NED · BANGLADESH — 16 grants, $3.9M
Key claim: The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has 16 active grants totaling $3.9 million supporting democracy, youth participation, human rights, and freedom of expression in Bangladesh.
Abstract
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has 16 active grants in BANGLADESH totaling $3.9M (public listing as of 2026-07-15). Grantee names are largely withheld for grantee safety (NED duty of care). Sample projects: To promote worker participation in legislative and policymaking Promoting Youth Participation in Democracy and Elections ($317.0K); Advancing Accountability and Transparency Through the Right to Information ($120.0K); Building Youth Capacity to Promote and Protect Human Rights ($275.5K); Promoting Freedom of Expression for Democratic Change ($325.0K).
Why this matters
Bangladesh is a politically contested South Asian state where the ruling party’s suppression of opposition, media, and civil society has drawn sustained international criticism; a dedicated NED country portfolio of $3.9M across 16 grants signals US-backed democracy support flowing to youth, RTI/accountability, and free-expression actors there. Mapping this program alongside NED’s Pakistan and Asia Regional portfolios helps trace the pass-through chain from the State Department’s $315M NED Act obligation to on-the-ground grantees. Grantee identities are largely withheld for safety, so onward trails should be documented as they surface.