"Sustainable Organization Building, Land Rights, Agrarian Reform, and Climate Resilience

(SOLAR-CR)."

Across Dinajpur and Thakurgaon

Throughout July 2026, Community Development Association (CDA) continued its grassroots mission across 14 Upazilas in Dinajpur and Thakurgaon districts under the initiative "Sustainable Organization Building, Land Rights, Agrarian Reform, and Climate Resilience (SOLAR-CR)." Guided by the core vision of fostering a Just Society with People-Centered Democracy, Ecological Balance and Land Governance, Gender Equality, and the Economic, Social, Cultural, Civil, and Political Human Rights towards freedom with dignity.

1. Grassroots Institution Building & Good Governance

CDA strongly believes that democratic, self-sustained Peoples Organizations (POs) are the cornerstone of social justice. In July 2026, institutional strengthening efforts included:

·         768 Para-level Samity Meetings, 207 Executive Committee Meetings, and 102 General Assemblies organized to maintain democratic governance at the community tier.

·         7 new primary Samities formed, mobilizing marginalized households into organized collective platforms.

·         19 Peoples Organizations formulated their Annual Action Plans, reinforcing organizational sustainability and leadership autonomy.

·         Staff Coordination & Capacity: 2 central-level and 27 regional-level staff coordination meetings were convened to align strategic priorities and review field operations.

·         Civic Action & Public Administration Engagement: Demonstrating institutional leadership, the Birol Upazila Landless Coordination Committee engaged with the Divisional Forest Officer on July 27, successfully obtaining 100 trees (50 Jarul and 50 Krishnachura) and formally handing them over to the Upazila Administration for roadside beautification and environmental enhancement. In Pirganj Upazila, members of Sarkarpara PO collectively drafted a list of local substance abusers to work alongside local authorities toward building drug-free communities.

2. Land Rights, Agrarian Reform & Public Resource Access

Securing access to Khas land and water bodies remain central to CDA’s agrarian justice agenda:

·         Securing Khas Land & Productive Cultivation: In the Pranongor Unit under the jurisdiction of Birganj Upazila, 44 landless households under Dograi PO successfully asserted their rights and transplanted Aman paddy on 0.80 acres of reclaimed Khas agricultural land. In Amarapur PO of Chirirbandar Upazila, official identification signboards were installed on reclaimed Khas land to secure long-term physical possession.

·         Settlement Applications for Landless Families: A total of 26 landless households officially filed applications for homestead and agricultural Khas land settlements during the month—including 15 families from Rangalipara PO Birganj Upazila, 10 families from Khoyajapur PO of Chirirbandar Upazila, and 10 families from Bonuapara PO of Pirganj Upazila Land Office.

·         Landless Certification: On July 1, 2026, 10 grassroots leaders (5 women from Surjamukhi Women Samity and 5 men from Beli Men Samity) under Mohadebpur PO of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila successfully secured formal Landless Certificates from local authorities.

·         Promoting Transparency through RTI: PO members continued actively using the Right to Information (RTI) Act to access official land records. By July 2026, out of 131 submitted RTI applications seeking Khas land data, 62 applications have been successfully resolved by the designated authorities.

·         Advocacy & Human Rights Memorandums: Federation of Peoples Organization submitted 2 issue-based advocacy memorandums to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh through the local administration demanding equitable land distribution and entitlement protection.

3. Climate Resilience, Ecology & Sustainable Livelihoods

CDA promotes Agro-Ecological integrity and diversified livelihoods to mitigate economic vulnerabilities:

·         Eco-friendly Agro-inputs & Vermicomposting: A total of 106 households produced organic fertilizer this month (July 2026). Notably, in Chirirbandar Upazila, vermicompost production by PO members gained widespread media recognition, featured prominently in the national daily Bangladesh Pratidin on July 5, 2026. Furthermore, 30 members of Beli and Jyotsna Women Samities, Gangua of the PO scaled vermicompost production as a commercial enterprise.

·         Indigenous Seed Preservation: 10 women leaders preserved native, climate-resilient crop and vegetable seeds to protect local biodiversity and ensure household food sovereignty.

·         Reforestation & Biodiversity: Bonraj Men Samity of Dalagram PO and Samadhan Men Samity of Sahadubi PO planted 80 fruit-bearing trees while simultaneously initiating vermicomposting units.

·         Protection of Common-Pool Resources: In Basatpur village of Ranisankail Upazila, vigilant PO members notified the Upazila Fisheries Officer regarding destructive, illegal ring-nets in open water bodies. Mobilized by this report, the local administration intervened and confiscated and incinerated the nets on site.

4. Women’s Economic Empowerment & Social Safety Nets

Women’s collective leadership continues to break systemic barriers through micro-enterprises and social safety net entitlements:

·         Asset Building & Micro-Enterprise: 19 income-generating initiatives (IGAs) were facilitated this month. Dipti Rani of Shapla Women Samity, Baherpara PO reinvested profits from project cattle rearing to purchase goats, diversifying her household assets. Surabala of Beli Women Samity, Raghavpur PO achieved financial self-reliance by launching a local catering venture. 4 members of Golap Women Samity of Mirdangi PO gained economic independence through vocational tailoring. In Haripur Upazila, Yasmin Akhter of Alo Women Samity, Baharampur PO strategically leased 0.17 acres of agricultural land with an investment of BDT 100,000 to scale her agro-production.

·         Social Protection Access: With direct coordination and facilitation by Women Federation of Peoples Organization leader Rekha Akhter, marginalized mothers Masuda Khatun of Velapukur PO and Rubi Akter of Chikni PO successfully accessed official Maternity Allowances through the Department of Women Affairs.

5. Cultural Identity, Commemoration & Mass Communication

Santalo Rebellion Day Observance: On June 30, Amarapur PO of Chirirbandar Upazila organized a solemn observance of Santal Rebellion Day, honoring historic indigenous resistance and reaffirming solidarity with ethnic minority and indigenous community land rights.

6. Publications

·         Jonochesta (Fortnightly Newspaper): 26,000 copies (two editions) published and distributed across the working areas to raise community awareness.

·         CDA Barta (Quarterly Bulletin): 1,000 copies published highlighting programmatic achievements and field case stories.

·         Advocacy Materials: 200 copies produced to support ongoing land reform dialogues and public policy campaigns.

Key Performance Highlights at a Glance (July 2026)

·         768 Samity Meetings Facilitated.

·         309 Executive & General Assembly Meetings by PO’s Held.  

·         106 Families are Organic Fertilizer (Vermicompost) Producing.

·         44 Families are Households with Secured Access to Khas Land/Waterbodies.

·         26 households submitted Khas Land & Homestead Settlement Petitions.

·         Resolved RTI Applications on Khas Land to Date: 62 out of 131.

Conclusion:

Building on the accomplishments of July 2026, CDA’s continued grassroots interventions across Dinajpur and Thakurgaon demonstrate how strengthening community-led organizations directly drives agrarian reform, social justice, and climate resilience. By bridging the gap between marginalized communities and local public administration—from reclaiming vital agricultural Khas land and promoting sustainable Agro-ecological practices to securing social safety nets and advancing women’s entrepreneurship—CDA and its Peoples Organizations reaffirm their commitment to establishing a people-centered, equitable, and sustainable society for all.