Standing with the coastal poor, tide after tide.
COAST Foundation participates in survival strategies of coastal poor: organising people, financing livelihoods, responding to disasters and carrying their voice from Bhola and Cox's Bazar to the world's climate talks.
Born on an island at the mouth of the Bay
COAST grew out of a project in southern Bhola, where the Ganges and Brahmaputra meet the Bay of Bengal in one of the world's most dangerous cyclone zones. Registered as a national NGO in 1998, it was built to be accountable to the people it serves: its own board, its own funds, and its own values.
Today COAST Foundation combines a people-centred microfinance programme with rights-based work, so that coastal families can earn, organise, and claim what is theirs from the state.
- Non-political, non-profit
- UN ECOSOC consultative status
- CHS Alliance & Sphere member
Eight ways we work for justice on the coast
01 Economic Justice
Savings, credit, training and technical support that help coastal families build income and assets, run as a socially responsible business rather than a mere service.
02 Social Justice
Building leadership among the poor so they can mediate their demands with local government, organise around local issues and claim their rights.
03 Climate Justice & Advocacy
Campaigning at local, national and international level for climate finance, tax and debt justice, and a fair deal for coastal people, through the EquityBD platform.
04 Rohingya Response & Localisation
Education, child protection, WASH and social cohesion for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox's Bazar and on Bhasan Char, alongside a national campaign for locally led response.
05 Disaster Risk Reduction & Response
A standing disaster policy, own emergency fund and trained staff that let COAST act within hours of cyclones, floods and tidal surges.
06 Small-Scale Fishers
Alternative livelihoods, skills and cash support for fishing families, and advocacy for dignified compensation during fishing bans.
07 Agriculture & Enterprise
Eco-friendly farming technology, value chains and micro-enterprise for coastal farmers, young entrepreneurs and women.
08 Health, Education & Community Radio
Primary healthcare, adolescent and child education, and two community radio stations that keep isolated coastal people informed.
178,880 people in seven regions
Programme participants by region in 2025, across the central and south-east coast, the Rohingya camps and Bhasan Char.
- Bhola
- Barishal
- Patuakhali
- Barguna
- Jhalakathi
- Pirojpur
- Cox's Bazar
- Chattogram
- Noakhali
- Laxmipur
- Feni
- Cumilla
We exist for the poor and for their interest. What we do is not the final answer; learning, action and experience show the way.
From the field and the front line of advocacy
Registered, audited and open
Every registration certificate, audit report and annual report is published for anyone to read.
Prime Minister's Office, since 24 February 1998
Licensed since 29 November 2007
Registered on 3 February 2021
Safeguarding Champion
Start Fund Bangladesh / Start Network · 2025
Sphere Community Bangladesh secretariat
Sphere Community Bangladesh · 2025-26
Special consultative status
UN ECOSOC · UN
Working together with
Good to know
Short answers about who we are, how we are funded and how to reach us.
What is COAST Foundation?
COAST Foundation (Coastal Association for Social Transformation) is a national, non-political NGO founded in 1998 on Bhola island. It works with poor and marginalised people in the coastal districts of Bangladesh on economic, social and climate justice, disaster response and the Rohingya humanitarian response.
Is COAST Foundation registered?
Yes. COAST is registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau of the Prime Minister's Office (No. 1242), licensed by the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (No. 00956-04041-00068) and registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (No. S-13496/2021). Copies of the certificates are on our Transparency page.
Where does COAST work?
In 136 branches across seven regions: Bhola, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Chattogram, Barishal, Cumilla and an outreach region, covering coastal districts from Barguna and Patuakhali to Cox's Bazar, plus the Rohingya camps and Bhasan Char.
How is COAST funded?
Core programmes (people's organisations, primary healthcare, disaster response fund and community radio) are paid for by surplus from COAST's own microfinance. Other projects are funded by partners such as PKSF, UNICEF, UNHCR, GIZ, IFAD, Tearfund and Start Fund Bangladesh.
How can I make a complaint?
Call our complaint hotlines (01711 455591 for men, 01713 328810 for women), write to [email protected], or use the complaint box at any COAST office. COAST has a complaint response mechanism with a whistle-blowing policy.
Are COAST's accounts audited?
Every year by an external audit firm enlisted with the NGO Affairs Bureau. Recent financial statements, annual reports and the Strategic Plan 2023-27 can be downloaded from our Transparency page.
Stand with the coastal poor
Partner with us, support emergency response or join our work. Every contribution reaches families living on the front line of climate change.