Research Project on “The Capacity Development of Joyeeta Foundation (JF)”

Joyeeta Foundation (JF) operates from its Dhaka headquarters. It aims to support women entrepreneurs (IWEs and WEAs) across eight divisions, by managing their supply chains – from production to sales locations like Joyeeta Tower and Rapa Plaza.

The DataSense research unit of iSocial conducted a comprehensive service needs assessment using secondary data, interviews, and focus groups, identifying training and service needs, beneficiaries, and optimal divisional office locations. The study’s key outcomes include, mapping existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs’ needs, uncovering challenges and opportunities, and developing a roadmap to deliver targeted services nationwide, helping JF tailor support in product selection, investment, and business management to support women’s economic empowerment in a cohesive manner.

Project timeline:  Dec 2025 – June 2024

Partners: 

1. Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA)
2. Joyeeta Foundation (JF)
3. Bangladesh Bank
4. Commercial Banks and NBFIs (partnered for financing WEs)
5. Training Institutions (for capacity-building activities)
6. Digital Design and ERP Solution Providers
7. Directorate of Posts
8. Local Government Digital Centers (UISCs/UDCs)
9. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)

Project objective:

Joyeeta Foundation, operated by MoWCA, launched a service needs assessment to support women entrepreneurs (IWEs and WEAs) across Bangladesh’s eight divisions. Conducted by DataSense, the study involved 268 in-depth interviews (IDIs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs), using data from the 2022 BBS Handicrafts Survey. It identified service gaps, training needs, value and supply chain bottlenecks, and product quality issues. The research produced a roadmap for establishing divisional offices and tailoring support services, enabling JF to enhance women’s access to resources, business growth, and economic empowerment nationwide.

Project outcome:

• Enhanced Skills & Entrepreneurial Capacities: Introduction of technical training on product design, marketing, and material sourcing. Expansion of training beyond Dhaka to Sylhet, Chittagong, and Rangpur using hybrid modalities. New training modules on e-commerce, regulatory compliance, and supplier relations developed and rolled out.
• Improved Financial Access: Joyeeta Foundation collaborated with banks, NBFIs, and DFIs to expand access to credit in Chittagong, Khulna, Mymensingh, and Rangpur. Introduction of tailored loan services, including, product design financing, logistics and delivery financing, store renovation financing in Rangpur and Rajshahi. Financing manual was developed to streamline WE access to financial institutions.
• Strengthened Infrastructure and Logistics: Operationalization of Joyeeta Tower in Dhaka as a centralized information hub. Establishment plans for seven divisional Joyeeta Centres outside Dhaka. Setup of workshops for prototyping and access to production space and utilities through investor partnerships. Collaboration with Directorate of Posts to build last-mile and cross-border logistics systems.
• Digital Transformation: Upgradation of the e-Joyeeta platform into a one-stop digital service center with integrated ERP features (inventory, client, and financial management). All WEs from divisions onboarded to the platform. Technical product design support introduced, starting with Sylhet.
• Policy Advocacy and Compliance Awareness: Advocacy conducted with ministries (Commerce, Industries, Environment, Finance, Labor) and regulatory bodies (BSTI, NBR, Bangladesh Bank). Awareness raised on environmental, labor, financial, and IP compliance. Promotion of cross-border trade readiness among WEs.
• Extended Business Services and Market Intelligence: Support systems built to help WEs outsource product design, manage inventory, and make data-driven business decisions. Periodic market and sectoral analysis initiated to tailor services based on regional demands.
• Comprehensive Data Collection and Service Delivery Insight: Developed a structured entrepreneur profiling questionnaire for detailed understanding of:

• • Value chain pain points (design, sourcing, production, marketing, sales)
  • Customer behavior and market trends
  • Regional entrepreneurship landscape
  • Preferred service delivery models for WE support

Survey data used to tailor region-specific interventions and digital service design.

Project Impact:

• Inclusive Geographical Coverage

The project served all 8 divisions of Bangladesh:

1. Dhaka – Central operations, Joyeeta Tower hub, core services and training.
2. Chittagong – E-commerce and compliance training, credit access.
3. Khulna – Access to credit and infrastructural outreach.
4. Rajshahi – Store renovation support, market development.
5. Rangpur – Training, renovation financing, and delivery logistics.
6. Sylhet – Marketing training and digital design support pilot.
7. Mymensingh – Credit access and service integration.
8. Barisal – Planned inclusion in the divisional center expansion and logistics.

• Socio-Economic Empowerment: Boosted women’s capacity to start, sustain, and scale Increased household income and reduced dependency through economic participation. Created regional employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth.
• Digital and Market Integration: Enabled WEs to access online marketplaces, ERP tools, and service information through e-Joyeeta. Bridged the urban-rural digital divide through partnerships with Union and Upazila Digital Centers (UISCs/UDCs).
• Sustainable Ecosystem Building: Fostered long-term partnerships across government, private sector, and civil society. Embedded gender-responsive and inclusive practices into the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Strengthened Joyeeta’s institutional capacity to scale services nationally and internationally.