Together for Bangladesh - NETZ eV Partnerschaft für Entwicklung ...

Photo: Niko Richter 

Dear Reader, 

Top-down approaches to development 

do not work. People suffering from 

poverty and discrimination must take 

action themselves. Development can be 

sustainable only this way. We support 

these people in the spirit of partnership 

while respecting their dignity. 

This annual report gives an overview 

of what people in Bangladesh, together 

with NETZ, have achieved in 2011. It 

also highlights the challenges we jointly 

face. A lot is happening in Bangladesh in 

terms of economic, social and cultural 

development, and all that without any 

external support. However, not everyone 

benefits from these encouraging trends. 

People at the fringes of society lose out, 

or their situation even worsens. Large 

parts of the population continue to face 

q 

extreme hardship and injustice. 32 million 

people go hungry every day. People 

get displaced from their land or lose 

their only sources of income. They are 

being denied any opportunity to change 

their situation for the better. It is those 

people that NETZ works with. Together 

with local organisations, we stand by 

The German Central Institute for Social Issues 

(“Deutsches Zentralinstitut für soziale 

Fragen”, DZI) re-awarded its 

Seal of Approval to NETZ 

in 2011 which testifies the 

responsible use of donations 

received. 

their side, and by doing so, a lot has 

been achieved in 2011: 

1 104,852 people improved their food 

situation. 2,406 families, who are among the 

poorest, joined our livelihood programme.. 

2 19,174 children went to primary school. 

6,934 of them participated in the official 

final examination and 97.3% passed. 

3 12,243 people who were previously 

denied access to the social security net, 

received allowances from the state social 

security system. More than 100,000 people 

were successfully supported in the protection 

of their land rights. 

In 2011, NETZ provided a perspective to 

tens of thousands of families in Bangladesh 

through projects on sustainable 

livelihood, primary education and 

human rights. Even today, after 40 years 

of independence, millions of extremely 

poor families, women and girls continue to 

be denied acces to those basic rights. Ain 

o Shalish Kendra and NETZ work in close 

partnership to ensure people become 

aware of their rights and act to have them 

enforced. 

I am very impressed by the enormous commitment 

and creativity of NETZ staff, part- 

Annual Report 2011 

Together for Bangladesh 

NETZ fights for human dignity and 

against hunger in Bangladesh. Professionally 

and through partnership 

approaches, NETZ supports self-help 

activities for nutrition, education and 

human rights. 

4 Talks with the then German Federal 

President, Mr Christian Wulff, and the Federal 

Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, 

Mr Dirk Niebel, supported our agenda. 

Together with the people in need, our 

partner organisations, the many active 

supporters, private and public funders 

and donors we are having a strong 

impact. 

NETZ brings people together and 

guarantees quality. My heartfelt thanks 

to all of you for your support! 

Ingo Ritz, 

Executive Director 

ners, young volunteers and supporters in 

Germany, in our joint engagement against 

hunger and for justice in Bangladesh. 

I wish NETZ and all its supporters continuous 

success in this important work! 

Sultana Kamal, 

Executive Director of 

the NETZ partner organisation 

Ain o Salish 

Kendra.

Photo: Sven Wagner 

NETZ Annual Report 2011 

Programme 1: Sustainable livelihoods 

NETZ fights against ultra poverty 

32 million people in Bangladesh suffer from hunger. People engaged in NETZ are not prepared to accept this. 

Together with local partner organisations and women from affected families, NETZ has developed a self-help 

concept that enables the poorest families to feed themselves and to have sustainable access to clothing, health 

care and education for their children. 

1 NETZ supported 31,049 families 

through the livelihood programme, to 

enable them to earn their own living in 

the long term. 

2 NETZ included an additional 2,406 

families in the programme in 2011. 

Zaheda Begum from Kurigram: 

An example 

Only two years ago, Zaheda Begum’s 

life was marked by poverty and 

hunger. One meagre meal a day was 

all she, her husband and their three 

children could afford. Born physically 

handicapped, Zaheda’s husband 

is unable to work, and the 

family does not receive any state 

benefits. 

In 2010, NETZ started its livelihood 

programme in Kurigram in Northern 

Bangladesh. Zaheda now participates 

in the weekly meetings of 

her village group where women collectively 

stand up for their rights. 

