The SMILE project is essential due to the socio-economic challenges faced by the target regions in Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Dhaka and Sunamganj. These areas often grapple with limited access to quality education, resulting in academic disparities and limited career opportunities for local youth. High levels of poverty and financial need make it difficult for deserving students to access education and pursue their aspirations. Additionally, the lack of specialized coaching and resources for subjects under the national curriculum has hindered the overall academic performance of students. The project also addresses broader issues such as limited employment prospects, cooperative governance, healthcare access, and environmental conservation in these regions, enhancing the quality of life and fostering community development.
The SMILE project offers a multi-faceted solution to the educational and socio-economic needs of the target regions. Its theory of change involves identifying deserving students, providing them with scholarships, targeted educational campaigns, and coaching support, and enhancing teacher training to improve academic performance. The project fosters capacity development by identifying in-demand professions and industries, offering skill development opportunities, and promoting self-employment. It also supports cooperative governance, micro savings, health campaigns, environmental conservation, and emergency relief services.
Key stakeholders include local education authorities, school and college administration committees, local education offices, financial institutions, edtech companies, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, local schools and colleges, local business associations, universities, financial institutions, government and non-government organizations of the Government of Bangladesh.
The beneficiaries of the project are deserving students, local youth, primary and secondary school teachers, cooperative executive committee members, community members, and individuals in need of healthcare and environmental support.
The most important activities include scholarship identification and distribution, educational campaigns, coaching support, teacher training, market surveys, skill development initiatives, self-employment and entrepreneurship programs, financial support for youth, technological innovations, health campaigns, environmental conservation efforts, and emergency relief services in collaboration with various stakeholders.
Expected results and impact