TIB's Grassroots Anti-Corruption Work Draws High-Level USAID Attention in Sylhet

Published: 16 January 2025

Transparency International Bangladesh's Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCC) demonstrated its robust community engagement initiatives through a series of activities in Sylhet's healthcare sector. At the Union Health and Family Welfare Centre in Moglabazar, TIB organized a community action meeting that brought together a diverse group of 111 participants, with strong female representation of 61 women alongside 50 men and 3 participants from marginalized communities.

TIB's innovative PACTA project showcased the successful integration of multiple grassroots initiatives, including Youth Engagement & Support (YES) groups and Active Citizens Groups (ACGs). A key highlight was the demonstration of TIB's PACTApp at the Union Health and Family Welfare Centre. PACTApp is a digital tool that enables systematic community monitoring and evidence-based advocacy for better healthcare services. Members of YES and ACG showcased the app’s potential to revolutionize community monitoring through data-driven advocacy. They walked the USAID team through the monitoring process, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities presented by this innovative tool. “The PACTApp empowers us to hold systems accountable with evidence-based insights,” a YES member explained, emphasizing its role in amplifying community voices.

Through an advocacy meeting with the Upazila Health Authority, TIB facilitated constructive dialogue between community members and health officials, leading to commitments for implementing corrective measures in healthcare delivery. The coordination meeting between CCC, YES, and ACG members further strengthened the collective resolve to combat corruption through social movement.

A high-level USAID delegation, including directors and specialists from Democracy, Human Rights and Governance, visited these initiatives on January 15, 2025, The USAID delegation's visit to Sylhet showcased how TIB's grassroots initiatives, particularly through CCC and its partners, are transforming community advocacy. Through innovative tools like PACTApp and collaborative efforts between various stakeholder groups, TIB demonstrated that local communities can effectively drive accountability and transparency in public services, making Sylhet a model for community-driven social change.

In the coordination meeting, key stakeholders from CCC, YES, and ACG shared insights and strategies to bolster their anti-corruption initiatives. Their passionate dialogue reflected a shared commitment to driving social change, with participants embracing their role as active changemakers in the community.