Zaheda received a cow, ducks and 

important trainings through the 

programme. 

From the profits made she bought 

a sheep and a goat, and she also 

grows cucumbers and chillies. 

Two years ago, living in extreme 

poverty, now successful small 

farmers: Zaheda Begum and her 

husband Monser Ali. 

Now able to feed 

their families: 

Participants in the 

sustainable livelihood 

programme. 

At a glance: Livelihood Programme for 

the Ultra Poor 

Development of self-help structures of the 

poorest 

Training courses in agriculture, microbusiness 

management, women‘s rights and 

health care among others. 

Start-up assets distributed: cows, goats, chicken, 

rickshaw, or seeds and the lease for a 

piece of land to grow rice and vegetables. 

31,049 families sustainably generate their 

own income. 

The women have become key actors in development 

and claim their rights. 

“Now I earn enough to afford three 

meals a day for us. We are better 

accepted by others in my village, 

which makes me very happy”, 

Zaheda says. 

Challenges 

NETZ works together with the poorest 

families. The livelihood programme 

also includes women with 

a limited ability to work due to their 

age or a physical handicap. In the 

2 

Who Benefits? 

31,049 women organised themselves in 

1,806 village groups. 

22,770 women participated in training 

sessions. 

2,406 new families were included in the 

programme. 

This resulted in improved nutrition for 

104,852 family members. 

Supported by village groups, families received 

allowances from official social safety net 

programmes in 12,243 cases. 

past, they mainly relied on begging 

for survival. About 15% of the families 

in the programme struggle to 

earn a sustainable income on their 

own. The village groups show more 

and more solidarity with these people 

and help them gain access to 

social welfare schemes or support 

them in their agricultural work. 

Photo: Sven Wagner

sI regularly support parents from 

our parish who want to have their 

children baptised. Together we plan 

the ceremony, and we feel grateful for 

the joy brought to us through those 

children. At the ceremony, we usually 

want to express what we feel and share 

this spirit of joy with others. Thus the 

donations collected at the baptism service 

are given to mothers who equally 

love their children but are very poor and 

do not know how to get food for them. 

Parents here believe in the long-term 

prospects that the NETZ livelihood 

programme offers to those mothers. 

And parents here are glad to share 

their joy by supporting families they do 

not even know. It is also very good to 

know that our money really reaches the 

people and will be spent to help them 

help themselves. At least once a year we 

celebrate the Day of Hope in our parish. 

We learn about the projects supported 

by NETZ and look at the happy faces 

Programme 2: Primary education 

NETZ supports the poorest children 

3 

far away where our contribution has ar- 

» 

rived. And their joy radiates back to us. 

Gabriele Medam is a teacher from 

Rottenburg, Germany 

and member 

of the Bangladesh 

Group in Tuebingen- 

Hirschau, Germany. 

In Bangladesh, about 3.5 million children between the age of six and ten do not go to school. More than half of 

all girls and boys do not complete primary school. The poorer a family is, the more fundamental are the reasons 

why their children do not continue or even enrol in school. Furthermore the quality of education in many 

formal primary schools is so poor that the students hardly learn anything. 

In 2011, NETZ and its partner organisations 

were active at 316 primary 

schools located in remote, povertystricken 

regions of Northern Bangladesh: 

19,174 children were given 

access to high quality primary education 

and received the basic skills for a 

better future. 

Children living in areas that are hard 

to reach, such as the islands on major 

rivers in the North of the country, and 

indigenous children whose mother 

tongue is not spoken in the state-run 

primary schools, have hardly any educational 

opportunities. NETZ ensures 

their fundamental right to education 

through the establishement of 

240 basic non-formal primary schools 

and by professional supervision and 

guidance to teachers. 

Furthermore, NETZ supported 10 

community schools for classes 1 to 5. 

In 2011, pre-school classes including 

child-focused methods were introduced 

at these schools. Every year, 

300 new students, more than half of 

them from the poorest families, are 

enrolled. Doctors visit all schools 

Right to education: 

Students at the 

Rajnagar primary 

school, Netrakona 

At a glance: Education Programme Who Benefits? 

