Industries
NGO & Foundation
NGO Affairs Bureau registration, foreign donation approvals, governance, and compliance for the development sector.
In short
Tuhin & Partners advises non-governmental organisations and foundations in Bangladesh on registration with the NGO Affairs Bureau, approval of foreign donations under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act 2016, project-wise approval and reporting, governance and constitutional documents, employment matters, and renewals. Foreign-funded activity in particular cannot proceed on registration alone — each project needs its own approval.
Key takeaways
- An organisation receiving foreign donations for voluntary activity must be registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau.
- Registration is not sufficient by itself: foreign-funded projects require separate project-wise approval.
- Registration is granted for a term and must be renewed, and reporting obligations run throughout.
- Tuhin & Partners advises on registration, project approvals, governance and compliance for the development sector.
Non-governmental organisations and foundations receiving foreign funding are regulated under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation framework and supervised by the NGO Affairs Bureau, with additional registration options under societies and trust law.
We advise on choice of legal form, registration, project and fund-release approvals, governance and constitutional documents, employment matters, procurement, and the reporting and audit obligations that accompany donor funding.
Common questions
Does an NGO in Bangladesh need to register with the NGO Affairs Bureau?
Registration with the NGO Affairs Bureau is required for an organisation carrying out voluntary activity with foreign donations. An organisation working only with domestic funds may instead be registered as a society, trust or company, depending on its structure and purpose.
How are foreign donations approved in Bangladesh?
Foreign donations are regulated under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act 2016, and the receiving organisation must obtain project-wise approval from the NGO Affairs Bureau before the funds are received and used. Funds are routed through designated bank accounts and accounted for against the approved project.
What is the difference between a society, a trust and a foundation in Bangladesh?
A society is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and is membership-based; a trust is created by a trust deed under the Trust Act 1882 and is managed by trustees for defined objects; "foundation" is a descriptive label rather than a separate legal form and is generally constituted as one of the two, or as a company with charitable objects.
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Advising in NGO & Foundation
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