Locally rooted. Feminist. Community-led. Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS) is a non-profit, non-political and community-based development and humanitarian organization based in Barishal, Bangladesh.
Who we are
Since 1998, AVAS has worked alongside local communities, local government, civil society organizations and development partners to advance rights, equality, dignity and resilience. Our participatory work focuses on people experiencing poverty, climate vulnerability and social exclusion.
Vision and mission
Vision: An environment and technology-friendly, gender-sensitive, fair, self-reliant, inclusive and harmonious society.
Mission: Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS) is a women-led nonprofit organization in Bangladesh dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. We promote women’s rights, gender equality, education, sustainable livelihoods, disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and humanitarian assistance through community-led initiatives, helping vulnerable people live with dignity, safety, and equal opportunities.
Governance and accountability
AVAS maintains a governance structure comprising a 21-member General Committee, a 7-member Executive Committee and a 3-member Advisory Committee. The Executive Committee is elected for three years and meets quarterly or as needed. Professional management teams and project personnel implement approved programmes with policy oversight.
Institutional policies cover safeguarding, human resources, financial management, procurement, complaints response, prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), anti-fraud and anti-corruption, environmental governance and data protection. Financial and programme monitoring practices support transparent reporting and response to community concerns.
Our values
- Equity: dignity and equal opportunities for women, children, people with disabilities, minorities and marginalized people.
- Accountability: transparency, responsible stewardship and meaningful feedback.
- Inclusion: participation and representation in planning and decision making.
- Integrity: ethical practice, safeguarding and responsible decisions.
- Resilience: local ability to adapt, recover and lead sustainable solutions.
- Empowerment: stronger confidence, voice, skills and self-reliance.
- Human Rights and Social Justice: participation without discrimination and exclusion.
- Local leadership: community participation, with particular attention to women and young people.
Focus of our work
AVAS programmes span inclusive development, livelihoods, women’s rights, child protection, health and SRHR, nutrition, WASH, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian action, education, youth empowerment, accountable governance and human rights.
Partners and networks
Collaboration with community organizations, local institutions and development partners is central to AVAS’s approach. Learn more about these relationships on our Partners & Networks page.
Read AVAS’s vision, mission and goals · Explore governance · View registration certificate