach, ADI continues to contribute to women’s economic empowerment, poverty reduction, and sustainable development across Bangladesh.
Goal: The overarching goal of ADI is to enhance livelihood security and socio-economic resilience of poor and marginalized households by actively engaging them in inclusive and sustainable development processes.
Specific Objectives
- To strengthen rural women’s institutions and leadership to protect their interests, promote their rights, and enhance their meaningful participation and recognition in society.
- To build the capacity of rural communities, particularly women and vulnerable groups, to effectively access and utilize local resources, public services, and social protection mechanisms.
- To promote entrepreneurship and income-generating opportunities among poor and marginalized households through skills development, financial inclusion, and market linkages.
- To raise community awareness on environmental degradation and support the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources for long-term livelihood sustainability.
Mission: ADI’s mission is to strengthen livelihood security of poorer households by engaging them in inclusive and participatory development initiatives. ADI works to empower rural women through strong institutions, build community capacity to access resources and services, promote entrepreneurship among the rural poor, and foster environmental awareness and conservation of natural resources for sustainable development.
Vision: ADI envisions a society where poor and marginalized households—especially rural women—enjoy sustainable livelihoods, social justice, and environmental harmony, with equal access to resources, services, and opportunities to live with dignity.
Legal Status: Alternative Development Initiative (ADI) is a non-profit, voluntary development organization duly registered with relevant government authorities in Bangladesh. ADI holds registration with the Directorate of Social Services (Registration & Control) under Registration No. Dha-03020, dated 2 December 1993. ADI is also registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau under Registration No. 902, dated 18 April 1995, and with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) under Registration No. S-2642 (55)/2001, dated 15 November 2001. In addition, ADI is a licensed Microfinance Institution (MFI), registered with the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) under Certificate No. 00711-00027-00303, dated 20 October 2008.
“Development is not built by one, but by all, collectively.”
Nearly three decades have passed since the establishment of the Alternative Development Initiative (ADI). Since 1993, ADI has been working to improve the living standards of poor and marginalized communities through inclusive and people-centered development approaches. Throughout this journey, numerous challenges have tested our resolve; however, each obstacle has strengthened our commitment and enriched our learning, enabling ADI to steadily progress toward its goals.
During the first decade, ADI focused on laying strong foundations at the grassroots level. Our programs emphasized community organization, awareness-building on rights and social justice for disadvantaged groups, skills development through training, women’s empowerment and improved gender relations, basic literacy, water and sanitation education, environmental development and natural resource conservation, agricultural extension, promotion of organic manure and safe pest management, and legal support related to family law and protection from oppression.
In the second decade (2004–2014), ADI significantly expanded its microfinance programs to enhance household incomes and economic stability. Flagship initiatives such as Jagoron Microcredit, Buniad for the ultra-poor, Agrosor, and Sufolon were implemented widely.
Access to capital strengthened beneficiaries’ capacity to invest productively, encouraged family participation in income-generating activities, and enabled many members to emerge as small traders and entrepreneurs—creating employment opportunities within their communities. Alongside economic progress, the organizational capacity and leadership skills of our members also continued to grow.
In the current third decade, ADI has adopted a more integrated development approach, combining microfinance with social programs in education, health, training, community-based development, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, girls’ development, and awareness-building initiatives. These interventions aim to create lasting economic and social resilience, particularly for women and vulnerable households. This annual report reflects the progress and achievements of ADI during the 2018–2019 financial year.
The collective commitment of our general members at all levels, the guidance and integrity of the Executive Board, and the continued financial and technical support of our development partners have been instrumental in strengthening ADI’s institutional sustainability and impact. We firmly believe that this spirit of collective strength, integrity, and determination will continue to guide ADI’s journey in the decades ahead.
May Allah guide and support us in our continued efforts to serve humanity.
Mohsen Ara Begum, Executive Director, ADI
Districts
Villages
Branch Offices
Borrower
Loan Disbursed (BDT)
Create change
Join us to better lives and create beautiful future
Email us at adi.bd.org@gmail.com