Our Heritage
Together we can make a Difference
Integrated Social Development Effort (ISDE) Bangladesh was born out of a profound commitment to social justice and poverty alleviation in southeastern Bangladesh. In the late 1980s, S. M. Nazer Hossain, then a passionate college student, witnessed firsthand the crushing poverty and exploitation faced by vulnerable families in his native coastal village near Cox’s Bazar. Motivated to make a difference, he began organizing local youth under a branch of the Jatio Tarun Sangha (JTS), a national youth organization.
Despite early pushback from local elites and landowners, the mission grew. By 1987, these efforts were formalized with the establishment of Adhymapayee Samaj Uunyan Sangstha (ASUS) under the guidance of national figures like Professor Dr. Nurul Islam. The devastating coastal cyclone of 1991 served as a crucial turning point, highlighting the urgent need for a structured, professional, and long-term development organization to manage disaster relief, rehabilitation, and sustainable socio-economic growth.
This process of institutionalization culminated in the official founding of ISDE Bangladesh on November 1, 1992, coinciding with National Youth Day. Today, ISDE works as a registered, non-profit, voluntary development agency serving Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, delivering programs that restore dignity, education, health, and empowerment to communities in need.
Our Milestones
A legacy of measurable social change
Over more than three decades, ISDE Bangladesh has grown from a local youth initiative into a key development partner in the southeastern coastal region. Our focus remains on creating self-sustaining communities, promoting human rights, and ensuring that no child or family is left behind.
- Sustained target-group development approach
- Focus on women's empowerment and leadership
- Resilient disaster response and rehabilitation
- Collaborative partnerships with global development agencies
Key Milestones
Timeline of our Journey
1987
ASUS Founded
Initial community development efforts are formalized with the establishment of Adhymapayee Samaj Uunyan Sangstha (ASUS) to address rural exploitation and assist underprivileged village groups.
1991
Devastating Cyclone Response
ASUS mobilizes significant disaster relief and rehabilitation initiatives in the wake of the catastrophic 1991 cyclone, emphasizing the critical need for a structured, professional NGO.
1992
ISDE Bangladesh Established
On November 1, 1992 (National Youth Day), a dedicated group of social workers and researchers officially establish Integrated Social Development Effort (ISDE) Bangladesh.
1993
Partner Collaborations
ISDE initiates long-term collaborations with national and international development partners, launching non-formal primary education, healthcare, and livelihood support campaigns.
Present
Multi-Sector Impact
Today, ISDE operates across Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, and the Hill Tracts districts, implementing comprehensive programs in women's empowerment, education, healthcare, and climate change resilience.
Get Involved
Become a Volunteer
Join our mission to strengthen community development, foster youth leadership, and assist vulnerable families across southeastern Bangladesh.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about ISDE Bangladesh's founding history, operational scope, and key focus areas.
ISDE Bangladesh was officially established on November 1, 1992, coinciding with the National Youth Day of Bangladesh. It was formed by a group of dedicated development workers and researchers who aimed to serve impoverished communities.
The organization was initiated by a group of development workers and researchers led by Mr. S. M. Nazer Hossain, who has served as the long-time Executive Director of the organization and pioneered its early grassroots youth campaigns.
ISDE Bangladesh primarily operates in the southeastern part of the country. This includes Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, and the three Chittagong Hill Tracts districts: Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachari.
Our focus areas include women’s political and economic empowerment, healthcare and nutrition services, education support, climate change resilience, youth job training, and responsive disaster risk reduction programs.