Bangladesh Institute of Theatre Arts (BITA) is a Non Government Organisation established in 2004. The oraganisation works in the sector of performing arts, crafts and oral tradition for safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Performing arts (like theatre, Kabi Gaan, folk songs etc.) is the specialization area where the organisation works closely using diverse modalities with engagement of grassroots artists from rural and urban area entangling multiple ingredients of cultural heritage like use of traditional musical instruments, folk cultural forms. The organisation has been working with multiple communities which are mainly derived from disadvantaged and neglected section of the society including fisher folk, ethnic minorities, peasants, blacksmiths, grassroots artisans, slum dwellers, children, youth adolescents, women etc from Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Feni and Bandarban Hill District. The extensive use of performing arts have been playing significant role reviving and promoting the cultural heritage from one generation to another in order to expedite human rights promotion, social harmony and sustainable development. The ICH safeguarding activities that they undertake are: skill development- technical improvement, knowledge sharing, workshop activities, use of folk elements, etc. They have initiated cultural exchange and are working within and outside the country. BITA also has documentation and publication both in the form of audio and books. As an organisation, BITA has been successful in engaging youth to take part in ICH practices and activities related to safeguarding and promotion activities of ICH as livelihood options.

Beez Bistar Foundation (BBF) works at the grassroots level on agriculture and livestock development. They emphasize on health people’s access to health care, as well as maternal and child health. BBF has a field-based information on the knowledge and practices of rural people about nutrition from the cultivated food crops, fruits, livestock, and poultry, as well as from uncultivated sources. BBF collaborates with UBINIG, a reputable policy research and advocacy organization in Bangladesh, on ecological and biodiversity-based agriculture, environment, climate change, health, and women’s issues.

Maldives Authentic Crafts Cooperative Society (MACCS) is a handicraft cooperative, developing and marketing authentic handicraft items of the rural artisans. Based in the capital Malé, MACCS was founded by a group of women to assist and promote the development of the local handicrafts industry. Registered in 2011, MACCS promotes local arts and crafts and facilitates market access for local products. MACCS is committed, through its cooperative, to support & educate local communities in the revival of handicrafts and thereby make it a sustainable livelihood activity.

Prokritee, established in 2001, is a Not-for-Profit Company manufacturing and exporting handicrafts. The organisation is committed to moral and social values and supports over 1,500 artisans in rural areas. For the products they use recycled materials such as used sari, waste jute, silk, handmade paper, natural fibers and leaves. They are winners of the WFTO Mohammed Islam Design Award 2015 for our Paper Christmas tree ornament made out of water-hyacinth and handmade paper. The products produced by the artisans are sold in Bangladesh and exported to many countries around the world. Prokritee and its enterprises provide jobs for marginalized rural women; thus improves women’s standard of living and helps them send their children to school. The organisation provides skill development training to artisans. Prokritee creates and promotes income generating projects that benefit the artisans in marginalized situations and adheres to good safety and environmental standards, and have the potential to become self–reliant. The initiatives of Prokritee have a huge impact on social inclusion as well. Some examples are the Hajiganj Handicrafts Crochet Unit (set up in 2006 to support Bihari families who had to flee their homes, during the partition of Bengal), Sacred Mark Enterprises (set up for alternative employment of former sex workers) and Biborton Handmade Paper (set up in Barishal district which is a disadvantaged and vulnerable area). Prokritee also works with the ethnic minority groups like the Santhals in Rajshahi district and some indigenous groups in the Hill Tracks of Chittagong, Bandarban and Rangamati.