Abstract

The case details the growth strategies of one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the world, BRAC based at Bangladesh. It was started to rehabilitate refugees in the newly independent Bangladesh and went on to provide microfinance facilities to enable poor engage in income generating activities. It then extended its programs to target poorest of the poor and also the moderately poor. The case also details other programs of BRAC including micro insurance, healthcare and education. After achieving success in Bangladesh, BRAC extended its poverty alleviation programs to other countries in Asia and Africa.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Examine the origin and expansion of BRAC
• Understand various microfinance programs run by BRAC
• Critically examine the benefits of healthcare, micro-insurance and education programs of BRAC
• Analyze the backward and forward linkages provided by BRAC and examine their benefits
• Study the performance of BRAC’s operations in other countries

Keywords

BRAC, Microfinance Programs, Fazle Hasan Abed, Village Organizations, The Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, Bangladesh Rehabilitations Assistance Committee, Dabi, Progoti, Unnoti, Micro Enterprise Lending and Assistance Program, Enterprise Development Program, Vulnerable Group Feeding Program, World Food Program, Income Generation for Vulnerable Groups Development Program, BRAC's Microfinance Canvas, Essential Health Care Program, National Tuberculosis Control Program, Micro Health Insurance, Adolescent Development Program