Social Justice
Building leadership among the poor so they can mediate their demands with local government, organise around local issues and claim their rights.
The Social Justice division builds counter-leadership from the poor at local level: people with the capacity for demand mediation, to organise issue-based movements and to challenge unfair practice. It strengthens local government institutions, supports people to claim legal rights, and acts on human rights, violence against women and acid attacks.
Members elect Branch Jono Shangathan (BJS) and Upazila Jono Shangathan (UzJS) committees through a direct electoral process. These people's organisations meet monthly, mediate local conflicts, mobilise against kidnapping, rape and corruption, press for khas land for the landless, and hold COAST staff to account in face-to-face meetings.
COAST has also observed elections as a non-partisan short-term observer, and runs education and adolescent programmes, including community schools and Shonglap (dialogue) centres for adolescent girls.
Projects in this programme
Access to Justice (A2J)
- Partner
- GIZ
Latest from this programme
Favouritism and partisanship in NGO funding criticised at Grand Bargain seminar
Rights-based organisations called for effective implementation of the Grand Bargain in Bangladesh, including localisation, equitable partnerships and quality funding.
Climate-vulnerable coastal women deserve dignified, sustainable livelihoods
At a human chain on International Women's Day, speakers called for urgent action on salinity, drinking water and livelihoods for coastal women.
National dialogue on the development of Bhola
Parliamentary candidates, political leaders, journalists and NGOs discussed fair elections and Bhola's development at the COAST Center, Bhola.
Other programmes
03 Climate Justice & Advocacy
Campaigning at local, national and international level for climate finance, tax and debt justice, and a fair deal for coastal people, through the EquityBD platform.
04 Rohingya Response & Localisation
Education, child protection, WASH and social cohesion for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox's Bazar and on Bhasan Char, alongside a national campaign for locally led response.
05 Disaster Risk Reduction & Response
A standing disaster policy, own emergency fund and trained staff that let COAST act within hours of cyclones, floods and tidal surges.
06 Small-Scale Fishers
Alternative livelihoods, skills and cash support for fishing families, and advocacy for dignified compensation during fishing bans.
Stand with the coastal poor
Partner with us, support emergency response or join our work. Every contribution reaches families living on the front line of climate change.