Origin:

Working in the southern coastal areas of Bangladesh, COAST Trust provides services to people living in one of the world’s most dangerous cyclone zones. COAST has emerged as an NGO from the Bhola project of Action Aid in the beginning of 1998. The transformation came about in a painstaking process that took place during 1994-1997: reducing overhead cost in building capacity and enhancing coverage, empowering beneficiaries to change their role to active partners of the development initiatives, and finally forming board of trustees to ensure local accountability.

Mission:

COAST organizes strategically important activities related to development in the southeastern coastal areas of Bangladesh. These, in turn, facilitate the sustainable and equitable improvement of life especially of women, children and disadvantaged population of these areas. The strategies also encourage their increased participation in socio-economic, cultural and civic life.

COAST has a set of values outlining its working approach:

• Pro Poor Existence
• Experiential Learning
• Learning by Doing
• Equality of Human Potential
• Economy in Personal and Organizational
  Behavior
• Respect to Own Culture
• Gender Equality
• Right to Participation in Decision Making
• Communication, Relation and Accountability
• People's Organization
• Governance
• Environment & Diversity.

This list was prepared during 1998 99 and will be reviewed during the period of 2004 2005.