Ensuring Access to Safe, Equitable, Inclusive Learning Opportunities for Adolescents and Youth in Camps and Host Communities (BPRM Project)

Save the Children International (SCI), in partnership with UCEP Bangladesh, YPSA, and Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF), is implementing a multi-sectoral initiative funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM) to enhance adolescent and youth well-being in the Rohingya and host communities of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The project emphasizes education, child protection, and livelihood development, targeting children and youth aged 11 to 24 through Community-Based and Hosted-Based Learning Facilities. It supports adolescents transitioning from basic literacy to skill development and facilitates employment for trained youth.

A baseline study was conducted to assess the current status of outcome indicators, community knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward child protection and education, and existing government and NGO initiatives. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 1,230 households across two Upazilas—Ukhiya and Teknaf—including FGDs and KIIs with youth, parents, caregivers, teachers, and local officials.

Findings reveal significant gaps in awareness and access to child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) services, particularly within the Rohingya community. While parenting sessions have improved understanding of child development, over 75% of parents still seek additional support. Children’s awareness of protection services remains low, and many parents exhibit only moderate confidence in supporting their child’s education. In terms of livelihoods, host community youth use mobile banking services widely, unlike their Rohingya counterparts who lack legal documentation. Preferences for receiving project information differ, with the Rohingya community favoring interpersonal communication.

Recommendations include enhancing parenting sessions, improving infrastructure, expanding GBV awareness, enforcing child labor laws, and designing area-specific livelihood strategies. Overall, the project is positioned to bridge critical service gaps, promote youth empowerment, and build social cohesion in these vulnerable communities.