Ongoing Projects of RUSTIC

Strategic Objectives • Improve the overall urban environment of Khulna City. • Foster civic responsibility and environmental awareness among urban residents. • Minimize environmental pollution through sustainable practices. • Establish and strengthen community-driven, sustainable municipal solid waste management systems. Current Donor and Partner Agencies • Bangladesh NGO Foundation • RUSTIC (self-contribution) • Community Participation • SHGO (Seven Hills Foundation Global Outreach) • UNDP / GIZ / Khulna City Corporation (KCC) • USAID & Abt Global Project Timeline Initial Launch: March 1997 Status: Ongoing and actively expanding Project Background and Evolution RUSTIC launched the Community-Based Municipal Solid Waste Management Project (CBMSWMP) in March 1997, with actual waste collection operations beginning in June of the same year. Initially, the project targeted two communities in Ward No. 17 as part of a pilot initiative. These included areas of the Sonadanga Residential Zone and adjacent mohallas. Waste Management Committees were established in each community to encourage local ownership and engagement. RUSTIC is actively collecting kitchen garbage from 4,700 households and producing organic compost from these. Its positive effect is visible and this initiative is duplicable as it’s reducing the pollution and helping the farmers and gardeners produce organic products. Current Project Status and Impact Today, RUSTIC independently manages the project, having achieved operational sustainability. The project’s core activities include • Daily door-to-door garbage collection. • Promoting public participation and building awareness around sanitation and hygiene. • Encouraging positive behavior change, including willingness to pay for services to ensure long-term viability. RUSTIC currently collects between 3.0 to 3.5 metric tons of kitchen waste per day, serving approximately 4,700 selected households across Wards No. 16, 17, and 18 of Khulna City Corporation. To support community engagement, RUSTIC has formed 15 Municipal Solid Waste Management Committees, each consisting of 11 members—60% of whom are women. These committees meet monthly to monitor progress, address community feedback, and strengthen implementation. The active involvement of residents, including a modest monthly service charge (BDT 20–200) based on income level, helps finance the wages of waste collectors and cover operational expenses. Importantly, the young boys engaged in waste collection are also enrolled in RUSTIC’s Non-Formal Education Program or nearby community schools, ensuring that their livelihoods do not come at the cost of their education. This compassionate, community-supported model has fostered a deep bond between residents and waste collectors- many households now offer gifts of food, clothing, and other support as a gesture of appreciation. RUSTIC remains committed to further enhancing the scope and efficiency of the program through collaboration, innovation, and continued community engagement. The success of this initiative reflects a scalable, inclusive model of urban environmental management that places people at the center of sustainable change. RUSTIC has the Government’s permission to operate in the concerned area. The area coverage is total city corporation. Through aerobic composting system it’s producing 1200-1400 kg compost per day. Which is directly delivered to the farmers and gardeners.

The Shahpur Bazar Waste Management Program, operated by RUSTIC, is a pioneering initiative focused on transforming organic market waste into valuable compost through an environmentally sound and community-driven approach. Situated in the heart of Shahpur Bazar, a densely populated and economically vibrant area, this program addresses the urgent need for sustainable waste disposal solutions while promoting circular economy practices. The primary objective of the program is to reduce the volume of biodegradable waste generated in the marketplace and surrounding areas by converting it into organic compost. This not only helps minimize the environmental burden of unmanaged organic waste but also supports local agriculture by producing nutrient-rich soil enhancers. The compost plant is designed to handle a daily intake of organic market waste, including vegetable peels, spoiled fruits, cow dung and other biodegradable materials, collected through market and vendor-based waste segregation efforts. RUSTIC has established a systematic process that begins with awareness campaigns and vendor engagement to ensure effective waste separation at the source. The collected organic waste is transported to the Shahpur composting site, where it undergoes aerobic decomposition under controlled conditions. Within weeks, the waste is processed into high-quality compost that is then packaged and made available for local farmers and gardeners at affordable prices. The program not only serves an environmental purpose but also creates livelihood opportunities for local waste workers, especially women and youth, who are involved in collection, sorting, and compost production. RUSTIC ensures that all involved personnel receive basic training in hygiene, safety, and composting techniques to maintain operational efficiency and product quality. Through this initiative, RUSTIC is demonstrating a scalable model for community-based organic waste management that integrates environmental conservation with economic empowerment. The Shahpur Bazar Compost Plant stands as a practical example of how decentralized waste management can lead to cleaner markets, improved soil fertility, and healthier urban-rural ecosystems. Key Features of the Program • Reduction of biodegradable waste through composting, minimizing landfill dependency. • Daily organic waste collection from Shahpur Bazar and adjacent communities. • Community engagement and awareness campaigns for effective waste segregation at the source. • Use of aerobic composting technology to produce high-quality, eco-friendly compost. • Support to local agriculture through affordable access to organic fertilizers. • Creation of green jobs for marginalized community members, including women and youth. • Training and capacity building in waste management, hygiene, and environmental stewardship. • Scalable model for replication in other marketplaces and semi-urban areas.

