SMALL ETHNIC & VULNERABLE COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (SEVCDF)

For

Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement

Project (RELIP)

JANUARY 2021
SEVCDF Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project

Table of Contents
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... iii
Executive Summary........................................................................................................................... iv
Chapter 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Project Description ............................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Components of the RELI project ........................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2: Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development Framework .................................... 4
2.1 Rational ................................................................................................................................................. 4
2.2 Scope and Objectives of SEVCDF .......................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Project’s SEVC Development Policy: ..................................................................................................... 4
2.4 Small Ethnic Communities Development Plan (SECVDP) ..................................................................... 5
2.5 Socioeconomic Characteristics & Concerns.......................................................................................... 5
2.5.1 Social & Cultural Characteristics ................................................................................................... 5
2.5.2 Economic Characteristics .............................................................................................................. 6
2.6 Inclusion Criteria / Definition of SEC/IP ................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 3: Legal Framework and Regulations...................................................................................... 7
3.1 Constitutional Rights of Small Ethnic Communities ............................................................................. 7
3.2 Other Laws and Policies in Bangladesh ................................................................................................ 7
3.3 World Bank Policy on Indigenous Peoples............................................................................................ 7
Chapter 4. Ethnic Minorities in Bangladesh ......................................................................................... 9
4.1 Total population and number of ethnic groups in Bangladesh ............................................................ 9
4.2 The Small Ethnic Community and Vulnerable Peoples in the project areas ........................................ 9
Chapter 5: Information Disclosure, Participation, Consultation.......................................................... 10
5.1 Information Disclosure ...................................................................................................................... 10
5.2 Public Consultation and Participation ................................................................................................ 10
Chapter 6: Grievance Redress Mechanisms ....................................................................................... 12
Chapter 7: Institutional Arrangements .............................................................................................. 14
Annex 1: Technical Guidelines for Consultation and Preparation of SEVCDP...................................... 16
Annex 2: Small Ethnic Community Development Plan ....................................................................... 19
Annex 3: Preliminary Screening of Small Ethnic Communities ........................................................... 21
Annex – 4: List of different small ethnic community groups as per various laws and study/surveys .... 22

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Abbreviations

AMT Appraisal and Monitoring Team

CBO Community Based Organization
CC Climate Change
CERC Contingent Emergency Response Component
CHT Chittagong Hill Tracts
COM Community Operations Manual
CSO Civil Society Organizations
DO Director of Operations
DPs Development Partners
EA Executing agency
EA Environmental Assessment
ESA Environmental and Social Assessment
ESF Environmental and Social Framework
ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework
ESS Environmental and Social Standard
GBV Gender Based Violence
GEMS Geo-Enabling initiative for Monitoring and Supervision
GoB Government of Bangladesh
GRC Grievance Redress Committee
GRM Grievance Redress Management
GRS Grievance Redress Service
IA Implementing agency
ICT Information and Communications Technology
IGA Income-Generating Activities
IP Indigenous peoples
LMS Loan Management System
MD Managing Director
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MoF Ministry of Finance
NGLIP Nuton Jibon Livelihood Improvement Project
NGO Non-government organization
POM Project Operations Manual
PIU Project Implementation Unit
RELI Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement
SA Social Assessment
SDF Social Development Foundation
SDS Social Development Specialist
SEC Small Ethnic Community
SEP Stakeholders’ Engagement Plan
SEVCDF Small Ethnic Community Development Framework
SEVCDP Small Ethnic Community Development Plan
SIA Social Impact Assessment
SMT Strategic Management Team (SMT)
WB World Bank

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Executive Summary

Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (RELIP) by Social Development

Foundation (SDF), an autonomous “not-for-profit” Trust under the Ministry of Finance, is prepared a
follow-up project of its flagship Notun Jibon Livelihood Improvement Project (NJLIP). The overarching
aim of RELIP is to improve the livelihoods of the poor and extreme poor, enhance their resilience and
support rural entrepreneurship in project areas by reaching over 750,000 direct beneficiaries, of which
90% will be women.
The project will cover 3200 villages in 20 districts and the support will comprise, among other, one-time
additional cash transfer grant who may have fallen back into poverty because of the ongoing pandemic.
It is expected that a certain number of project beneficiaries may belong to indigenous people or ethnic
minority groups in some regions although population numbers are small, as indicated in the table.
Nonetheless, where such population groups are residing, the project would apply its SEVCDF. The main
objective is to mitigate the potential negative impacts of the project on their livelihood vis-à-vis their
religious, cultural and social organizations/institutions. In other words, the project should not, in any
way, hamper or minimize those on their traditional value system.
In summary, the project will respond to the following urgent needs: (i) Respond to the impact of the
crises on the livelihood of vulnerable rural households and support recovery and resilience-building; (ii)
Help rural households graduate out of poverty through income-generating activities (IGA); (iii) Support
NJLIP’s current beneficiaries who had graduated from poverty pre-crisis but have fallen back into
poverty because of the crisis; and (iv) Support rural entrepreneurship for sustained post-COVID-19-crisis
economic recovery. RELIP will have 4 components, as follows:
i. Component A: Community Institutions and Livelihood Development
ii. Component B: Business Development and Institutional Strengthening
iii. Component C: Project Management, Monitoring and Learning
iv. Component D: Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC)

Mapping the project stakeholders is the primary task in preparing a SEP. During the NJLIP’s it’s IPPF
reviewed the project’s geographical area to determine the extent of tribal/ indigenous population living
in the districts under the project. The IPPF collected information from secondary sources (BBS
Bangladesh Population Statistics, 2007, and Banglapedia, 2006) and observed the ethnic nationals in the
SDF project areas The RELI-P project will engage with a broad range of stakeholders and below they
are(Annex 2) identified according to their level of engagement and importance with the project.

Rational, Scope and Objectives of the Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development
Framework (SECVDF): The Environmental and Social Standard (ESS) 7 of the World Bank ensures full
respect for the human rights, dignity, aspirations, identity, culture, and natural resource-based
livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples as well as of the local communities. The ESS7 is also meant to avoid
adverse impacts of projects on Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved
Traditional Local Communities, or when avoidance is not possible, to minimize, mitigate and/or
compensate for such impacts. In line with the Bank’s ESS 7, this Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community
Development Framework (SEVCDF) has been developed to ensure that their needs are addressed in
project planning and implementation through meaningful consultations with SEVCs.

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Small Ethnic Communities Development Plan (SECVDP): The SEVCDP shall be prepared for each
district where the small ethnic minority and vulnerable population constitutes more than 5% of the
population. Therefore, the preparation also aims to design a comprehensive development process of
respect for dignity, human rights, and cultural integrity of the SEVCs. The SEVCDP will be prepared
considering the effects of the project activities on ethnic communities which will include ethnic and
demographic characteristics of the affected community, prevailing institutions, e.g. family, religion,
language, education, social stigma, and plan to accommodate local tradition of leadership ideas, gender
issues, civil society and NGOs in the implementation design. The points also include impacts of
preexisting formal and informal institutions and incorporation of active consultation and communication
of the ethnic communities to achieve their participation and agreement on the project inputs and
mitigation plan.

