Sustainable development in Bangladesh has often been challenged by inadequate environmental and social performance, creating risks for public health, productivity, and natural resources. To address these challenges, the World Bank introduced the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) in 2018, providing a structured approach to manage environmental and social risks in development projects. However, early implementation in Bangladesh revealed critical capacity gaps among Implementing Agencies (IAs). Recognizing this, the World Bank partnered with the Center for Environmental and Resource Management (CERM) at BUET to establish a dedicated Learning Center (LC), a hub to strengthen institutional and technical capacity for managing environmental and social issues. With resources allocated in FY’22 and FY’23, the initiative focused on developing curriculum, training programs, and collaborative networks. A graduate-level, three-month course aligned with the ESF and international best practices was prepared as one of its first milestones. On February 15, 2023, the Learning Center was officially launched, marking the start of a new chapter in building national expertise and supporting Bangladesh’s sustainable development journey.
The LC was initiated by the World Bank in response to capacity challenges during the implementation of the ESF in Bangladesh. Key challenges included gaps in staff expertise, differences between ESF and local laws, and weak monitoring frameworks. Resources were mobilized starting in FY22 to establish the LC and develop training modules aligned with ESF and global best practices.
Highlights include:
|
Year |
Month |
Training Title |
Duration |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2025 |
December |
Professional Training on Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Sector (Paid) |
3 Days |
|
|
November |
Professional Training on Basic Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) |
5 Days |
||
|
October |
Deep Dive Training on Gender and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) |
2 Days |
||
|
October |
Addressing Health and Safety Aspects in Development Projects |
Half day |
||
|
September |
Specific Pollution Management Technologies to be Implemented in the ESMP for the Construction Sector |
2 Days |
||
|
August |
ESF familiarization workshop for ERD and PC officials |
Half day |
||
|
April |
Hands-on Training on Contractors |
1 Day |
||
|
April |
Application of Advanced Tools for ESIA Preparation and Reporting: GIS, Drones and AI |
3 Days |
||
|
March |
Deep Dive on ESS 6 (Critical Habitat Assessment) |
2 Days |
||
|
February |
Hands on Preparation of ESIA Covering 10 ESSs, Relevant National Laws, and ECR'23 |
5 Days |
||
|
February - May |
Professional Course on Managing Environmental and Social Risks in World Bank funded Project |
Three months |
||
|
January |
Orientation Course on Various Topics such as Bid Doc Preparation Meeting ESF Criteria |
1 Day |
||
|
2024 |
November |
ES Issues in Bidding Documents |
1 Day |
|
|
October |
Geo-Enabling Initiative for Monitoring and |
3 Days |
||
|
May |
Occupational Health and Safety with a Focus on Building Construction, Road |
3 Days |
||
|
May |
Geo-Enabling Initiative for Monitoring and |
3 Days |
||
|
May |
Basic Environmental and Social Framework course |
5 Days |
||
|
April |
Orientation course on ESF, ESSs, and various documents |
2 Days |
||
|
February - May |
Professional Capacity Development Program on Managing Environmental and Social Risks in World Bank Funded Projects |
Three months |
||
|
January |
Labor Management Plan and Occupational Health and Safety Issues Program for Supporting Rural Bridges (SupRB) |
3 Days |
||
|
2023 |
November |
Labor Management Plan and Occupational Health and Safety Issues Program for Supporting Rural Bridges (SupRB) |
3 Days |
|
|
May |
Basic Course on Environmental and Social Risks Management |
2 Days |
||
|
February - May |
Professional Course on ‘Managing Environmental and Social Risks in World Bank Funded Projects |
Three months |
||