RUSTIC’s Education and Human Development Program is designed to break the cycle of poverty and marginalization through inclusive learning opportunities and skill development. Focused on some of the most vulnerable populations- including slum-dwelling adolescent girls and out-of-school children-this program equips individuals with the tools they need to lead empowered, self-sustaining lives. It reflects RUSTIC’s deep commitment to education as a catalyst for personal growth, social equity, and long-term community development. Sustainable Development of Slum-Migrant Adolescent Girls through Non-Formal Education and IGA Vocational Training This sub-program is specifically designed to support adolescent girls from slum areas, particularly those who have migrated with their families in search of economic opportunities. These young girls often lack access to formal education, vocational training, and a safe space for personal development. Key Features: • Non-formal education centers provide flexible and context-sensitive learning that bridges the gap for girls excluded from traditional schooling. • Vocational training in tailoring, embroidery, handicrafts, and basic entrepreneurship equips them with market-relevant skills. • Life skills education, including sessions on health, hygiene, rights awareness, and gender equality, builds confidence and agency. • Peer support and counseling nurture emotional resilience and social integration. • Job linkage and livelihood support help transition trained girls into income-generating opportunities. This initiative ensures that adolescent girls become self-reliant, literate, and capable of contributing meaningfully to their families and communities.

Access to safe water and improved sanitation is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health. RUSTIC’s Water and Sanitation Program is designed to ensure clean, affordable, and sustainable water and sanitation services for marginalized and vulnerable communities, particularly in the coastal and disaster-prone regions of Khulna. The program addresses the urgent challenges faced by communities where salinity intrusion, waterlogging, and lack of infrastructure severely limit access to potable water and hygienic sanitation facilities. With a focus on women, children, and disadvantaged groups, the initiative promotes both health security and dignity. Key Components of the Program: • Installation of Safe Water Sources: Including deep tube wells, rainwater harvesting systems, and set up storage tank for safe water. • Sanitation Infrastructure Development: Construction of gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive latrines in households, schools, and public areas. • Hygiene Promotion Campaigns: Community sessions, school-based programs, and behavior change communication activities to promote handwashing, menstrual hygiene, and safe sanitation practices. • Community Ownership and Training: Formation of Water and Sanitation Committees to ensure community involvement, maintenance, and sustainability of installed facilities. • Emergency Response: Distribution of water purification tablets and hygiene kits during natural disasters to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks. • Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular quality checks of water sources and impact assessments to improve service delivery and adapt to changing community needs. Through this program, RUSTIC has improved the quality of life for thousands of families by reducing disease risks, supporting girls’ education through better sanitation in schools, and promoting a culture of cleanliness and health. The initiative plays a vital role in advancing Sustainable Development, while also contributing to broader health, education, and gender equality outcomes.

The Agriculture Technology Transfer Program aims to enhance the productivity and sustainability of smallholder and marginal farmers by introducing them to advanced, cost-effective, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Recognizing that traditional farming methods alone are insufficient in today’s climate-vulnerable and competitive context; RUSTIC works to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and grassroots practice. • Training on modern cultivation methods with organic compost and other tools. • Demonstration plots for new seed varieties and irrigation techniques. • Farmer field schools and exposure visits. • Linkage with agricultural extension services and local markets. Through this program, farmers receive hands-on training on modern tools, drought- and salinity-resistant crop varieties, organic composting, integrated pest management, and climate-smart irrigation systems such as drip and rainwater harvesting. Demonstration plots are established to showcase new techniques, and Farmer Field Schools serve as hubs for knowledge-sharing. This initiative not only increases food production but also improves household income and community nutrition.

The Women Development Program is a core component of RUSTIC’s vision for gender-inclusive development. The program addresses the multidimensional barriers faced by women, especially those from rural and marginalized communities, by equipping them with education, economic resources, leadership skills, and awareness of their rights. • Functional literacy and leadership development • Access to modern learning and entrepreneurship support • Skill development in tailoring, handicrafts, and agro-processing • Formation of women’s groups and self-help cooperatives RUSTIC forms women’s self-help groups to promote collective empowerment and provides vocational training in areas such as tailoring, food processing, and handicrafts. Women are also supported with microcredit, entrepreneurship training, and market linkage services. Furthermore, the program conducts awareness sessions on reproductive health, legal rights, and gender-based violence, creating a safe and supportive environment for women to assert their voices and lead change within their families and communities.

