Operating in diverse regions, the organization’s Microfinance Program plays a pivotal role in achieving socio-economic empowerment for coastal communities, particularly focusing on underprivileged fisherfolk and marginalized populations. The expansion highlights of the Microfinance Program, including significant growth in member savings, outstanding loans, the number of borrowers, branches, and members, underscore its dynamic and thriving impact on financial inclusion, economic development, and community empowerment.

Spanning 2797 coastal villages across 549   unions of 77 upazilas in 15 districts, the program secures financial support from diverse entities like DANIDA, PKSF, Stromme Foundation, DFID, Netherland Embassy, JICA, IFAD, The World Bank, ADB, and CODEC’s internal funds. Despite challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s recovery to pre-pandemic levels attests to CODEC’s resilience. Collaborative efforts among CODEC’s field-level personnel, leadership, and support from entities like PKSF and the Bangladesh Bank have played a pivotal role.

CODEC’s microfinance projects are diverse and impactful. The Integrated Agricultural Unit focuses on sustainable agricultural technologies, capacity-building for farmers, and fisheries-related farming activities, aiming to enhance farming productivity and ensure food security in specific areas like Raipur and Laxmipur Sadar Upazila in Laxmipur District.

Engaged in broader projects such as Pathways to Prosperity for Extremely Poor People (PPEPP), jointly financed by FCDO and the European Union, and the Sustainable Enterprise Project (SEP) that supports innovative economic activities for a more sustainable environment, CODEC demonstrates a holistic approach. Microenterprise development, resilience-building for livestock farmers, and inclusive programs like ENRICH cover aspects from education to healthcare, nutrition, and employment generation. Additional projects, including RMTP, Adolescent Programme, Microenterprise Development Programme (MDP), Sustainable Beef Fattening Enterprises, KALPATORU, RAISE, Bd. Rural WASH, LRMP, and IRMP further enrich CODEC’s impactful initiatives.

In essence, CODEC exemplifies a development model extending beyond financial aid, actively working to uplift and empower coastal populations in Bangladesh. The organization’s success in the Microfinance Program, combined with a commitment to continuous improvement and holistic approaches, positions CODEC as a catalyst for positive change, significantly contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of coastal communities in the country.