Scholarship Programme, Bangladesh

Education plays a critical role in enabling social mobility and long-term community development. In Bangladesh, however, many families continue to face financial constraints that make it difficult for children to remain in school, particularly those from low-income households and children requiring additional support.

Recognising this challenge, Dutch-Bangla Pack Ltd. (DBPL) – Royal LC Packaging’s SA8000-certified production facility in Bangladesh implemented a scholarship programme with financial support from the LC Supports Foundation. The programme was established to support the children of DBPL employees as well as children in need from the surrounding community, helping them to continue their education and reduce the risk of early school drop-out.

The scholarship programme is open to dependent children of current full-time DBPL employees, as well as children from the local community who require support to remain enrolled in school. Eligibility is limited to children actively attending an educational institution from play group through Grade 12, typically covering children aged approximately 4 to 18 years.

The programme was officially inaugurated in 2023. At its launch, the scholarship initiative supported an initial group of 30 students, marking the beginning of a structured and needs-based education support programme.

In 2024, the scholarship program was expanded with full financial support from the LC Support Foundation and implemented in partnership with the AMDA Foundation. An annual budget of €25,000 was allocated for this phase. Through this funding, 189 children of DBPL employees received general scholarships of BDT 6,000 per year to support their ongoing education. In addition, 20 children with Down syndrome and other mental disabilities from the local community were supported through the scholarship programme, recognising their additional educational and care needs.

Alongside the general scholarships, a special merit-based scholarship of BDT 10,000 per year was awarded to 111 children of DBPL employees and 5 children from the community based on academic performance.

To ensure that the programme remains relevant and responsive to actual needs, AMDA conducts a structured annual assessment and survey among employees and the local community. Through this process, new eligible students are identified and added to the program each year, while students who complete Grade 12 exit the program as they transition to higher education.

The programme continued in 2025 with an annual scholarship event, during which parents, local authorities, representatives of the LC Supports Foundation, and community members were invited to participate. Educational materials and small gifts were distributed to scholarship recipients, reinforcing shared responsibility for supporting children’s education.

Through this scholarship programme, DBPL and the LC Supports Foundation contribute to improved access to education and align their efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education. The initiative reflects an ongoing commitment to supporting children’s education and fostering inclusive development within both the workforce and the wider community.