Discover the mission, core values, and multi-sector development initiatives carried out by Society Development Committee across Bangladesh.
Society Development Committee (SDC) is a national development organization committed to building a poverty-free, dignified, equitable, and sustainable Bangladesh. Established in 1988 in Faridpur, SDC has grown from a small community initiative into a multi-sector development organization working across 20 districts of Bangladesh.
For more than 37 years, SDC has worked alongside underserved and marginalized communities to strengthen livelihoods, expand opportunities, promote social equity, and build resilience. We believe that poverty is multidimensional and cannot be addressed through income support alone. Therefore, our approach integrates economic empowerment with education, health, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and social development.
At SDC, we believe that sustainable development happens when communities are empowered to become active participants in their own progress.
Our integrated development approach brings together financial inclusion, education, agriculture, healthcare, environmental stewardship, skills development, and livelihood enhancement. By connecting these sectors, we address the interconnected challenges faced by low-income and vulnerable communities and create pathways toward long-term resilience.
Our work is guided by three principles:
SDC delivers an interdisciplinary portfolio of development programs addressing both the economic and social dimensions of poverty.
We expand access to inclusive financial services, enabling low-income households and women entrepreneurs to strengthen their livelihoods, invest in productive activities, and move toward financial independence.
We work to increase access to quality educational opportunities for children and youth, supporting learning, skills development, and greater social mobility.
We promote climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihood practices that improve productivity while protecting natural resources and strengthening rural resilience.
We expand access to essential healthcare and promote community-based health practices that contribute to healthier and more resilient communities.
We support improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, recognizing their fundamental role in public health and human dignity.
We promote responsible resource use, recycling, environmental awareness, and sustainable waste management to reduce environmental pressure and build long-term resilience.
We create opportunities for skills development and livelihood enhancement, helping individuals improve employability, entrepreneurship, and income-generating capacity.
We promote equality, justice, participation, and inclusion, particularly for marginalized and underserved communities.
We support livestock-based livelihoods as part of diversified and sustainable income opportunities for rural households.
Since its establishment in 1988, SDC has continuously evolved through learning, innovation, and adaptation.
Our long-term presence at the community level has enabled us to build trust, strengthen resilience, and support self-reliance among the people we serve.
Today, our operations extend across 20 districts, combining financial and social development interventions to address poverty from multiple dimensions.
What began as a small initiative in Faridpur has developed into an organization with 142 branches, 1,194 employees, 16 projects, and a reach of approximately 6 Lac people.
Our journey has been shaped by one consistent belief: lasting development must be people-centered, inclusive, and sustainable.
The year 2025 brought significant challenges for communities and development organizations alike.
Inflationary pressures, economic uncertainty, and supply-chain disruptions affected household purchasing power and operational environments. At the same time, Bangladesh continued to experience the growing impacts of climate change, including flooding, storms, and unpredictable weather patterns that increased vulnerability among rural communities.
Despite these challenges, SDC remained committed to maintaining essential services and development activities.
The resilience and dedication of our employees, communities, contributors, and development partners enabled us to continue delivering services, responding to emerging needs, and pursuing our long-term development objectives.
These experiences reinforced an important lesson
Sustainable development requires integrated solutions and collective action.
A poverty-free, dignified, and sustainable Bangladesh where every citizen enjoys equality, justice, and opportunity.
To ensure the holistic development of marginalized and underserved communities through inclusive microfinance, education, healthcare, environmental stewardship, and livelihood enhancement building a nation where no one is left behind.
We uphold honesty, responsible management, accountability, and transparency in our relationships with communities, partners, employees, and other stakeholders.
We promote equal opportunity, fairness, inclusion, and social justice for all.
We ensure meaningful community participation and ownership in the design and implementation of our programs.
We embrace new ideas, technologies, and approaches that can create more effective and inclusive pathways to development.
We integrate environmental, social, and financial resilience into our programs and organizational operations.
We promote women's empowerment, equal participation, and gender-responsive approaches across our programs and decision-making processes.
SDC is governed through a structured institutional framework that emphasizes accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship.
Our governance structure provides strategic oversight and supports responsible implementation of SDC's development programs.
SDC operates under relevant regulatory and institutional frameworks of the Government of Bangladesh.
| Registration / Authority | Registration Details |
|---|---|
| Department of Social Welfare | 1989 FA 126 |
| NGO Affairs Bureau | 1991 533 |
| Department of Family Planning | 1995-71/95 |
| Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) | 03665-02837-00343 2008 |
From our roots in Faridpur, SDC has expanded its development footprint across 20 districts of Bangladesh.
Our network of 142 branches and 1,194 employees enable us to remain close to the communities we serve and deliver programs according to local needs and priorities.
We work with communities, government institutions, development partners, contributors, and other stakeholders to transform shared challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
SDC is entering the future with a renewed focus on innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships.
We aim to harness digital solutions to improve operational efficiency, strengthen data-driven decision-making, scale successful development models, and expand collaboration with local and global partners.
Our ambition is not simply to reach more people, but to create deeper, more sustainable impact.
As Bangladesh continues to face economic, social, and environmental challenges, SDC remains committed to working with communities and partners to build a future that is more inclusive, resilient, equitable, and sustainable.
We envision a Bangladesh where poverty does not define opportunity, where communities have the power to shape their own future, and where every person can live with dignity, equality, and hope.