Description
Market Research: Bangladesh Digital Development Activity Background: The rapid development and adoption of digital technology is transforming how people worldwide access information, goods, and services. Digital technology has the power to spur economic growth, improve development outcomes, and contribute to lifting millions out of poverty. The Government of Bangladesh's (GoB) Vision 2021 and Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041 emphasize its goal of inclusive digital transformation. In April 2020, USAID launched its Digital Strategy (2020-2024) to achieve and sustain open, secure, and inclusive digital ecosystems that contribute to broad-based, measurable development and humanitarian assistance outcomes through the responsible use of digital technology. USAID’s Policy Framework also references the importance of helping partners foster open, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystems that are vital to democratic societies. USAID/Bangladesh implemented the Bangladesh Digital Ecosystem Activity (BDEA), June 2020 – February 2021, to strengthen the digital space and provide trustworthy information for the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. The activity created a digital application to identify rumors related to COVID-19 and conducted a mass communication campaign to dispel them. Following BDEA, USAID/Bangladesh commissioned Digital Ecosystem for Country Assessment (DECA), a flagship initiative of the Digital Strategy, from June 2022 to February 2023. The DECA provided an understanding of Bangladesh’s digital ecosystem, opportunities, and challenges. It also informed, and continues to inform, the development, design, and implementation of USAID’s Strategy into Mission activities. The DECA report link. The DECA, which focused on digital infrastructure and adoption, digital society, exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms online, and the digital economy, produced 10 external and five internal recommendations to strengthen Bangladesh's digital ecosystem. Overall, the DECA recommended that USAID/Bangladesh ensure integration and sustainability of all digitally enabled interventions across the Mission’s portfolio. The primary internal recommendation is to advocate for and integrate good practices in program design for digital development. Furthermore, the primary external recommendation of DECA is to strengthen cybersecurity capacity through awareness raising, workforce development, improved cybersecurity practices, and targeted research. The DECA findings show that Bangladesh underperforms when it comes to the protection of digital services. As of 2022, there are no personal data protection policies in place in Bangladesh. Bangladesh also scored a zero (on a one-four scale) when it comes to its protection of personal data, and the country has not signed the Budapest Convention, an international treaty seeking to address internet and computer crime (cybercrime) by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and increasing cooperation among nations. The Bangladesh Cybersecurity Strategy 2021–2025 is the GoB’s commitment to a safe and secure digital ecosystem. Additionally, there are frequent reports of cybersecurity breaches and attacks in Bangladesh’s local media. Informed by the DECA’s internal and external recommendations, USAID is designing the Bangladesh Digital Development Activity (BDDA), a three year, $5 million activity that will run from 2025-2028. This activity will support and expand Bangladesh’s digital ecosystem by enabling USAID activities to integrate enhanced digital tools and by building the capacity for digitally enabled activities, including strengthening cybersecurity capacity and practices. The BDDA will identify the digital gaps for USAID/Bangladesh’s activities. After the gap assessment, the activity will assist USAID/Bangladesh activities in integrating digital tools in alignment with the USAID Digital Strategy and providing support for cybersecurity capacity building to implementing partners and beneficiaries. The activity will offer a range of training sessions on digital development and cybersecurity issues. The overall objective of BDDA is to advance digitally supported programming and strengthen the capacity of USAID/Bangladesh’s partners to achieve an inclusive and sustainable digital environment and secure and protected online presence. Responses received from Bangladeshi organizations will help USAID/Bangladesh to analyze the local capacity. USAID Questions: Understanding of the Challenges: Can you summarize your understanding of the gaps and challenges in the digital ecosystem of the development interventions in Bangladesh by different national and international organizations as well as donors? How do you think your organization can address the identified gaps and challenges? B. Experience in Supporting Digital Implementation: If available, please mention any similar activities/projects implemented by a Bangladeshi organization with any approximate dollar value, and complexity level. Could you provide details of the largest digital development activity/project your organization has managed, including the total budget, geographic location and duration? If available, please let us know how these projects above were designed and implemented Have you previously collaborated with international development agencies or partners, in supporting digital implementation efforts? If yes, how? Could you provide an overview of your organizational structure used to manage the project, including key positions and reporting lines? C. Technical Expertise: What technical capabilities does your organization possess in terms of digital data collection, digital payments systems, principles for digital development, cybersecurity, and data privacy? Could you provide examples of any additional digital tools and technology your organization has supported or implemented in the past? Can you highlight your organization’s expertise in conducting research in the area of cybersecurity gap assessment, defining the scope of digital tools development, and identifying emerging technologies for development projects such as artificial intelligence? D. Capacity Building and Training: How does your organization approach capacity building and training to empower stakeholders and partners in leveraging digital technologies effectively? Have you developed any training programs or resources specifically tailored to enhancing digital skills and literacy?