Inclusion Criteria / Definition of SEC/IP: The project, for its interventions, will adopt the World
Bank’s criteria for identification of small ethnic communities which are as follows:
1. Self-identification as ‘indigenous peoples’ by the concerned community/group
2. Distinct social and cultural traditions, belief system and lifestyles are different to the majority
community
3. A distinct language different from the official language of the country or the language of the
majority
4. A distinct history of living in a particular area/territory of the country before the in-migration by
the majority in that area even though although such in-migration have (or have not) rendered
them into a status of a numerical minority
The former exercise (i.e. IPPF and the IPP) considered:
1. The ethnic and demographic characteristics of the affected population
2. The prevailing intuitions as family, religion, language and education and other indigenous
variables and social stigma
3. The IPP should accommodate the local traditional leadership (as headman, karbari), gender
issues, and civil and NGOs in their implementation plan
4. The land ownership pattern and availability of required land
5. Consulting rehabilitation and resettlement scheme as per the technical proposal
6. The expected positive and negative impacts on the prevailing institution both formal and
informal
7. The mitigation schemes of adverse effect
8. To ensure their participation and approval of their implementation of project inputs and
mitigation plan.
Small Ethnic Communities in Bangladesh: The total number of small ethnic community groups in
Bangladesh is a matter of much disagreement. The 1991 census mentions 29 existing Indigenous groups.
The recently adopted Small Ethnic Minority Cultural Institution Act (April 2010) mentions 27 different
groups. The Bangladesh Adivasi Forum (BAF) includes as many as 45 small ethnic community groups as
per one of their publications (Solidarity, 2003).
According to the most recent 2011 Census, the country’s ethnic minority population is 1,586,141 (with
797,477 men and 788,664 women). However, according to BAF, apex advocacy and a networking
organization of the ethnic minorities, 3 million tribal peoples are residing in Bangladesh. But by any
estimate, tribal peoples constitute no more than between 1-2% of the total population of Bangladesh.

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A significant number of the ethnic groups inhabit the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), a hilly region in the
south-eastern border of Bangladesh. The other regions where small communities live are Dinajpur,
Rajshahi, greater Mymensingh, Patuakhali-Barguna-Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet and Moulvibazar Districts, as well
as in Jessore and Khulna Districts).
The Small Ethnic Community and Vulnerable Peoples in the project areas: The main small ethnic
groups in the RELIP coverage areas are:
Major Ethnic Groups Districts
Tripura, Rakhine Barishal, Pirojpur, Chandpur, Chattogram
Santal, Oraon, Munda, Malo, Mahato, Pahari, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, Chanpainawabganj, Magura,
Rajbonsi, Teli and Mahali, Jhenidah, Laxmipur
Rajbonshi, Khasia, Meithei, Manipuri, Patro, Sylhet, Kurigram, Sherpur, Patuakhali, Naogaon,
Pahari and Tripura Khulna, Nilphamari
Garo, Koch Barman, Hajong, Banai, Hadi Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, Netrokona,

Information Disclosure, Participation, Consultation: The draft SEVCDF will be disclosed on SDF’s
websites, along with Bangla translation of the executive summary. The final draft of SEVCDF also will be
disclosed on the World Bank’s website before the appraisal.
The achievement of SEVCDF objectives will very much depend on ensuring the participation of SEVCs in
the selection, designing and implementation process of the project. SDF will ensure consultations with
the affected SEVCs and as well as knowledgeable persons on the SEVCs development issues and
concerns. To achieve impactful participation, SDF will maintain a well-structured routine to consult the
would-be affected SEVCs at different steps of the project.

Grievance Redress Mechanisms: SDF will run a three-tiered Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
as part of the project: at Head Office, Regional Office and District/Field Offices. At each tier, a grievance
redress committee (GRC) will be set up comprising of 3-5 members, and in the district/field level, the
GRC will include a member from the ethnic communities where there are beneficiaries from these
communities.

Institutional Arrangements
SDF will be the executing agency of the RELI project. Managing Director will be overall responsible for
the implementation of the SEVCDF and the subsequent SEVCDPs. Director, Operations will be
responsible at the operational level for the implementation along with his team and this s/he will
receive the necessary support from the other operational units (such as Good Governance and
Accountability, Monitoring, etc.). Further, SDF will depute specific officials or recruit from the market a
Social Development Specialist (SDS) for ESMF and SEVCDF.

Monitoring and Reporting: SDF is responsible for the monitoring and reporting and this purpose, will
maintain dis-aggregated data on the beneficiaries from the small ethnic communities. The process will
be conducted in sync with the regular reports such as monthly, quarterly or six-monthly basis by SDF,
and these will be shared with the Bank on time. For monitoring of the SEVCDF implementation, the
following factors are to be considered:
 The demographic presence of the SEVCs in the project areas;
 The number of SEVC affected by gender and age standard;
 The number of SEVC participation in project beneficiary groups;
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 The degree of satisfaction addressed by the SEVC regarding the project process, input, output
and results;
 Active participation of the SEVC in project work through effective consultation.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Project Description

Nutun Jibon Livelihood Improvement Project (NJLIP) is a flagship project of Social Development
Foundation (SDF) an autonomous “not-for-profit” trust under the Ministry of Finance and is being
implemented with support from the World Bank (WB) started its journey in 2016. Its aim to support
poor and ultra-poor in 2,500 villages in 12 districts of Bangladesh through community financing for
livelihood improvement, community infrastructure, and skills development training for the
un/underemployed youths. This project has been successful in reaching out to the poor and extreme-
poor and shown strong impacts on livelihood improvements and empowerment of the target group.
Considering the successful implementation of the on-going project, the World Bank extended its support
to the SDF with the preparation and design of a new investment operation that builds on the lessons
learned and results achieved under NJLIP. In this regards, Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood
Improvement (RELI) Project (2021-26) has been scaled up to 20 districts covering eight administrative
divisions throughout the country1. Overall, RELI has been instrumental in bringing multi-dimensional
thought processes and implementation models across the countries in the livelihood improvement
contribution through rural entrepreneurship activities.
Objectives of the RELI project
The overarching aim of the project is to improve the livelihoods of the poor and extreme poor, enhance
their resilience and support rural entrepreneurship in project areas by reaching over 750,000 direct
beneficiaries, of which 90% will be women. Among all 20 targeted districts, the RELI project will carry
over its livelihood support in the villages of 12 districts in which SIPP-II and NJLIP have operated but
could not reach their support. In summary, the project would cover 3200 villages from 12 districts of the
previous phase named NJLIP, and 8 new districts added as the new addition of the project for
implementation throughout the country. The new RELI project would also provide one-time additional
support to NJLIP beneficiaries who may have fallen back into poverty because of the pandemic in the
form of a cash transfer.
The project will adopt the success of the NJLIP project in reaching the poor and poorest, and will tailor
livelihood opportunities to respond to the following urgent needs: (i) Respond to the impact of the
crises on the livelihood of vulnerable rural households and support recovery and resilience-building; (ii)
Help rural households graduate out of poverty through income-generating activities (IGA); (iii) Support
NJLIP’s current beneficiaries who had graduated from poverty pre-crisis but have fallen back into
poverty because of the crisis; and (iv) Support rural entrepreneurship for sustained post-COVID-19-crisis
economic recovery2.

