Background & Context

Cox’s Bazar of Chittagong division is a coastal district located to south-eastern corner of Bangladesh. The Bay of Bengal is located to the south and west of the district thus it is the most significant domestic tourist destination, famous for its beaches. According to the UNDA Framework, Cox’s Bazar district is considered as one of 20 (out of 64) ‘lagging districts’ of Bangladesh (based on indicators of poverty, literacy, nutrition, infrastructures, services, risks associated with environmental degradation, etc.). It is also one of nine districts performing poorly on all indicators. In rems of youth resource capacitate and utilization it also legging behind bather youth are engaging negative means of activities like drug trafficking, human trafficking etc.

Similarly, Cox’s Bazar is one the most attractive tourist place belonging World longest Sea Beach with huge opportunity of tourism. In addition, Cox’s Bazar is currently hosting 1M forcibly Displaced Myanmar National from 2017 which creates employment opportunities for local youth.

Realizing the fact, ASTA foundation intend to build SMART YOUTH for sustainable development through Skills development and behavioral Changes.

Needs Analysis

The most recent random assessment found almost all youth irrespective of graduated or current students are having lacking digital skills and communication skills. Furthermore, youth and adolescent of this area are not aware about social disorder and barrier. Hence, ASTA foundation intend to provide digital skills, communication skills and career guidance with equipped in well behavior.

Proposed Action & Implementation

ASTA  seeking funding from the member, well-wisher, and humanitarian hearted  to implement the following interventions:

Proposed Activity

1. Digital skills Development

• Digital Literacy and social media etiquette

2. Communication Skills development

• English fluency building
• Bangla phonetics
• Self confidence
• Self-presentation.

3. Career guidance and professional development

• CV & Cover writing skills development for job seeker
• Competency based viva preparation
• Advocacy with job provider

4. BCC session/ awareness session

• Drugs trafficking
• Human trafficking
• Hospitality management
• Utilization of social media

Beneficiary Selection, Visibility & Reporting

ASTA will ensure visibility and proper documentation throughout the project implementation. After completion the project, ASTA will produce report for internal and external publication.

Beneficiary Selection:

ASTA Foundation’s SMART Youth project targets economically disadvantaged youth in Cox’s Bazar Sadar, prioritizing those with limited educational opportunities and at risk of engaging in negative activities like drug and human trafficking. The focus is on individuals facing socio-economic challenges.

Visibility:

To enhance visibility, ASTA Foundation documents project activities through photos, videos, and written reports. Regular updates on social media channels highlight progress, success stories, and milestones. Community engagement, including workshops and events, fosters local understanding and support.

Reporting:

The foundation commits to regular progress reports detailing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. Financial transparency is maintained through clear reporting on budget allocations and expenditures. Impact assessments, combining qualitative and quantitative data, measure changes in beneficiaries’ skills and behaviour’s. Stakeholder meetings, including donors and community representatives, provide forums for discussion and feedback, ensuring accountability and project success.

Expected Outcome and Indicators

The SMART Youth project by ASTA Foundation aims to empower economically disadvantaged youth in Cox’s Bazar Sadar, equipping them with essential skills and behaviour’s for sustainable development. The overarching outcome is the transformation of these youth into informed, skilled, and responsible individuals capable of positively contributing to their communities and breaking the cycle of negative activities.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Digital Skills Development (Target: 125 youth)

• Empowered Youth in the Digital Age
• Increased proficiency in digital literacy leading to enhanced technological competence.
• Responsible and ethical use of social media demonstrated by participants.
• Improved online presence reflecting positive engagement and awareness.

2. Communication Skill Development (Target: 125 youth)

• Confident and Effective Communicators
• Heightened English fluency contributing to better communication.
• Mastered Bangla phonetics for clear and articulate expression.
• Observable self-confidence and impactful self-presentation skills.

3. Career Guidance and Professional Skills Development (Target: 125 youth)

• Job-Ready and Empowered Individuals
• Polished CV and cover letter writing skills enhancing employability.
• Competency-based interview preparation leading to increased confidence.
• Successful job placements and opportunities secured through effective advocacy.

4. Life Skills/BCC Sessions (Target: 125 youth)

• Informed and Responsible Citizens
• Heightened awareness of risks associated with drugs and human trafficking.
• Responsible utilization of social media for personal and community benefit.
• Observable behavioural changes reflecting awareness and adherence to hospitality management practices.

