Minority Cell Research Center & Indigenous Rights
Promoting the rights, well-being, cultural identities, traditional ecological knowledge, and sustainable socio-economic development of ethnic, Indigenous, and minority communities across Bangladesh.
International Minority Rights Day 2026
“Diversity, Dignity and Equal Rights: Building an Inclusive Bangladesh”
SBF, in collaboration with the Center for Culture and Resilience Studies (CCRS), Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka, is preparing to jointly observe International Minority Rights Day on 18 December 2026, commemorating the 1992 UN Minority Rights Declaration and advancing constitutional protections and inclusive development.
Preserving Cultural Identity, Fostering Equitable Progress
A central focus of Sustainable Bangladesh Foundation (SBF) is to uphold the dignity, rights, cultural identities, and sustainable development of ethnic, Indigenous, and minority communities.
The Minority Cell Research Center is envisioned as an independent, culturally sensitive platform for empirical documentation, community-led research, and evidence-based policy dialogue. We bridge the critical gap between grassroots ethnic communities and national policymakers, ensuring that development projects respect indigenous tenure, traditional ecological wisdom, and constitutional protections.
Through partnerships with indigenous community councils, traditional village headmen, ethnic youth associations, and academic anthropologists, SBF mobilizes resources and international collaborations to deliver lasting community-centered interventions.
Four Core Pillars of the Minority Cell
An integrated framework combining scientific research, cultural archiving, legal advocacy, and sustainable livelihoods.
Empirical & Ethnographic Research
Conducting rigorous, participatory research led by indigenous researchers and scholars documenting demographic, land tenure, customary governance, and development status.
Cultural Heritage & Traditional Knowledge
Documenting endangered indigenous languages, oral histories, traditional weaving practices, medicinal plant biodiversity, and ecological resource management.
Equitable Policy Advocacy & Legal Rights
Drafting evidence-based policy recommendations and human rights submissions ensuring constitutional protections, land rights recognition, and civic representation.
Livelihood & Cooperative Development
Supporting community-owned eco-tourism cooperatives, fair-trade handloom textile markets, agricultural value chains, and indigenous youth scholarships.
Target Communities & Regional Focal Corridors
SBF works across all divisions of Bangladesh where ethnic, Indigenous, and minority populations reside.
Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT)
Zone 1Priority Interventions: Customary land stewardship, cultural archives, indigenous-led eco-tourism, primary education in mother tongue.
Greater Sylhet Division
Zone 2Priority Interventions: Forest land rights, sacred betel leaf agro-forestry preservation, equitable wage advocacy, healthcare accessibility.
North Bengal (Plains)
Zone 3Priority Interventions: Protection from unlawful dispossession, agricultural cooperatives, anti-discrimination support, youth skills.
Coastal & Riverine Margins
Zone 4Priority Interventions: Climate displacement support, traditional pagoda & handicraft conservation, equal civic participation.
Support Indigenous Cultural Preservation & Equal Rights
Partner with SBF to provide educational scholarships, fund oral history archives, and establish community handloom cooperatives.