1.2 Components of the RELI project

The project is built around the following four core components:
i. Component A: Community Institutions and Livelihood Development
ii. Component B: Business Development and Institutional Strengthening

1
Concept Note (2020). Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project (P175820)
2
Project Appraisal Document (PAD) (2020). Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement Project

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iii. Component C: Project Management, Monitoring and Learning

iv. Component D: Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC)
Component A focuses on three objectives include mobilizing poor and extreme poor households
through formation and strengthening of community institutions; provide technical and financial support
to livelihood, infrastructure development and health; and strengthen awareness on socio-cultural norms
constraining women, marginalized groups and address climate risks and resilience in the process. The
objectives will be achieved by forming village clusters, implementing web-based loan management
system (LMS), a geo-enabling initiative for monitoring and supervision (GEMS) and service delivery daily.
The component will also provide one-time cash transfer, implement livelihood and income-generating
activities (IGA), and support community infrastructure to create climate-resilient productively and
provide short-term employment opportunities to those immediately affected by Covid-19. The project
outcomes will lead to the empowerment of community leaders and beneficiaries with knowledge and
technologies to implement subcomponent activities and adopt new practices to achieve economic
development and health benefits. For example, the fund schemes will allow income-generating
activities, overcome food security challenges, adoption of climate-smart practices and mitigation
measures, access to WASH and better communication. Moreover, it is expected to generate healthy and
productive lives by prevention of the spread of vector-borne diseases, awareness of gender-based
violence; promotion of productive diversification on-farm towards vegetables, horticulture and nutrient-
dense commodities, and raise awareness about nutritious diets among beneficiaries. The components
will also establish linkages among community, government and non-government health service
providers.
Component B aims to establish Cluster and District Community Societies to ensure village institutions'
sustainability, help build producer organizations as commercially oriented entities, support rural
entrepreneurship, and ensure skill development training and sustainable employment support for the
un/underemployed youths. The main activities of the component will include the development and
strengthening of second-tier institutions. This will be executed by a formation of cluster and district level
community societies (RCCS and RDCS) and training the committees; construction of RDCS and RCCS
office buildings and support the village institutions through regular monitoring and technical assistance
by RCCS. The component also includes commercial agriculture and rural entrepreneurship activities,
where the formation of and technical assistance to registered PGs, market linkages and partnership
building, product promotion and communication, and CARE Fund will play vital roles. Finally,
employment generation support will address youths, migrants, and immigrant returnees to develop
skills through training and counselling, followed by networking to work industries and providing financial
support to entrepreneurs. The component also supports and extends component A's outcomes through
the development and strengthening of second-tier institutions. It will support the networking and
aggregation of village-level community institutions created under Component A. Moreover, financial
and technical support to producer groups and rural entrepreneurs will contribute to sustained post-
COVID-19-crisis economic recovery. In contrast, employment generation support will entail skills
development and training for the un/underemployed youths and returning migrants that help generate
long-term employment opportunities and further support livelihoods and economic recovery.
Component C focuses on the COVID-19 crisis project areas of management, monitoring and learning.
Moreover, recent severe natural disasters can rethink about the capacity building of the implementing
agency SDF on vulnerability, opportunities and sustainable energy-related to climate change. Following
significant lessons are accommodated in response to COVID-19 such as 1. decentralization of
responsibilities; 2. adopting a booklet consist of public health guidelines of World Health Organization

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(WHO) and Bangladesh government. 3. Inclusion of local government for the project considering
effectiveness and sustainability.
Finally, under component D which is about Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) which
is entitled to response all kind of disaster and crisis caused by economic or social impact. The
Government may request the World Bank to work with funds concerning CERC through proper
justification. If the world bank groups agree, all the necessary measures will be taken for responding to
emergency issues and work plan accordingly. Overall, an apt emergency manual will be prepared for
CERC.

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Chapter 2: Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development Framework

2.1 Rational
The Environmental and Social Standard (ESS) 7 of the World Bank ensures full respect for the human
rights, dignity, aspirations, identity, culture, and natural resource-based livelihoods of Indigenous
Peoples as well as of the local communities. The ESS7 is also meant to avoid adverse impacts of projects
on Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities, or
when avoidance is not possible, to minimize, mitigate and/or compensate for such impacts.
In line with the ESS 7, this Small Ethnic and Vulnerable Community Development Framework (SEVCDF)
has been developed to ensure that their needs are addressed in project planning and implementation
through a series of efficient and meaningful consultations with SEVCs who are already so marginalized
that without the support they may not benefit from the development. The SEVCDF also aims to avoid
any potential negative impacts as well as proper mitigation in cases where adverse impacts are
observed.
The project will identify the targeted beneficiaries through social screening systematically. Based on the
socio-demographic and anthropological characteristics of the RELI project site beneficiaries specifically
in the 20 districts, the SEVCDF will be developed to continue with SEVCs issues. The SECVPDF will guide
SDF and in this regard, complement the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for
effectively responding to the issues and concerns related to the Bank’s ESS7.

2.2 Scope and Objectives of SEVCDF

The core objectives of SEVDCF are to outline fundamental principles, policies, guidelines, and the
strategy to recognize impact issues and likely probable risks. These objectives eventually lead to the
formulation and execution of the framework in projects affecting small ethnic communities in the
proposed project districts. The works supported by the Bank must not affect the small ethnic
communities adversely, and instead, they should equally benefit from the project’s interventions
appropriate to their cultural sensitivities and traditions.
SEVCDF involves SDF to engage with several strategic goals, requiring SDF to work with the following
strategic objectives, such as ensuring the presence of SEVCs in project designs, site selection, and socio-
culturally adopting socio-culturally acceptable measures and sometimes special measures to avoid or
minimize adverse impacts on the communities.
The project should screen all activities to confirm that presence of the SEVCs is ensured. It is suggested
that the SEVCs should engage in direct participation during the selection, design and implementation
phases of the project activities. The objectives also include site selection, intervention, and
understanding their scopes which will help avoid adverse impacts. The measures adopted should also be
socially and culturally sensitive and supportive of the communities' socio-economic development.