RUSTIC believes that informed citizens and voters are the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy and transparent governance. During 2024–2025, RUSTIC intensified civic awareness in Khulna City Corporation (Wards 16, 17, and 18), providing non-partisan educational sessions to under-represented citizens. Campaign Initiatives First-Time Voter Outreach: Special campus and youth club workshops teaching democratic ethics, ballot secrecy, and the civic duty of voting. Women’s Electoral Participation: Dedicated mohalla meetings encouraging female heads of households to exercise their franchise independently. Voter ID & Registration Guidance: Assisting marginalized slum residents with National ID correction, voter list verification, and polling booth navigation.

Urgency of the Issue Child marriage and dowry demands remain critical social barriers in impoverished rural and slum communities. They result in premature maternal mortality, chronic malnutrition, school dropouts, and gender-based domestic violence. RUSTIC’s program works at the grassroots level to dismantle these harmful traditions. Community Mobilization Strategies Kazi & Religious Leader Engagement: Seminars with marriage registrars and Imams on strict verification of birth certificates before marriage solemnization. Adolescent Girls Watchdog Forums: Equipping schoolgirls with emergency mobile hotlines (109, 999) to alert authorities when peer marriages are arranged. Community Pledges: Mobilizing village elders and Union Parishad members to publicly declare villages free of child marriage and dowry.

RUSTIC deems education as an important tool for fighting poverty through the improvement of socio-cultural and economic growth opportunities. It has been providing non-formal education, vocational and skill development training, and Income-Generating Activity (IGA) training to adolescent girls from migrant families residing in Wards 17 and 18 of Sonadanga slum under Khulna City Corporation. The educational program operates on a two-semester annual schedule to serve socially marginalized communities and children engaged in hazardous labor, including adult education. Since 2011, Seven Hills Global Outreach (SHGO) has been supporting this adolescent girls' education project, enabling the establishment of a new school building and the acquisition of necessary educational and vocational equipment. Training sessions are conducted at RUSTIC’s dedicated facility, the Dr. kathee- Jordan Training Center, operated in partnership with Seven Hills Foundation. In addition to capacity building, emergency support is regularly extended to these vulnerable families. Assistance includes the distribution of winter clothing as well as financial aid during periods of severe waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall or other natural disruptions that leave community members unable to work. These interventions serve as vital emergency relief measures. The project is implemented with the direct participation and cooperation of the residents of Sonadanga slum. Through this project, adolescent girls receive training in tailoring, batik and boutique work, beauty parlor management, small enterprise development, nokshi kantha embroidery, and handicrafts. Upon completing the training, a majority of the girls secure employment in garment factories, while others initiate their own small business enterprises. Consequently, this initiative creates sustainable self-employment opportunities and drives financial independence. Furthermore, within these beneficiary families, rates of child marriage and violence against women have significantly decreased, empowering young women to make informed, independent decisions about their own lives.

RUSTIC believes that voters have a key role in ensuring and strengthening the democracy of a country. As a result, in 2024-2025, RUSTIC worked to create awareness among the people in Wards 17, 18 and 19 under Khulna City Corporation with the aim of creating voter education and awareness along with other programs being implemented. Key Features of the Program: • Educate voters about the electoral process, voting rights, and responsibilities. • Increase voter turnout, especially among first-time voters, marginalized communities, and youth. • Promote informed voting by encouraging evaluation of candidates and parties based on issues and policies. • Combat misinformation and reduce the influence of money, coercion, or manipulation in elections. • Strengthen democracy by encouraging citizen participation and trust in the electoral process.

To ensure every child has a strong foundation for lifelong learning, RUSTIC runs the Primary Child Education Program, and targeting children from marginalized, low-income families who are often deprived of formal education. Key Features: • Community-based non-formal primary schools that offer flexible schedules and child-centered pedagogy. • Qualified local teachers are trained to engage students through interactive and culturally relevant teaching methods. • Enrollment drives are conducted to identify and include out-of-school children, particularly girls and children with disabilities. • Mid-day snacks and school supplies encourage attendance and reduce the financial burden on families. • Transition support to formal schools for children completing the non-formal curriculum. This program has helped hundreds of underprivileged children develop literacy, numeracy, and social skills, laying the groundwork for better life outcomes and access to formal education systems. Together, these two components of RUSTIC’s Education and Human Development Program aim to build a more equitable, educated, and resilient society, where both children and adolescents are empowered to shape their futures with dignity and confidence.

This awareness program is designed to combat two deeply rooted social issues- early marriage and the dowry system- that disproportionately affect girls and young women. These practices not only violate human rights but also perpetuate cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequality. • Community dialogues and school-based awareness campaigns. • Street theatre and storytelling sessions. • Workshops for parents, teachers, and religious leaders. • Establishing support networks and referral mechanisms. RUSTIC works at the grassroots level to educate parents, community leaders, teachers, and adolescents on the harmful consequences of child marriage and dowry. Through storytelling, street theater, community discussions, and school-based awareness campaigns, the organization fosters dialogue and builds resistance against these practices. The program also promotes legal awareness and access to support services, helping communities adopt progressive values and protect the rights of girls.