BRAC Economic Development Programme provides the cornerstone for all of BRAC’s development work. It uses a participatory, peer supported and multisectoral strategy to offer poor rural women the skills and opportunity to achieve sustainable improvement in their livelihoods, and attain dignity and self-reliance. This programme covers microfinance, institution building, income generating activities and programme support enterprises.

Village Organisations

BRAC believes that a common platform created and owned by the poor themselves is a crucial prerequisite whereby the poor can make themselves count in the development process. The Village Organisation (VO) is an association of poor, landless people who come together with the help of BRAC to improve their socio-economic position. The VO promotes a structured organisation of the rural poor with particular emphasis on women’s participation. The main goal of the VO is to strengthen the capacity of the poor for sustainable development and enable the poor to participate in the national development process. The VO is also the link between rural people and BRAC.