2.3 Project’s SEVC Development Policy:

The SEVCs Development Policy proposes some principles, guidelines and procedures to develop SEVCDP
in-line with the Bank's requirements. The project activities and interventions designed from the SEVCDP
have both beneficial and adverse effects on the SE communities. However, some fundamental principles
have been identified by SDF for the subprojects to address culturally appropriate benefits and adverse
impacts. The principles emphasize the engagement of the SEVCs and their respective organisations in

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the project processes involving beneficiaries and the screening of the subprojects to explore the
negative impacts on the communities and possible solutions. In the case of unavoidable impacts,
immediate assessment of the issues is advised in association with the tribal community knowledge and
practice. The next action involves adopting activities to address the impacts followed by possible
mitigation approaches through intensive consultations with the tribal communities and institutions in
concern. However, it is strongly discouraged to undertake subprojects without having a complete
agreement with the target communities.

2.4 Small Ethnic Communities Development Plan (SECVDP)

The SEVCDP should be prepared for each district where the small ethnic minority and vulnerable
population constitutes more than 5% of the population. Therefore, the preparation also aims to design a
comprehensive development process of respect for dignity, human rights, and cultural integrity of the
SEVCs. Moreover, it is necessary to ensure minimum or no exposure to adverse effects during the
development process. Lastly, the preparation needs to adopt culturally and socially compatible
economic benefit programs.
SEVCDP is prepared considering the effects of the project activities on ethnic communities; therefore,
some important points are considered by SDF, MoF, skill development institutes, NGOs and private
sectors while preparing the SEVCDP. The suggested points include ethnic and demographic
characteristics of the affected community, prevailing institutions, e.g. family, religion, language,
education, social stigma, and plan to accommodate local tradition of leadership ideas, gender issues,
civil society and NGOs in the implementation design. The points also include impacts of preexisting
formal and informal institutions and incorporation of active consultation and communication of the
ethnic communities to achieve their participation and agreement on the project inputs and mitigation
plan.
SEVCDF primarily aims to mitigate adverse impacts and reinforce and promote any existing development
opportunities in the project areas, emphasizing the SEVCs who would be directly affected. The
guidelines for the preparation of the SEVCDF are provided in Annex 1. Additionally, an outline of Small
Ethnic Community Development Plan (SEVCDP) is provided in Annex 2.

2.5 Socioeconomic Characteristics & Concerns

The proposed subprojects may lead to cultural and socio-economic characteristics of SEVCs as well as
the potential vulnerability for which, the baseline data and social concerns identification will majorly
focus on the outcomes. Data obtained from the socio-economic characteristics are presumed to
demonstrate the nature and degree of adverse impacts and generate necessary inputs for SEVCDF.
2.5.1 Social & Cultural Characteristics
There are several social and cultural characteristics identified for this analysis, addressing living areas,
languages, food habits, inter-tribal relationships and organizations. For example, it is crucial to
understand the relationship of the ethnic communities and the areas they live, which often indicates a
religious and cultural affinity with their ancestral lands and livelihoods. Local languages used by SEVCs in
their social interactions, education and institutions are also considered significant characteristics for this
program. Interrelationships between SEVCs and tribes in the same and different areas also play a vital
role in developing the program.
In the same way, the presence of customary and social organizations in the target areas represents
internal community cohesion and interaction with non-SEVC communities from the region. SEVC

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organizations, such as, traditional institutions, community-based organizations and NGOs whose work
primarily focuses on SEVC issues and their relationships with mainstream organizations involved with
community development, are also considered critical aspects of developing SEVCDF.
2.5.2 Economic Characteristics
Along with the social and cultural features, economic characteristics are also considered to offer
tangibility in the project and SEVCDP. For instance, land ownership indicating the communities' legal
arrangements for residence and livelihood and access to natural resources to support livelihoods are
important economic characteristics identified for the project. Also, occupational structure exhibiting
relative importance of a household's economic activities and the degree to which they might be affected
by the proposed activities and market participation by the ECs are significant markers of a community's
economy. They hence can be used to enhance the SEVCDP design.

2.6 Inclusion Criteria / Definition of SEC/IP

The project, for its interventions, will adopt the World Bank’s criteria for identification of small ethnic
communities which are as follows:
1. Self-identification as ‘indigenous peoples’ by the concerned community/group
2. Distinct social and cultural traditions, belief system and lifestyles indifference to the majority
community
3. A distinct language different from the official language of the country or the language of the
majority
4. A distinct history of living in a particular area/territory of the country before the in-migration by
the majority in that area although such in-migration have (or have not) rendered them into a
status of a numerical minority
A screening sheet for the SECs/IPs as the template is provided in Annex 3.

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Chapter 3: Legal Framework and Regulations

3.1 Constitutional Rights of Small Ethnic Communities

Bangladesh does not recognize Indigenous Peoples (IPs). Instead, other nomenclatures are used: tribe,
tribal, ethnic minority, shall the ethnic community, etc. and several articles in the constitution provide
such recognition. This document retains the alternative nomenclature as used by the Government of
Bangladesh. Article 27 of Bangladesh Constitution guarantees equalities of citizens before the law and
Article 28 prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, sex, caste, race and place of birth and
stipulates to make special provision in favour of Indigenous peoples or for the advancement of any
backward section of citizens. Further, several national policies and legal frameworks also address the
issues related to small ethnic communities

3.2 Other Laws and Policies in Bangladesh

Some of the laws recognize small ethnic communities regarding the ownership and use of lands and
other natural resources. The most important of such laws is the CHT Regulation of 1900. Other laws
include the Hill District Council Acts of 1989 and the CHT Regional Council Act of 1998. The last-
mentioned laws were passed after the signing of the CHT Accord of 1997. The CHT Regulation 1900
recognizes customary land rights and land revenue administration in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The CHT
Accord 1997 recognized CHT as a “tribal inhabited” region, its traditional governance system and the
role of its chiefs.
The National Education Policy 2010 includes an implementation plan for mother tongue education of
ethnic minority children and textbook in indigenous languages. Also, the National Women Development
Policy succinctly mentions the rights of the tribal women. Women and Child Repression Act 2000
addresses the need for the more effective prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women and
children than existed previously and provides redress for victims of various manifestations of violence.
The Act makes provision for compensation for the victim from the guilty person/persons.
The National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction II (FY 2009-11), the Sixth Five Year Plan (FY
2011-15) and the current Seventh 5 Year Plan include visions for ensuring social, political and economic
rights, security and fundamental human rights, preservation of the social and cultural identity of ‘ethnic
peoples’, access to education, health care, food and nutrition, employment and protection of rights to
land and other resources etc.
In the plain regions, the only one of such laws is section 97 of the East Bengal State Acquisition and
Tenancy Act, 1950 which forbids the transfer of lands owned by aboriginals to non-aboriginal persons
without the express consent of the Government’s District Officer. The CHT, in contrast, has a far larger
body of laws that refers directly to small ethnic community peoples.

