PROGRESS: Promoting Green Growth in Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Sector Through Skills
The PROGRESS project, implemented by Swisscontact and funded by the Embassies of Sweden and Switzerland, aims to contribute to the development of an inclusive, environmentally responsible, and competitive RMG sector in Bangladesh. It seeks to offer secure, decent, well-paid job opportunities—especially for women workers—while helping factories adapt to advancing technology and meet global ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards.
Five-Axis Transformation through PROGRESS
Data:The project undertakes baseline studies and gender analyses to map technical skills gaps, workforce demographics, and ESG readiness among Tier-2 and Tier-3 factories. These data inform targeted interventions.
Development Research Initiative (dRi)
Capacity Building / Technical Assistance: PROGRESS provides skills development and green-skills training for workers (with around 60% being women), improves productivity, boosts factory compliance with environmental and social standards, and builds the capacity of Local Technical Consultancy Providers to deliver quality advisory services.
Technology / Machinery: While direct large-scale machinery investment is not the primary focus, the project encourages adoption of energy-efficient technologies, resource-saving practices, and environmental improvements tied to factory operations to meet ESG benchmarks.
Finance: The project supports mobilising funding for green and sustainable factory upgrades, and encourages co-investment from factories to implement productivity and compliance improvements.
Policy: PROGRESS works with trade bodies, industry associations, and stakeholders to integrate ESG compliance into industry norms, promote sustainability reporting, and influence regulatory or buyer requirements.
Strategic Impact & Value Proposition
Women’s Empowerment: By targeting that ~60% of trainees are women, the project creates opportunities for women workers to gain skills, improve retention, and access better job security and income.
Enhanced Factory Competitiveness: Tier-2 and Tier-3 factories receive support to raise their productivity and compliance with ESG standards, helping them maintain market access in global supply chains.
Environmental and Social Improvements: Through green skills training and ESG reporting, the project helps reduce environmental impact (water, energy, waste), enhances social and labour conditions, and aligns factories with evolving sustainability expectations.
Sustainability & Resilience: By strengthening technical service providers locally, promoting green practices, and embedding compliance and ESG into operations, the project fosters a more resilient, future-ready RMG sector in Bangladesh.