City Bank, Unicef partner to empower marginalised youth with green skills

City Bank PLC has signed a partnership agreement with Unicef to equip marginalised adolescents and young people, particularly girls, with green and entrepreneurial skills under a pilot project, titled "Skills4Youth".

Rana Flowers, representative of Unicef in Bangladesh, and Mashrur Arefin, managing director and CEO of City Bank PLC, signed the agreement at a ceremony held in Dhaka recently, according to a press release.

Flowers said, "This partnership with City Bank is more than an investment in skills; it is an investment in hope for children. By equipping marginalised adolescents and young women in climate-vulnerable communities with employability skills, we are opening doors to opportunity and leadership for them."

"Together with the private sector, we are helping to build a Bangladesh where every young person can contribute to and benefit from resilient growth," she added.

Arefin remarked, "Unicef has been doing tremendous work in Bangladesh for decades, improving lives and creating opportunities for children and young people across the country. We are truly honoured to join hands with them in this meaningful partnership."

"Together, we aim to make a real and lasting impact by empowering youth, especially girls, with the skills and opportunities they need to build a more sustainable and inclusive future for Bangladesh," he added.

Through this initiative, adolescents and young people especially girls and young women in climate-vulnerable districts such as Bagerhat will have access to market-relevant training, career coaching, and linkages to apprenticeships and employment with local enterprises.

The programme emphasises practical, inclusive, and measurable learning opportunities, helping young people particularly those most at risk of being left behind build sustainable livelihoods and resilient communities.

Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, additional managing director and chief financial officer of the bank; Mahia Juned, additional managing director and chief operating officer; Kazi Azizur Rahman, additional managing director and chief information officer; and Shahriar Jamil Khan, head of brand and marketing, along with other senior officials from both organisations, were also present.