3.3 World Bank Policy on Indigenous Peoples

As per the policy of the World Bank on indigenous people; this will require that the development
process fully respects the dignity, human rights, economies, and cultures of indigenous peoples and
complies accordingly. Only after free, prior, and informed consent that results in broad community
supports for the project by affected indigenous peoples, the Bank will provide financing for the projects.
The projects that the Bank finances include methods to (a) avoid possible negative impacts on the
indigenous communities; or (b) when avoidance is not viable, to lessen, alleviate, or offset accordingly.

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Projects backed by the Bank are also planned to safeguard the fact that indigenous peoples receive
social and economic benefits which are culturally suitable and to ensure that they are gender and inter-
generationally inclusive.
In Bangladesh, SEVCs are belonging to and treated equally as mainstream citizens. acknowledges the
right of SEVCs to cultural expressions, education, training, health, environment, land, agriculture, water
resources, infrastructure, tourism, and industry. However, there are some gaps which have been caught
and highlighted in the social assessment presented by the Environmental and Social Management
Framework (ESMF).

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Chapter 4. Ethnic Minorities in Bangladesh

4.1 Total population and number of ethnic groups in Bangladesh

The total number of small ethnic community groups is however a matter of much disagreement. The
1991 census mentions 29 existing Indigenous groups. The recently adopted Small Ethnic Minority
Cultural Institution Act (April 2010) mentions 27 different groups which are at present under revision
and proposes 50 different groups. The Bangladesh Adivasi Forum (BAF) includes as many as 45 small
ethnic community groups as per one of their publications (Solidarity, 2003). A list of the ethnic minority
groups according to the above-mentioned different laws is provided in the Annex 4.
According to the most recent 2011 Census, the country’s ethnic minority population is 1,586,141 (with
797,477 men and 788,664 women). However, according to BAF, apex advocacy and a networking
organization of the ethnic minorities, 3 million tribal peoples are residing in Bangladesh. But by any
estimate, tribal peoples constitute no more than between 1-2% of the total population of Bangladesh.
A significant number of the ethnic groups inhabit the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), a hilly region in the
south-eastern border of Bangladesh. CHT comprises of three districts named Bandarban, Khagrachari
and Rangamati covering 13,189 square kilometres of land (approximately 10% of the total land area of
Bangladesh). The communities living in the region are Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Murung,
Lushai, Chak, Khyang, Bawm and Pangkhua. Besides, a very small number of descendants of Assamese,
Gorkhas, and Santals also live there. The other regions where small communities live are Dinajpur,
Rajshahi, greater Mymensingh, Patuakhali-Barguna-Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet and Moulvibazar Districts, as well
as in Jessore and Khulna Districts).

4.2 The Small Ethnic Community and Vulnerable Peoples in the project areas
The Project will generate substantial direct short and longer-term benefits for the ethnic communities,
poor, including disadvantaged men and women. The RELI project will cover the all ethnic groups in 20
districts of Bangladesh i.e. Dinajpur, Kurigram, Rangpur, Sherpur, Patuakhali, Naogaon, Khulna,
Nilphamari, Mymensingh, Barishal, Pirojpur, and Chandpur. And 8 new districts during this round i.e.
Lalmonirhat, Chanpainawabganj, Magura, Jhenidah, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Laxmipur, and Chattogram.
So, it is expected that several small ethnic communities will be considered as beneficiaries under the
RELI project.
The major small ethnic groups in the project areas are (non-exhaustive):
Major Ethnic Groups Districts
Tripura, Rakhine Barishal, Pirojpur, Chandpur, Chattogram
Santal, Oraon, Munda, Malo, Mahato, Pahari, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, Chanpainawabganj,
Rajbonsi, Teli and Mahali, Magura, Jhenidah, Laxmipur
Rajbonshi, Khasia, Meithei, Manipuri, Patro , Sylhet, Kurigram, Sherpur, Patuakhali,
Pahari and Tripura Naogaon, Khulna, Nilphamari
Garo, Koch Barman, Hajong, Banai, Hadi Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, Netrokona,

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Chapter 5: Information Disclosure, Participation, Consultation

5.1 Information Disclosure

The SEVCDF is developed by the GoB through SDF. For dissemination purposes, the draft SEVCDF will be
disclosed on SDF’s websites, along with Bangla translation of the executive summary. The final draft of
SEVCDF also will be disclosed on the World Bank’s website before the appraisal.

5.2 Public Consultation and Participation

The achievement of SEVCDF objectives will very much depend on ensuring the participation of SEVCs in
the selection, designing and implementation process of the project works. SDF will ensure consultations
with the affected SEVCs and as well as knowledgeable persons on the SEVCs development issues and
concerns. To achieve impactful participation, SDF will maintain a well-structured routine to consult the
would-be affected SEVCs at different steps of the project.
The main objectives of the consultation are:
1. evaluating the amount of broad community consensus in support of the project works and sites
and looking for community feedback to minimize the multifaceted effects associated with the
chosen activities
2. Identifying the impact reductive initiatives and assessing and adopting economic facilities that
can be promoted by SDF to complement the initiatives required to reduce the negative effects.
The public consultation process will be conducted in two sections. Before selecting a SEVC majority area
for a sub-project activity, the SDF will accommodate opinions from the SEVC about the necessity for, and
the anticipated positive and negative impacts of the project work regarding the production and
management development with other relevant sectors.
Before assessing the impacts at household and community levels, the major objectives of the
consultation at this period would be to measure:
i. the general perception of the SEVCs about the need for undertaking the chosen project
works and any feedback they would voluntarily provide for better result
ii. the community support regarding the proposed project works; and
iii. any criteria based on which the SEVC might have agreed to facilitate the project and that
SEVCDP and project design need to accommodate.
For ensuring effective consultation, the role of SDF and other sectors will be:

 Ensuring extensive engagement of SEVCs with equal representation of all genders and age
groups; customary group leaders; traditional/conventional SEVC organizations; and Civil society
bodies like NGOs and CBOs; and parties that are highly specialized in SEVCs development sector.

 Disseminating all necessary information related to the project; covering the anticipated negative
impacts, arranging and navigating the consultation works in a manner to maintain full inclusion
of SEVCs in the project cycle and spontaneous expression of the groups’ preferences and
opinions.

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 Registering and sharing with the Bank about all community consultation meetings, with SEVC
opinions about the proposed activities and the afterwards effects associated with it, preferably
the negative ones; feedbacks provided by SEVCs, and the minutes including the criteria that
have been agreed during the consultation process and that provided the base for major
community support for the proposed project.
As soon as the broad-based community support is ensured in support of the project works, the SDF will
analyze the detailed information of impacts with an emphasis on the SEVCs’ perception of the adverse
impacts and the probable reduction and community development initiatives. To finalize the
uninterrupted and informed participation and more concentrated dialogues, SDF is committed to
providing SEVCs with the impact details, both positive and otherwise, of the intended project work. The
dissemination of the information will be operated in local languages through in-person meetings and
maintaining the age-based equity. This whole information dissemination and consultation work will be
fixed in sync with the favorable schedule given by the SEVCs.
In addition to the technical issues, the consultation work will include topics as suggested in the following
and those that are relevant to SEVC need. Starting with the broad-based support for the project works,
there will be community consultation throughout the preparation and implementation process with an
emphasis on the directly affected households. Consultation schedule, anticipated participants, methods
and expected results are reflected in a matrix in Annex 1.
To appreciate the importance of SEVC culture during the project activities, the project staff and
collaborating bodies working in the SEVC locations would be oriented towards SEVC culture and
development matters.

