Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK) is a locally rooted, non-governmental development organisation established in 1985. Over the past four decades, GUK — a women- and children-focused organisation — has worked with a strong people-centred approach to empower marginalised and disadvantaged communities across Bangladesh.

The organisation began its journey in Gaibandha, a northern district particularly vulnerable to poverty and climate-induced disasters. Since then, GUK has steadily expanded its operations and currently implements a diverse range of development and humanitarian programmes across 17 districts. These initiatives are carried out in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and various national and international partners, including UN agencies, as well as the private sector.

GUK prioritises working with populations living in riverine char areas, displaced communities, migrants, and persons with disabilities — groups that often face compounded vulnerabilities due to geographic isolation, environmental hazards, and social marginalisation.

GUK’s interventions are structured into four main sectors:
i. Social Development Programme
ii. Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment
iii. Social Business and Enterprises
iv. Humanitarian Response and Disaster Management

The organization’s efforts are powered by a team of skilled, efficient, and dedicated professionals. What sets GUK apart is its strong community presence, inclusive and gender-sensitive approach, commitment to transparency, and proven capacity for resilience and innovation.

Where We Work
Generally, we give priority to the following geographical locations for the improvement of overall livelihood condition of vulnerable and marginalsed people.

• Disaster and poverty-prone areas;
• River basin areas and chars (river island);
• Most vulnerable and Indigenous communities;
• Displaced, migrated and refugee communities.

We Work For
The organisation always gives priority to inclusion of the following groups of people in its development interventions.

• Poor, extremely poor female and male;
• Persons and children with disabilities;
• Indigenous people;
• Marginalised farmers;
• Small and medium entrepreneurs;
• Adolescents, youth and children;
• Trafficking-in-Person and GBV Survivors;
• Those who suffer from unsafe migration

Mainstreaming Issues
The following themes are the mainstreaming issues within the organisation. 

Gender	Child Protection
Environment, Climate Change & DRR	Disability and Ethnic Minority