CIRDAP is a regional, intergovernmental and autonomous organization working for Integrated Rural Development (IRD) in the Asia-Pacific region.

In July 1979, it was established at the initiative of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with support from several other UN bodies and donors with a mandate to (i) assist national action, (ii) promote regional cooperation, and (iii) act as a servicing intuition for its member countries for promotion of integrated rural development through research, action research, training and dissemination of information.

The objectives of the Centre are:

• To assist national action and promote regional co-operation relating to Integrated Rural Development (IRD), in the region;
• To act as a servicing institution for its member states;
• To encourage joint collective activities to benefit the member countries both individually and collectively;
• To poverty alleviation through people’s participation in the development process.

CIRDAP works for integrated rural development in its 15 member countries operating through designated contact ministries and link institutions. The major activities of CIRDAP are-

(i)    Conduct and, through the national IRD centres, promote research on various aspects of IRD in the region, with emphasis on alternative approaches leading to more effective field action programmes;

(ii)   Hold consultative conferences or other meetings enabling national decision-makers, research workers, planners and executives to exchange ideas and experiences on IRD and to identify areas in which collaborative efforts should be promoted for the mutual benefit of member states;

(iii)  Organise training courses on planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes for IRD and assist, where desired, the national IRD centres in implementing their respective training programmes;

(iv) Provide technical support to national IRD centres and maintain liaison with such centres and with national, regional or international organisations and agencies concerned with IRD;

(v)  Serve as a clearing house and data bank for information on IRD in the region and promote the dissemination of information through publications and the preparation of documentation, including the translation of significant publications on IRD;

(vi) Perform such other functions as may be necessary or useful for the attainment of its objectives.

CIRDAP has 15 member Countries which are – Afghanistan, Bangladesh (host state), Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

CIRDAP has one contact ministry (e.g. MRRD, MoALI, etc) and one link institution (e.g. AIRD, BARD, etc) in each of its member country. In collaboration with these ministry and institution CIRDAP works at regional and national level. As pr the Strategic Plan 2018-2022, CIRDAP is also planning to work in community level through its development partners.

Sustainable Development and Efficient use of Natural Resources

• Land Administration and Management
• Waste management
• Natural resource management

Livelihoods

• Poverty reduction
• Economic Productivity through Technological Innovation, Upgrading and Diversification and Related Policies
• Skill development
• Entrepreneurship
• Access to Financial Services
• Sustainable Tourism (Eco Tourism)
• New Development and emerging issues of rural livelihood

Access to Basic Services:

• Food and nutrition security
• Safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation
• Health and education
• Affordable reliable and modern renewable energy
• Access and use of ICT for IRD
• Decent housing
• Rural transportation access

Climate Change and Impacts

• Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change
• Mitigation of adverse impact

Governance

• Strengthening local governance and CBO/CSOs
• Gender Inclusive Governance

Management of Rural Areas in Transition

CIRDAP always looks forward to work with active and potential national, regional and international partnership. If any organization is interested to work with CIRDAP in mutual common areas of interest, they can communicate to dgcirdap@cirdap.org.

Upon the proposal CIRDAP will communicate with the organization if it meets CIRDAP’s area of interest.

CIRDAP regularly arrange training, exposure visit and capacity building programmes for Government Officials and development practitioners working in different areas of rural development.

Usually, Ministries and Link institutes of CIRDAP Member Countries are notified to send nominations for different international programmes. From the nominations, participants are selected based on the some pre-determined criteria.

However, for some programmes, open call for applications is circulated through CIRDAP website.

CIRDAP’s e-library, publications are open to all. Anyone can access the e-library at www.dspace.cirdap.org. Moreover, everyone is welcome to make best use of the CIRDAP Azizul Huq Library located in CIRDAP Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

For borrowing books one has to complete a membership form which is available in the Library. Fee is Tk. 1000 for the first year, a membership card which is valid for one year. Renewal membership fee is Tk. 500 per year.

For country wise data, interested one can make a request explaining the needs by email in usharani@cirdap.org , upon request CIRDAP will communicate.

CIRDAP’s vacancy announcements and internship opportunities are posted in the website time to time. Interested person are requested to visit opportunity section to learn more about CIRDAP Jobs offer and application procedure.

APJORD is a flagship publication of CIRDAP. The journal, published in every six months interval contains articles on development issues submitted by various scholars and development practitioners from CMCs. Articles are received round the year and a author may submit his/her article as per guidelines by email at apjord@cirdap.org ; alternatively articles can be submitted using to “submit articles” options placed under opportunity menu. Articles are selected as per editorial policy through rigorous review by panel of experts and editorial board.