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Chapter 6: Grievance Redress Mechanisms

SDF will run a three-tiered Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) as part of the project: at Head Office,
Regional Office and District/Field Offices. At each tier, a grievance redress committee (GRC) will be set
up comprising of 3-5 members, and in the district/field level, the GRC will include a member from the
ethnic communities where there are beneficiaries from these communities. The operational modalities
of the GRM are provided below:
Table: The Grievance Redressal Mechanism
Tiers of GRM Nodal Person for Contact Facilitation by Project Time frame to
redress
First Tier: Once the committee is created, it The committee will maintain 5 days
will be the first level of contact in a Community Information maximum
Field/district level specific grievance related to the Board or register to record
GRC management of the project or any the grievance, contacting
other issue related to access and and facilitating the aggrieved
adverse impacts on the project person to redress
beneficiaries
Second Tier: In case the grievances are not The Regional Office-based 7 days
resolved at the field/district level, GRC will receive the maximum
these will be forwarded to Regional grievance from the
Office GRC district/field office and
deliver a decision for
resolution
SDF Head Office The grievance will be forwarded to Only after exhausting the 15 days
the SDF head office. first two tiers, the grievance maximum
case will be forwarded to the
head office. SDF will be
responsible to ensure that
there is no cost imposed
(such as for travel, etc.) on
the aggrieved person if the
person belongs to the
vulnerable groups and, the
project will assist her/ him
with travel, accommodation
and other expenses as
needed

In all cases, the aggrieved individual will have the access to judicial procedure if s/he wishes so. If the
aggrieved persons from the SEVC require the legal help, SDF will help him/her in accessing the relevant
GoB support3.

3
Grievance Redress Policy (2012). Social Development Foundation (SDF).

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World Bank Grievance Redress Service (GRS). Communities and individuals who believe that they are
adversely affected by Sub-project interventions may submit complaints to existing project-level GM or
the WB Grievance Redress Service (GRS). Project affected communities and individuals may also submit
their complaint to the World Bank’s independent Inspection Panel, which determines whether harm
occurred, or could occur, because of non-compliance with WB ESF requirements. Details of the
procedures to submit complaints to the WB’s corporate GRS is available in the GRS website:
http://www.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/products-and-services/grievance-redress-service.
For information on how to submit complaints to the WB Inspection Panel, please visit
www.inspectionpanel.org. Any disclosure instrument on GM will provide addresses of the GRS and the
Inspection Panel.

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Chapter 7: Institutional Arrangements

SDF will be the executing agency of the RELI project. Managing Director will be overall responsible for
the implementation of the SEVCDF and the subsequent SEVCDPs. Director, Operations will be
responsible at the operational level for the implementation along with his team and this s/he will
receive the necessary support from the other operational units (such as Good Governance and
Accountability, Monitoring, etc.).
SDF has a Strategic Management Team (SMT) comprised of Directors and Regional Directors, and the
SMT will be responsible to feed the key inputs into strategic decisions made by the MD to ensure the
accountability of decision making. While a capacity building team at the national level has the
responsibility to design and plan capacity building programs that reflect issues emerging through the
implementation process, Appraisal and Monitoring Teams (AMTs) are responsible for independently
appraising the VDF applications and other fund proposals from the villages and checking quality and
certifying milestones for fund release. Staffs from the Region and headquarter will comprise the AMT
and will be responsible for checking compliance and verifying readiness for village fund release and
milestone adherence. An internal audit team will conduct audits at the village, cluster and district levels
regularly.
To retain and build on SDF technical ability, technical knowledge will be tapped by SDF regularly. SDF-
appointed Director of Operations (DO) will lead the work who will report to the MD of SDF. A Project
Steering Committee (PSC) will be established by an MoF that will be chaired by the Secretary and that
will ensure inclusion of other relevant line Ministries for providing supervision and policy guidance and
facilitating inter-ministerial partnership on reform agenda. Based on the agreed terms of reference
included in the Project Operations Manual (POM), the PSC will supervise project implementation and
will take initiatives on project-related issues.
The responsibility of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be to implement the SEVCDF and
SEVCDP besides other social management plans where the Social Development Specialist will play the
lead role. To support SDF in implementing the social management plans (ESMF, SEVCDF, SEP, etc.), SDF
will depute specific officials or recruit from the market a Social Development Specialist (SDS) for ESMF
and SEVCDF.
The outlines of the role and responsibility of the Social Development Specialist will be as below:
Levels Roles and Responsibilities
Social Development Specialist • Review relevant legal and policy framework
and social development and safeguards
planning frameworks;
• Review design and conduct subproject level
social screening, social impact assessment and
preparation of social management plans.
• Coordinate and facilitate all activities
contained in SEVCDF and any social
management plans with the help of the
Consultant.
• Assist in the process of supervision and
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monitoring of the implementation of SMF and

the subsequent social management plans;
• Help affected persons and communities in the
grievance resolution process involving the
project GRM;
• Collect data, consult the communities and
targeted beneficiaries and prepare monthly
progress reports and participate in monthly
review meetings;
• Participate in the training program for capacity
building; and
• Carry out other responsibilities as required
from time to time.

The SDS will have at least 3 years’ experience of working with the small ethnic communities with any
reputed organizations with a masters degree in social science.

7.1 Monitoring and Reporting

For ensuring conformity to the conditions of SEVCDF, the SDF is primarily responsible for the monitoring
and reporting. SDF will maintain dis-aggregated data on the beneficiaries from the small ethnic
communities and all steps of planning and implementation will be covered in that monitoring process.
The process will be conducted in sync with the regular reports such as monthly, quarterly or six-monthly
basis by SDF, and these will be shared with the Bank on time. At the time of implementation, SDF will
organize the meetings where all actors will be invited to provide information on the progress of the
project activities.
For social monitoring of the SEVCDF implementation, the following factors are to be considered:
1. The demographic presence of the SEVCs in the project areas;
2. The number of SEVC affected by gender and age standard;
3. The number of SEVC participation in project beneficiary groups;
4. The degree of satisfaction addressed by the SEVC regarding the project process, input,
output and results;
5. Active participation of the SEVC in project work through effective consultation.

