Pallitathya

Development Research Network (D.Net) and Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) signed an agreement to implement the project titled "Abolombon II Empowering people and Alleviating Poverty through Improved Access to Livelihood Information".The signing ceremony was held at MJF office on May 1, 2007 Ms. Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of MJF and Dr. Ananya Raihan, Executive Director of D.Net had signed the agreement on behalf of two organizations.

Among others Mr. Mahmud Hasan, Programme Director, D.Net and Ms. Sanjida Sobhan, Program manager, MJF was present at the ceremony.

Goal of the project to spread the experience of the project titled Abolombon- Empowering People through Improved Access to Information on Governance and Human Rights to new locations of Bangladesh with focus on local ownership and sustainability. The proposed project will be dedicated to development of D.Net's capacity as a hub of information and knowledge base, cost-effective and relevant technology solutions and capacity building of local social entrepreneurs, so that D.Net can support a large number of Pallitathya Kendra's, established with full or joint local ownership and also providing support to a number of organisations and groups for establishment and operation of Pallitathya Kendra, where support of recurring cost will be provided with a diminishing share of D.Net over a period of three years so that centers can operate on their own.

Under this project D.Net is going to establish 25 Community-based Pallitathya Kendra (PK) in collaboration with local NGO's and self help groups to ensure greater access to information and knowledge which are relevant to their livelihood.

D.Net assist the local organisations as well as informadiaries by developing their capacity throw training , mobilization, content and help desk support. Local partners are investing for infrastructure and operational cost of the Pallitathya Kendra. In some cases D.Net provide some support to few organizations in meeting the operational expenses.

The project started in March 2007 and will end up in February 2010.