The Voice of Colors project was a transformative initiative implemented by Noboprobhaat Foundation in collaboration with Article 19 South Asia and Plan International Bangladesh, with generous support from the European Union. The project was designed to enhance leadership capacity, civic awareness, and social inclusion among rural gender-diverse youth and women in Bangladesh. It focused on empowering them to participate actively in democratic processes and community leadership.

Core activities included comprehensive leadership development training for 30 gender-diverse youth on citizenship, gender equality, digital literacy, and human rights advocacy. The project also used creative community-based interventions such as street drama shows, awareness campaigns, and dialogues to amplify their voices in public spaces. The goal was to foster an environment of empathy, inclusion, and equal opportunity while strengthening democratic values at the grassroots level.

One of the most powerful impacts of the project was the emergence of several youth leaders from diverse and marginalized backgrounds. After receiving training, they began organizing their own awareness campaigns, engaging with local stakeholders, and mentoring peers in their communities. The street drama performances drew large audiences, helping to shift public perception around gender diversity and rights.

A notable achievement was the active participation of local government officials in some events, who publicly committed to promoting inclusive policies. This demonstrated a significant step toward institutional acknowledgment and inclusion of marginalized voices in civic dialogues.

Despite resource constraints, the Noboprobhaat Foundation successfully created a nurturing and empowering space for these youth to lead, advocate, and inspire—strengthening democracy, promoting inclusion, and building hope for a more equitable future.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, rural marginalized communities, especially gender diverse youth and women, were disproportionately affected. Many lost their jobs and experienced domestic abuse and social isolation. Recognizing this crisis, Noboprobhaat Foundation initiated the “Employment for Marginalized Rural Gender Diverse Youth and Women” project, supported by Outright Action International.

The project aimed to create self-employment opportunities through skills training in sewing, garment production, and marketing. Over the course of the project, 42 individuals received two months of hands-on training from professional trainers, covering various aspects of garment design and production. The training followed strict hygiene and safety protocols. After completing the course, each participant received a sewing machine to kickstart their own small-scale business. Noboprobhaat also supported the formation of sales networks to help participants market their products effectively.

The initiative contributed not only to financial empowerment but also to boosting participants’ confidence and social inclusion. It encouraged them to become economically self-reliant and community advocates.

This project successfully trained 42 rural diversified youth and women who were previously unemployed and living in extreme poverty. Through this initiative, they received completely free vocational training and sewing machines, enabling them to launch their own small tailoring businesses. Out of the 42 participants, 35 have successfully established themselves as entrepreneurs in their communities.

This transformation not only provided sustainable employment but also brought significant economic empowerment to individuals who were otherwise vulnerable. In the context of Bangladesh, economic hardship is closely linked to increased gender-based violence. By equipping participants with livelihood skills and resources, the project helped create a protective environment that reduces vulnerability to such violence. This success highlights how targeted, skills-based interventions can offer long-term solutions for both economic empowerment and social protection.

Project Duration:

This project aimed to enhance the capacity of rural gender-diverse youth in Bangladesh by equipping them with knowledge and tools related to the United Nations Human Rights Mechanism. The training sessions focused on practical methods to consolidate their advocacy efforts and effectively engage with both national and international human rights frameworks.

A total of 56 marginalized youth were trained on the various UN mechanisms and how to use them to raise their voices against human rights violations. The program also helped build participants’ understanding of documentation, reporting, and strategic communication related to global advocacy. Through this initiative, the Noboprobhaat Foundation strengthened the foundation of rural-based human rights advocacy among vulnerable youth.

This project successfully trained 52 rural diversified youth who had been facing discrimination based on their gender identity and geographical marginalization. The participants learned how to assert their rights and navigate advocacy channels within national and international forums. The training empowered them with practical advocacy strategies tailored to the UN system. Impressively, around 70% of the trainees have continued their journey as human rights defenders and youth organizers, actively contributing to local and global advocacy efforts. This demonstrates the long-term sustainability and impact of the training.