60% of National Projects in Bangladesh Lack Direct Youth Involvement, Study Finds

Despite comprising nearly 30% of Bangladesh’s population, young people remain largely excluded from the nation’s development agenda. A recent participatory study by the Democratic Budget Movement (DBM), supported by ActionAid Bangladesh and the European Union’s ‘Susil’ project, reveals that 60% of national projects have no direct youth involvement. The findings were presented at the third session of the ‘DBM People’s Budget Parliament 2025’ held at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Dhaka.

Key Findings

• Youth Exclusion in Projects: 60% of national projects lack direct youth involvement.
• Marginalised Groups Overlooked: Youth from marginalised communities—including women, ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and those in climate-vulnerable areas—are notably absent from national planning and budgeting processes.
• Lack of Youth-Centric Framework: Although various ministries have allocations for youth, there is no integrated ‘Youth Budget Framework’ to coordinate these efforts.
• Limited Youth Participation: The current budget formulation process is not youth-friendly, participatory, effective, or equitable.

Budget Allocation Snapshot (FY 2024–25)

*Note: While specific allocations exist, the absence of a cohesive framework hampers effective youth engagement.*

Expert Opinions

Professor Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director of the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), stated:

“For years, we’ve highlighted the lack of youth participation in the budget. Despite repeated presentations of similar data by DBM and other organisations, the government remains unresponsive. Political parties must be held accountable to ensure youth are not sidelined.”

Amanur Rahman, Vice-Chair of DBM, noted:

“Youth participation in budget planning is absent, leading to a disconnect between their real challenges and budget policies. Projects related to youth development are scattered across various ministries without central coordination, causing redundancy and neglect of critical sectors.”

Structural Challenges

• Data Deficiency: Bangladesh lacks disaggregated data on youth based on age, gender, location, disability, or education, making targeted budgeting difficult.
• Institutional Weakness: Many local officials are not trained in youth-sensitive budgeting, leading to ineffective implementation at district and sub-district levels.
• Transparency Issues: Information on youth budget allocations and project implementations at local levels is not publicly accessible, limiting participation and accountability.

Recommendations

• Establish Youth Advisory Boards: Form youth advisory boards at local and national levels to ensure direct participation in budget planning.
• Develop District-Specific Plans: Create tailored development plans and budget packages for youth in each district.
• Enhance Mental Health Services: Prioritise mental health services for youth, addressing issues like depression, anxiety, and employment uncertainty.
• Promote Youth Entrepreneurship: Provide collateral-free bank loans for youth-led startups in sectors like renewable energy, smart agriculture, and information technology.
• Increase Budget Allocation: Allocate at least 20% of the upcoming budget to youth development across all sectors.

The study underscores a significant gap between the youth’s potential and their actual involvement in national development projects. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts to create inclusive policies, ensure equitable resource distribution, and foster active youth participation in the nation’s growth trajectory.