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Annexes:

Annex 1: Technical Guidelines for Consultation and Preparation of SEVCDP

The consultation framework is designed to ensure that SEVCs are well informed, consulted and
mobilized in the project investment process. The dynamics participation and engagement of SEVCs will
contribute to sustainable development on their livelihood and make them more confident through
meaningful participation. The framework also works as a safeguard to protect from future threats by
project finance. The consultations framework formulation process included an environment and social
impact assessment to understand the level of impacts of the project. If there are any small ethnic groups
are found or if they have any kind of attachment in the project intervention area then a Small Ethnic
Community Development Plan (SEVCDP) will be developed. In the overall SEVCDP projects, the basic
part will be consultation with the small ethnic communities, their leaders and local government officials
and those will be included in other project reports as a requirement.
During the project screening period, the project will give a comprehensive baseline data on social,
economic and technical aspects of each investment by involving small ethnic communities, especially it
will highlight the areas identified by the small ethnic groups. The process will provide accurate sites,
communities and location of the small communities that are identified through participatory mapping.
As per the Bank’s ESS 7 direction, a checklist for screening small ethnic communities with features will
specify the small communities to remain in the project area or not.
Later on, potential social issues on SEVCs s will be identified if there is any impact due to the investment.
The SDF in collaboration with relevant agencies will consult themselves to commence actions addressing
the issues raised concerns. The implementing agency will allow the SEVCs to participate in the decision-
making process of investment willingly.
It is observed that all targeted SEVCs consist of a diverse group of small ethnic communities in the
project areas. The PIU’s team will visit those communities at the very beginning of the first consultation.
The PIU’s team will consist of social safeguard focal person and relevant local authorities, and
experienced person who have appropriate social science training or experience in this field. Before visit
the communities, the team will notify the respective leaders of the communities that the focal person,
local authorities will visit them. The consultation will be primarily looking to get support for the project
intervention and discuss possible negative impacts and seek assistance for a contextual solution on how
to overcome those impacts. In the notice, it will be mentioned that representatives from various
occupational groups, women association and community leaders will be invited from the community
end. The community leaders along with other participants will present their perspectives concerning
proposed activities during the visit.
The project will ensure to address the concern of different ethnic groups during project preparation,
implementation and beyond project completion. The project will identify and apply particular cultural
attributes, traditional cultural tools in the existing community grievance mechanism for raising and
resolving issues. To achieve this, the project will take the following steps
a) At first in the project affected area, identify and define culturally acceptable ways to address
grievances from significantly different ethnic or cultural groups within affected communities,
b) Secondly understand cultural attributes, customs, and traditions that may influence or obstruct
their ability to express their grievances that include differences in the roles and responsibilities
of sub-groups (especially women) and cultural sensitivities and taboos; and

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c) Thirdly, harmonize the best way to access grievance mechanisms and consider the ways of
communities’ expression and deal with grievances.
The indigenous people leaders and local authorities will assist the PIU’s focal person or relevant official
with social expertise to start screening for the indigenous peoples in this visit.
The screening will check for the following:
a) Names of ethnic groups in the target/affected villages/community;
b) Total number of ethnic groups in the affected villages/community;
c) Percentage of ethnic people in affected villages/communities; and
d) Number and percentage of ethnic households within a described zone of influence of the
proposed investments.

During the screening process, when target communities have selected, it is likely to have a social impact
assessment. The assessment will be conducted by using an inventory of affected assets, impact on their
occupations and income, baseline socioeconomic survey and consultation. The beneficiary population or
project-affected people’s social and economic profile will be gathered. Under the project, free, prior and
informed consultations will be carried out for each of the beneficiary/affected communities/villages and
the respective communities, learning their broad support to determine the possible impacts and
possible encouragement.

Social Assessment (SA):

Moreover, during the project preparation stage, a social assessment was conducted. Also, there will be
another social assessment will commence among the certain desired communities those who have
potential resettlement and livelihood impacts. The SA will be conducted by a qualified social
development specialist who knows the targeted ethnic communities’ culture. At this point, the social
assessment will gather relevant information on demographic data; social, cultural and economic
situation. It also provides data on project impacts which will cover social and economic aspects, either
positive or negative. To the nature and scale of the proposed interventions the range, depth, and type of
analysis required for the social assessment are relative under the project. Due to the project, the small
ethnic communities have potential effects. Results of the assessment will be used to develop SEVCDF.

The social assessment includes the following required elements:

a) A review based on a scale appropriate to the project, also a review of the legal and institutional
framework applicable to a small ethnic community.
b) Assembling of baseline information on the demographic, social, cultural, and political
characteristics of the affected Small ethnic community’ communities, the land and territories
that they have traditionally owned or customarily used or occupied, and the natural resources
on which they depend.
c) Taking the review and baseline information into account, the identification of key project
stakeholders and the elaboration of a culturally appropriate process for consulting with the
Small ethnic community at each stage of project preparation and implementation.
d) The identification and evaluation, based on free, prior, and informed consultation with the
affected small ethnic communities, of measures necessary to avoid adverse effects, or if such
measures are not feasible, the identification of measures to minimize, mitigate, or compensate

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for such effects, and to ensure that the Small ethnic community receive culturally appropriate
benefits under the project.

A series of meetings will be conducted for consultation, including separate group meetings: ethnic
village chiefs; ethnic men; and ethnic women, especially those who live in the zone of influence of the
proposed work under the project. All consultation will be conducted in easily accessible locations. All will
be carried out in relevant local languages. Discussions will focus on investments impacts, positive and
negative; and recommendations for the design of investments. Broader community support will be
required to proceed with the project intervention on a particular site with the presence of ethnic
communities. Updated social assessment will also be carried out periodically during project
implementation as part of the monitoring process to identify unexpected adverse impacts and to
propose mitigation measures. If the impact is significant, SEVCDF will be updated based on the result of
the updated social assessment. Expected, the free, prior and informed consultation process will be
continued.

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Annex 2: Small Ethnic Community Development Plan

