Funded by Canada and the Netherlands, Enroute supported the ILO-BRAC-UNDP “Leaving No One Behind” (ISEC) programme under Bangladesh’s Department of Youth Development. To address Cox’s Bazar’s structural challenges including weak product diversification, low women’s participation, skill gaps, and underdeveloped environmental practices. Enroute acted as a market systems facilitator under the ILO’s approach. By co-designing interventions with local stakeholders, the initiative strengthened tourism enterprises and expanded sustainable economic opportunities for women, youth, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
Across two phases, Enroute implemented market-system interventions covering tourism market assessment, enterprise mapping, stakeholder engagement, enterprise development, and climate-smart tourism. In Phase 1, around 350 individuals and SMEs received coaching and training using ILO’s SIYB and WED approaches, alongside support for women tourism champions, destination management, and market linkages.
Phase 2 expanded support to around 500 individuals and SMEs, established Upazila Tourism Destination Committees, developed gender-responsive management and promotional plans for nine destinations, and targeted roughly 500 employment and self-employment opportunities. Destination promotion diversified tourism beyond beaches, while environmental sustainability was integrated across activities through waste reduction, conservation, plastics reduction, and resource efficiency.
