ENHANCING LOCAL ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE
The Bangladesh private sector has an important role to play in generating income and employment opportunities for the poor. Small and micro enterprises represent the largest proportion of private enterprise, and the Foundation's survey research shows that many of the challenges these businesses face are related to an unresponsive public sector. The capacity of government officials to deliver necessary market reforms is low, while at the same time the ability of small businesses and the informal associations that represent them to demand and influence reforms is also weak. After completing a successful 18-month pilot program to strengthen the advocacy capacity of small businesses and assist local government officials to better implement reforms, the Foundation has launched a two-year program that will expand the proven model for entrepreneurs, business associations, and local officials to new areas.
IMPROVING SECURITY AND BUILDING TRUST THROUGH COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING
While 2007 saw a marked improvement in public perception of the security environment after an interim Caretaker Government assumed power under a state of emergency, ordinary Bangladeshis remain vulnerable to crime and distrustful of local police. The Foundation promotes improved public security through its milestone community-oriented policing (COP) program. The COP program facilitates collaborative working relations between citizens and police at the local level. The pilot program has helped create trust and cooperation among facilitating NGOs, police, and citizens and has reduced crime in the communities served. These successes and the work by the Foundation and local partners to raise awareness of COP among senior police officials has resulted in a national police initiative to introduce community policing throughout Bangladesh.