Rayerbazar Reimagined
Bangladesh | Rayerbazar Reimagined - Eco Champions | 2024
Nomoskar!
We are the Eco Champions, a youth-led movement committed to transforming Rayerbazar into a cleaner, greener community. In 2024, we launched Rayerbazar Reimagined: From Waste to Wellness, a campaign to tackle rampant waste mismanagement, raise community awareness, and promote youth-led sustainability solutions. Our mission? To reimagine waste as a resource and build a healthier environment through community-led action and creativity.
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15 to 24 years old
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The Right-Sized Problem
Rayerbazar has long suffered from unhealthy living conditions due to poor waste management. Overflowing bins, plastic pollution, and a lack of awareness have made the area vulnerable to disease and environmental decline. Without intervention, these issues will continue to endanger public health and sustainability.
What did we do?
Over three months, we ran a multi-pronged, creative campaign that engaged youth, residents, and local institutions through both offline and online strategies.
Offline Impact
🎉 Campaign Launch – A high-energy event brought together over 400 students, teachers, environmental experts, and community leaders to spark the shift toward sustainable waste practices.
🏘️ Community Awareness Drive – Reached 1,000 households and 20 tea stalls, distributing jute bags, dustbins, and reusable alternatives, replacing single-use plastics.
🎭 Theatre for Development (TFD) – Brought waste issues to life through storytelling and performance, attended by 400 residents and local representatives.
🏫 School Awareness Events – Hosted interactive sessions in two secondary schools, reaching over 450 students, encouraging them to lead their own environmental efforts.
🎨 Wall Art Campaign – In partnership with artist Morshed Mishu, transformed a public wall into a powerful mural promoting waste awareness and sustainability.
🛠️ Workshop on Recycling – Trained SHIFTers on creative reuse and waste transformation techniques to lead by example.
🚛 Roadshow – A mobile awareness campaign traveled through Rayerbazar with colorful visuals, messaging, and youth advocates, culminating the campaign in a vibrant, community-wide celebration of action.
Online & Media Impact
📱 Social Media Content & Music Video – Created and shared a campaign music video and updates to expand our digital reach.
📰 Media Coverage – Reached over 5.4 million people through TV, newspapers, and online platforms, generating national buzz.
Campaign Impact
8,019 people engaged directly through school, community, and theatre events
24,968 reached via roadshow visibility
5,499,816 reached through media (TV + print)
SHIFTers gained recycling and leadership skills through hands-on training
Local mindset shift toward reusable alternatives and better waste habits
A standout success came when residents of Rayerbazar began replacing plastic cups with paper ones, and local tea stalls voluntarily adopted new waste bins—a clear sign that youth-led change is making waves.
What’s Next?
We’re committed to long-term transformation by:
📌 Scaling community waste segregation and recycling initiatives
📌 Expanding partnerships to support eco-infrastructure in schools and markets
📌 Launching follow-up school programs for sustained student-led advocacy
