What is the name of your organization?
Illiteracy And Poverty Alleviation Assistance Organization(IPAO)
What is the name of your solution?
Smart Livelihood
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Empowering marginalized communities through smart agriculture, vocational training, and circular economy solutions
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Headquartered: Dhaka, Bangladesh and Solution Place: Nilphamari, Rangpur Division
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
BGD
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Rural communities in Bangladesh face chronic poverty, youth unemployment, and vulnerability to climate shocks. These regions suffer from limited market access, outdated farming methods, and poor vocational training opportunities, particularly for women and persons with disabilities. Nationally, youth unemployment is over 11%, and more than 20 million people in Bangladesh remain below the poverty line. Globally, 1 in 10 people live in extreme poverty, with a large concentration in climate-vulnerable and low-income countries. The intersection of poverty, underemployment, and ecological degradation demands integrated and localized economic solutions. IPAO addresses this multi-dimensional crisis with a solution that builds climate-resilient, tech-driven, and inclusive income opportunities.
What is your solution?
SmartLivelihood is a scalable, community-based program combining smart agriculture, vocational training, and circular economy practices to improve livelihoods. The solution introduces hydroponics, vertical farming, and sensor-based irrigation to increase yield and resilience. Participants—especially women, youth, and people with disabilities—receive hands-on training in mushroom farming, handicrafts, composting (Traco), and agri-business skills. The project also provides essential equipment like solar dryers, sewing machines, and composting kits. Tech tools track productivity and market trends to help beneficiaries connect with local and regional buyers. SmartLivelihood creates employment, promotes sustainability, and supports long-term economic prosperity.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
SmartLivelihood directly serves rural women, unemployed youth, persons with disabilities, and climate-affected farmers in Bangladesh—especially in Nilphamari and adjacent districts. These groups face economic exclusion, lack of resources, and vulnerability to climate shocks. Women are often confined to unpaid labor and youth are disconnected from modern job markets. Our solution empowers them through skills development, access to tools, and market linkage support. It enables dignified income generation, food security, and entrepreneurial confidence. By training over 500 individuals annually, SmartLivelihood builds sustainable local economies and fosters inclusive growth.
