RECOGNITION & AWARDS

International Recognition

WSIS Prize 2019 - CHAMPION Category 15 - 2nd Position World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), Geneva, Switzerland

Our project "IT for the Differently Able" won the prestigious WSIS Prize, recognizing our innovative use of technology to empower people with disabilities. [https://rb.gy/ppki7z]

Global Youth Travel Awards 2015 BEST SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVE - 3rd Place Recognized internationally for our social impact work [https://bit.ly/34esMW6]

National Recognition

ActionAid Youth Innovation Challenge 2019—WINNER: Won for making people with disabilities interested in research and demonstrating that people with disabilities can do any work if given the opportunity.

AEIF 2013 Winner (U.S. State Department) Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund - inaugural winner Funding and support for "IT for Differently Able" project

SDG Youth Carnival 2017 (International Youth Day) Recognition for working toward Sustainable Development Goals

Appreciation from UNDP For partnership and contributions to inclusive development

Nitol Ayat Contest 2018 Recognition for innovative social enterprise ideas

Media Recognition

Deutsche Welle (DW) Feature: International documentary featuring our work fighting discrimination

CSR Annual Report Bangladesh 2019 Featured article: "Creating a space for differently-abled deaf and mute artists"

Multiple National Newspapers Regular coverage in The Business Standard, The Independent, Dhaka Tribune, Bonik Barta, Risingbd.com, and others

Awards & Recognition Timeline

2013

• AEIF Winner (U.S. State Department)
• Founded BRIDGE Foundation
• Launched IT for Differently Able project

2014

• First IT training batch completed
• Established training methodology

2015

• Global Youth Travel Awards—3rd Place
• Launched Magical Art of Silence

2016

• Started working with visually impaired people
• "A Different Shakespeare" theater performance
• Multiple international exhibitions

2017

• SDG Youth Carnival recognition
• UNDP appreciation
• Expanded research activities

2018

• Nitol Ayat Contest recognition
• Published multiple research papers

2019

• WSIS Prize Champion (Category 15) - Geneva, Switzerland
• Action Aid Youth Innovation Challenge Winner
• Deutsche Welle (DW) documentary feature
• CSR Annual Report feature
• US exhibitions and international recognition
• 12-day infographics training launched

2020

• COVID-19 research published
• Continued exhibitions despite pandemic
• International Disability Day event at Cox's Bazar
• Multiple media features and live sessions
• Expanded research on women with disabilities

Working Toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

BRIDGE Foundation actively contributes to:

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Accessible IT and skills training
• Soft skills and cultural development
• Partnership with government education programs

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Employment support and job placement
• Entrepreneurship training
• Inclusive economic opportunities

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Fighting discrimination and exclusion
• Creating equal opportunities
• Advocating for rights and accessibility

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Research-based advocacy
• Policy influence
• Fighting marginalization
• Ensuring voice for people with disabilities

Cross-cutting: Gender Equality

• Special focus on women with disabilities
• Menstrual health research
• Economic empowerment for women
• Addressing double discrimination