Photo: UNICEF

DHAKA, Aug 27, 2025 (BSS) - The Standard Chartered Bangladesh and UNICEF have 
jointly taken an initiative to train 30,000 young people of the country in 
financial literacy, entrepreneurship and sales skills. 

The beneficiaries include marginalised individuals and people with 
disabilities and they will benefit directly from the project's implementation 
over its two-year duration, said a press release here today. 

The agreement for this initiative was signed by Naser Ezaz Bijoy, chief 
executive officer (CEO) of Standard Chartered Bangladesh and Rana Flowers, 
UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh.
 
This education initiative, delivered via Generation Unlimited's (GenU) 
Passport to Earning (P2E) platform, aims to equip participants, at least half 
of whom will be young women, with the skills and opportunities to secure 
meaningful employment or start their own businesses, and in turn contributing 
directly to Bangladesh's economic growth.
 
The programme will develop and deliver online courses complemented by 
assessments, certifications, blended learning delivery and mentorship.

Targeted campaigns will ensure participation from marginalised communities, 
including young people with disabilities while mobile-first and offline 
options will help overcome connectivity barriers. 

At least 6,000 graduates are expected to secure employment across these 
sectors while gaining the skills, confidence, and financial knowledge to 
thrive in a rapidly evolving labour market.
 
"This collaboration with UNICEF enables us to provide over 30,000 young 
people, especially young women from marginalised communities, with the skills 
they need to succeed in the modern workforce," Bijoy said.

"Through training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and sales, and by 
connecting learners with employers across sectors like ICT, retail, FMCG, and 
financial services, we aim to equip them to secure meaningful employment and 
build businesses, contributing directly to Bangladesh's economic growth and 
long-term development," he added.

"Through the partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, UNICEF will introduce 
the Passport to Earning, under the global Generation Unlimited initiative, 
effectively reaching 30,000 marginalised youth, especially girls and young 
people with disabilities, with the confidence and skills to turn their 
education into real opportunities, opening doors to jobs, livelihoods, and 
independence." said the UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.

The programme builds on the P2E platform, which has already enrolled more 
than 38,000 learners nationwide and facilitated over 1,000 job placements, 
backed by Microsoft technology.