Skills Development & Livelihood Program
About SDLP
The Skills Development & Livelihood Program (SDLP) is a transformative initiative of EDAS aimed at equipping vulnerable members of the Rohingya and host communities in Bangladesh with practical, income-generating skills. Operating across five dedicated training centers, the program addresses both immediate livelihood challenges and long-term economic empowerment. Through this program, EDAS contributes to poverty reduction, self-reliance, and the rebuilding of dignity among conflict-affected and marginalized populations.
In 2024 alone, over 700 trainees successfully completed a six-month comprehensive training, receiving instruction in areas such as sewing, embroidery (nakshi kantha), beadwork, solar panel repair, and gas stove maintenance. Alongside technical skills, the program also integrates Psychological counseling and motivational support, particularly for trauma-affected individuals, to promote mental resilience and social cohesion.
Beneficiary Profile
👩🦱 Rohingya Youth & Women
Aged 15–40, seeking skills for self-reliance.🧑🤝🧑 Host Community Members
Facing economic challenges and joblessness.🧠 Trauma-Affected Individuals
Survivors of displacement and psychological distress.👩👧 Women-Headed Households
Single mothers and female caretakers needing support.♿ Persons with Disabilities
Included where possible, with adaptive learning.
What we offer!
Vocational
Training
Women receive hands-on training in sewing, nakshi kantha embroidery, bead craft, and household repairs to enhance employability.
Technical
Training
Male trainees learn solar panel and gas stove repair skills, meeting local demand and boosting livelihood opportunities in the camp.
Psychological Counseling
Trainees receive trauma counseling, emotional support, and motivational sessions to build resilience and mental wellness after displacement experiences.
Toolkits &
Graduation Support
Graduates receive essential toolkits and post-training support to launch small-scale businesses or engage in self-reliant income-generating activities.
Market
Linkage
EDAS connects skilled trainees to local job markets inside the camp, promoting employment, income, and long-term sustainability.
Impact at a Glance
700+
Graduates in 2024
05
SDLP Centers
70%
Women Participation
150+
Startups Supported
100+
Toolkit Distribution
Regular Mental
Health Support
Success Story
Nur Arif
Sewing & Craft Training Graduate
“I am Nur Arif. At the EDAS training center, I’ve been learning sewing, nakshi kantha, and beadwork. The Burmese military severely abused us and I became mentally ill. But after counseling sessions at the center, I’ve been feeling much better. I now dream of earning my own living and helping others.”
Nur Sourav
Solar Panel & Gas Stove Repair Trainee
“I’m Nur Sourav. At EDAS’s center, I’m learning to repair solar panels and gas stoves. Many boys in the camp are unemployed and end up struggling or getting into trouble. There’s a big demand for these repair skills inside the camp. After finishing my training, I hope to start earning and helping my family, InshaAllah.”
Partners
