Actionaid Bangladesh to host inaugural nexus fest 2025

Nexus Fest 2025 will take place in five of the country's most climate-vulnerable districts: Chattogram, Barguna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, and Teknaf. Organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, the event aims to foster an inclusive, sustainable society by uniting humanitarian response, climate action, development, and peacebuilding efforts.

The festival will feature participatory and innovative activities, including art and project exhibitions, cultural performances, and community engagement, with the involvement of local youth, civil society representatives, and government officials.

Communities here face intertwined challenges: climate change, humanitarian crises, social tensions, and barriers to development. By focusing on youth, the festival aims to develop integrated solutions to these problems.

Co-organisers include Nazrul Smriti Sangsad (Barguna), Coastal Development Organisation for Women (Satkhira), Bright Bangladesh Forum (Chattogram), and Society for Health Extension and Development (Teknaf).

Nexus Fest will begin tomorrow, August 26, and continue until August 31. The first phase will take place on 26–27 August at the Shilpakala Academy in Chattogram and the Bidyaniketan field in Patharghata, Barguna. It will then move to the Shilpakala Academy in Satkhira and the Bagerhat Zila Parishad grounds on 27–28 August, before concluding at Sabrang High School in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, on 30–31 August.

Md Jabin Bin Solaiman, a community member and student from Chattogram, said: "We are delighted to have a platform like Nexus Fest. It gives young people like us the opportunity to speak, to share solutions, and to contribute directly to the development of our communities."

Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said: "Nexus Fest aims to enhance community resilience in the face of climate change vulnerabilities. It integrates the needs of humanitarian and climate action, encourages developmental initiatives, and fosters peacebuilding. We believe it will create a powerful platform for all stakeholders, including the government, to listen, take action, and drive engagement."

Nazmul Ahsan, lead of Youth and Just Society at ActionAid Bangladesh, added: "ActionAid Bangladesh empowers young people to lead comprehensive community development. Climate change cannot be addressed in isolation — it must be tackled holistically, alongside the realisation of the rights of marginalised communities and the pursuit of peace and social cohesion. Nexus Fest is a platform to amplify youth leadership, connect communities, and engage all stakeholders to ignite meaningful, lasting change."

The festival will showcase youth-led innovations and cultural expressions through research, storytelling, debates, and policy dialogues. Traditional performances such as Jari Gaan, Gambhira, Jatra Pala, and theatre will highlight local voices and culture. To ensure inclusivity, events will include a girls' cycling rally and a father-daughter football match, alongside folk music, sports, and creative campaigns to boost community engagement and social cohesion.