Organization Profile

DHRUBA began in 2001 when a group of young social workers in southwest Bangladesh came together in response to the exclusion experienced by Dalit and other disadvantaged communities. They formed a non-government, non-political and non-religious organization grounded in sustainable development and empowerment.

The name DHRUBA is associated with a guiding star in Bangla. The organization received formal recognition in 2004 and registered with Bangladesh’s NGO Affairs Bureau in 2012.

DHRUBA follows a participatory, group-based approach to planning and decision-making. Communities identify priorities, discuss challenges, take action, monitor progress and identify new needs, with an emphasis on self-reliance and empowerment.