5. Overall Project Impact

• Sustainable Development through SMART Youth
• Breakdown of negative activities among youth, contributing to community well-being.
• Increased participation of empowered youth in local development initiatives.
• Enhanced socio-economic conditions in Cox’s Bazar Sadar through the positive impact of skilled and responsible youth.

Indicators:

• Percentage increase in participants’ digital literacy.
• Demonstrated understanding of responsible social media behaviour.
• Improvement in English fluency levels.
• Proficiency in applying Bangla phonetics.
• Observable self-confidence and effective self-presentation.
• Enhancement in participants’ CV and cover letter writing skills.
• Successful completion of competency-based interview preparation.
• Number of participants securing employment or opportunities through effective advocacy.
• Demonstrated understanding of risks associated with drugs and human trafficking.
• Increased awareness and adoption of responsible social media practices.
• Observable behavioural changes related to hospitality management awareness.

Budget and Resources

By allocating resources effectively and engaging with local partners, businesses, and volunteers, the SMART Youth project aims to maximize its impact on the targeted beneficiaries in Cox’s Bazar Sadar.

Implementation Plan

Project Setup (January 2022)

• Establish the foundational elements for the project’s successful implementation.
• Recruit and train project staff and facilitators.
• Set up project management and communication systems.
• Develop partnerships with local organizations and businesses.

Needs Assessment (January 2022 – February 2022)

• Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to inform targeted interventions.
• Administer surveys and interviews to assess the specific needs of the youth in Cox’s Bazar Sadar.
• Analyse data to identify key challenges and opportunities.
• Refine project strategies based on the needs assessment results.

Beneficiary (Youth) Identification and Selection (March 2022)

• Identify and select beneficiaries based on established criteria.
• Outreach programs to inform the community about the project.
• Application and screening process to select 125 participants for each intervention.

Training and Skill Development (April 2022 – September 2023)

• Implement targeted interventions to develop digital skills, communication skills, career guidance, and life skills.
• Conduct digital skills workshops with expert trainers.
• Deliver communication skills development sessions, including language and self-presentation workshops.
• Facilitate career guidance and professional skills development programs.
• Organize life skills and BCC sessions on drugs, human trafficking, social media, and hospitality management.

Community Engagement and Events (October 2023)

• Foster community engagement and raise awareness about the project.
• Organize community meetings to share project updates and successes.
• Conduct workshops and events to showcase the skills and achievements of the participants.
• Collaborate with local media for coverage and visibility.

Monitoring and Evaluation (Ongoing)

• Continuously monitor project activities and evaluate their impact.
• Implement regular progress reviews and assessments.
• Gather feedback from participants, community members, and stakeholders.
• Adjust project strategies based on evaluation results.

Sustainability and Scaling (November 2023)

• Ensure the sustainability of project outcomes and explore opportunities for scaling.
• Develop sustainability plans for continued support to project participants.
• Explore partnerships for scaling the project to other communities or expanding interventions.
• Document and share success stories to attract further support.

Project Closure and Reporting (December 2023)

• Conclude the project with a comprehensive report and lessons learned.
• Generate a final project report detailing achievements, challenges, and impact.
• Organize a project closure event to celebrate successes and acknowledge contributions.
• Share project outcomes and insights with stakeholders, donors, and the wider community.

This implementation plan outlines a phased approach to effectively carry out the SMART Youth project, ensuring its success, sustainability, and positive impact on the youth of Cox’s Bazar Sadar.

Conclusion

The SMART Youth project led by ASTA Foundation in Cox’s Bazar Sadar represents a beacon of hope and empowerment for the local youth. Through strategic interventions in digital skills, communication, career guidance, and life skills, the project aims not only to bridge educational and skill gaps but also to instill a sense of responsibility and positive engagement within the community. By addressing the unique challenges faced by the youth in this coastal district, the project aspires to break the cycle of negative activities and cultivate a generation of informed, skilled, and socially conscious individuals. As we look forward, the commitment to ongoing monitoring, community engagement, and sustainability measures ensures that the impact of this endeavor extends beyond its immediate timeline, fostering lasting change and contributing to the sustainable development of Cox’s Bazar Sadar.