#19 Beyond Charity: BRAC’s Blueprint for Ending Poverty

DescriptionHow did one of the world’s poorest countries become a hub of development innovation? In this episode, we explore the extraordinary story of BRAC—formerly the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee—founded in 1972 and now the largest NGO in the world. From post-war relief work to nationwide programs in education, health, microfinance, and social enterprise, BRAC has transformed what it means to fight poverty at scale. Its secret? Combining systems thinking with grassroots trust, and running NGOs with the discipline of businesses.We trace BRAC’s evolution across five decades—from door-to-door oral rehydration campaigns and village schools for girls, to pioneering ultra-poor graduation and global replication in Africa and Asia. Along the way, BRAC has empowered tens of millions of women, educated over 14 million children, and lifted millions out of extreme poverty—without losing sight of dignity, equity, and learning. This is the story of how development can be built from the bottom up—and scaled for lasting change.Key wordsBRAC, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Poverty alleviation, Social innovation, Global development