The SDF will prepare a Small Ethnic Community Plan (SECP) based on the social assessment and in
consultation with the affected small ethnic community. Which develop a pattern of events to ensure the
project:
a) Culturally appropriate social and economic benefits will be received by the affected small ethnic
community by the project; and
b) Adverse effects are avoided, minimized, mitigated, or compensated for if there are any potential
adverse effects on small ethnic community are identified. The SEVCDP is prepared for flexibly
and pragmatically.
To address the nature of effects, it has a level of detail varies depending on the specific project. The SDF
will integrate the SEVCD into the project design. A separate SEVCDP is not required if small ethnic
communities are the sole or the overwhelming majority of direct project beneficiaries and the elements
of SEVCDP should be included in the overall project design. The SEVC requirements will be covered by
the Social Management Plan (SMP).
The SEVCDP includes the following required elements:
a) A summary of the information about (i) legal and institutional framework applicable for the
small ethnic community and (2) baseline information on the demographic, social, cultural, and
political characteristics of the affected small ethnic communities, their traditional or customary
user of occupied land and territories, and the natural resources on which they depend.
b) A summary of the social assessment.
c) A summary of the results of the free, prior, and informed consultation with the affected small
ethnic communities which was carried out during project preparation and led to broad
community support for the project.
d) A framework for ensuring free, prior, and informed consultation with the affected small ethnic
communities during project implementation.
e) An action plan of measures to ensure that the Indigenous Peoples receive social and economic
benefits which are culturally appropriate, including, if necessary, measures to enhance the
capacity of the project implementing agencies.
f) An appropriate action plan of measures to avoid, minimizes, mitigate, or compensate when
potential adverse effects on small ethnic communities are identified.
g) The cost estimates and financing plan for the SEVCDP.
h) Accessible procedures appropriate to the project arising from project implementation to
address grievances by the affected small ethnic communities. Customary dispute settlement
mechanisms among the small ethnic communities will be taken into account during designing
the grievance procedures, availability of judicial recourse.
i) Mechanisms and benchmarks are appropriate to the project for monitoring, evaluating, and
reporting on the implementation of the SEVCDP. It is mandatory to include arrangements for
the free, prior and informed consultation with the affected Indigenous Peoples’ communities in
the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

The following basic information will be required for preparation of the SEVCDP:
• The basic census, socio-economic data and inventory of affected assets;
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• Household ownership of economic and productive assets

• Annual income from primary and secondary employment opportunities including fishing and
fisheries dependent occupations;
• Economic information of community (e.g. brief information on economic and natural resources,
production and livelihood systems, tenure systems)
• Social information of community (e.g. description of kinship, value system, types of social
organizations of formal and informal groups)
• The potential impact of proposed project activities on basic social services (e.g. water supply, health
clinics and schools)
• The potential impact of project activities on the social and economic livelihood.

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Annex 3: Preliminary Screening of Small Ethnic Communities

Date: ------------------
When to do the screening? During the first consultation meeting with a community
What information to be collected? Demographic data of small ethnic community people who live
within the catchment of the project interventions
How to collect the information? It can be obtained from traditional indigenous leaders, village
leaders (UP Chairman) and community chief like King, Headmen,
Karbaries, Manji.
Who will do the screening? Consultants or SDF staff

District: ______________ Upazilla: _______________ Union: _________________ Village:

_______________

Name of the village Name of Number of ethnic The total Number of the ethnic
within the the ethnic households population of population (name)
catchment of group the village
project (nos.) Male Female
interventions

Signature: ----------------------------------------------

Name (of the SDF Consultant):

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Annex – 4: List of different small ethnic community groups as per various laws
and study/surveys

1. CHT Peace Accord (PA), 1997

1. Bawm, 2. Chak, 3. Chakma, 4. Khumi, 5. Kyang, 6. Lushai, 7. Marma, 8. Mro, 9. Pankgua,
10. Tanchangya, 11. Tripura. Other groups who live the region but excluded from the PA are:
Santals, Asam, Gurkha, Rakhine

2. Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, 2005 (BAF), 2005

1. Asam, 2. Bawm, 3. Banai, 4. Bediya, 5. Bhumij, 6. Bagdi, 7. Chakma, 8. Chak, 9. Dalu, 10.
Garo, 11. Gurkha, 12. Hajong, 13. Khasi, 14. Kharia, 15. Khyang, 16. Khumi, 17. Koch, 18.
Kole, 19. Karmakar, 20. Khastriya Barman, 21. Khondo, 22. Lusai, 23. Marma, 24. Mro, 25.
Monipuri, 26. Mahato, 27. Munda, 28. Malo, 29. Mahali, 30. Muriyar, 31. Musohor, 32.
Oraon, 33. Pangkhu, 34. Paharia, 35. Pahan, 36. Patro, 37. Rakhaing, 38. Rajuar, 39. Rai, 40.
Rajbongshi, 41. Santal, 42. Shing, 43. Turi, 44. Tangchangya, 45. Tripura

3. East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act (EBSATA), 1951

1. Banai, 2. Bhuiya, 3. Bhumij, 4. Dalu, 5. Garo, 6. Gond, 7. Hadi, 8. Hajang, 9. Ho, 10. Kharia,
11. Kharwar, 12. Koch (Dhaka Division), 13. Kora, 14. Mache, 15. Maghs (Bakerganj District),
16. Mal and Sauria Paharia, 17. Mundai, 18. Munda, 19. Oraon, 20. Sonthal, 21. Turi.

4. Small Ethnic Groups’ Cultural Institution Act (SEGCIA), 2010

1. Barman, 2. Bawm, 3. Chak, 4. Chakma, 5. Dalu, 6. Garo, 7. Hajong, 8. Khasia/Khasi, 9.
Khumi, 10. Koch, 11. Kol, 12. Kyang, 13. Lushai, 14. Malpahari, 15. Manipuri, 16. Marma, 17.
Mong, 18. Mro, 19. Munda, 20. Orao, 21. Pahari, 22. Pankgua, 23. Rakhain, 24. Santal, 25.
Tanchangya, 26. Tripura, 27. Ushai

The law is currently being revised by the government with advice from an ‘expert’ panel on small ethnic
peoples in Bangladesh. The proposed draft corrects the errors of the existing law and also includes for
consideration additional communities who are excluded in the current version. The proposed
communities are:

28. Mahato, 29. Kondo, 30. Gonju, 31. Gorat/Gorait, 32. Malo, 33. Teli, 34. Patro, 35. Banai,
36. Bagdi, 37. Bediya, 38. Baraik, 39. Bhumij, 40. Mushohor, 41. Mahali, 42. Rajoar, 43.
Lohar, 44. Shabar, 45. Hadi, 46. Ho, 47. Kora, 48. Bheel, 49. Bhuimali, 50. Gurkha

5. Ethnographic Encyclopaedia of the Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh, Published in 3

volumes, by Utsa Prakashan and Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Dhaka, 2010 (Study)
1. Ahomia, 2. Khiyang, 3. Khumi, 4. Gurkha, 5. Chak, 6. Chakma, 7. Tanchangya, 8. Tripura, 9.
Pangkho, 10. Bawm, 11. Marma, 12. Mro, 13. Lusai, 14. Koch, 15. Khariya, 16. Garo, 17. Dalu,
18. Barman, 19. Banai, 20. Hajong, 21. Khasia, 22. Patro, 23. Manipuri, 24. Rakhain, 25. Orao,
26. Kondo, 27. Karmakar, 28. Kol, 29. Gondo, 30. Turi, 31. Pahan, 32. Pahariya, 33. Bagdi, 34.
Bediya, 35. Bhumij, 36. Mahato, 37. Mahali, 38. Malo, 39. Murari, 40. Mushhor, 41. Rai, 42.
Raotiya, 43. Rajbangshi, 44. Rajoar, 45. Saotal, 46. Munda

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