316 schools provided improved quality education. 19,174 students 

Learning materials and 2 health camps per school per 

year funded for 240 basic non-formal schools. 

Learning materials, 2 health camps per year and intensive 

teacher training funded for 10 community-run 

primary schools. 

Improved quality of teaching and special support for the 

poorest children in 66 formal primary schools. 

31 pre-schools independently managed by women‘s 

self-help organisations. 

5,771 girls and boys 

1,405 students 

11,998 girls and boys 

Training of teachers. 270 teachers 

840 pre-school age children 


Photo: Niko Richter


twice a year for medical check-ups 

and treatment. The quality of education 

and the efficiency of teaching 

have improved through intensive 

training and coaching of the 

teachers. 

“Education Support Organisers” 

have provided specific assistance to 

particularly disadvantaged children 

at 66 formal primary schools. Parents 

committees and school committees 

have been established and 

strengthened, so they can demand 

further improvements in the quality 

of education from the responsible 

authorities. 

WeltKlasse! Partnership 

with schools in Bangladesh 

In 2011, more than 100 schools 

in Bangladesh received support 

through partners in Germany and 

Austria: parishes, schools, associations, 

companies and individuals. 

The NETZ programme “WeltKlasse!” 

facilitates this school partnership. 

Letters and photographs are 

exchanged, and young people doing 

a voluntary service with NETZ 

in Bangladesh report from these 

schools, also at events organised by 

the German and Austrian partners. 

oIn 1998, we initiated charity cycling 

at the Deutschorden Grammar School 

(“Deutschorden-Gymnasium”), Bad 

Mergentheim, Germany. Since 2004, our 

students have cycled to raise funds for 

Bangladesh. Organised and actively supported 

by many teachers, large groups of 

people who are eager to ‘let off steam’ be- 

Successful completion of primary schools in 2011 

Primary education: 

Challenges 

Particularly in remote areas, the 

teachers’ educational level is comparatively 

low and the quality of teaching 

has to be further improved. Children 

with special needs and disabilities are 

already targeted and supported by the 

schools. However, raising awareness 

for their situation among the teachers 

and other students and their integration 

into the classes remains a challenge. 

In November 2011, 80% of the 

fore the end of term get on their bicycles. 

Each year, the organisers motivate many 

people to join in. This has created a unique 

joint experience along the lines of ‘think 

globally, act locally’. 

We can rely on the support of NETZ: At 

‘information day’, the junior and intermediate 

classes get an enormous boost in 

motivation when they listen to the lively 

and authentic presentations about the 

people and culture of Bangladesh, given 

by people who are engaged in NETZ. One 

of our colleagues puts it this way: ‘I am 

pleased to give our students the chance 

to look a little further than the end of their 

nose and to learn something about the 

living conditions in Bangladesh. The presentations 

by former NETZ volunteers help 

4 


In November 2011, 6,934 students 

from NETZ-supported schools 

took the official final examination 

for primary schools, and 

97.3% passed. At the 10 community 

run primary schools 100% 

of the students passed. 93% were 

awarded the grade “good” or 

even “excellent”. Given the difficult 

general conditions in the 

programme area, these results 

are a great success. 

students, who were prepared by NETZ 

for the school leaving examination, 

took their exam. 

The main reasons for school dropouts 

were relocation of the family and 

thus the need to change school, poverty 

of the parents, and in some cases 

also child marriages. Stronger efforts 

must be made to prevent school dropouts 

and child marriages. In order 

to achieve this, our partner organisations 

are in close contact with the 

childrens’ families. 

a lot to achieve this.’ And learning that our 

cycling helps more than 80 children, most 

of them girls, to go to primary schools for 

a whole year, inspires us most. We support 

them to have a better chance in life. 

The transparency, openness and willingness 

to help that NETZ shows towards us, 

contributes to our motivation to continue 

supporting the people in Bangladesh. 

Josef Knoblauch (photo: 3rd person 

from left) is Deputy Headmaster of 

the Deutschorden-Gymnasium, Bad 

Mergentheim, Germany.

Programme 3: Human rights 

NETZ stands up for the rights of the poorest in the villages 

The protection of fundamental human rights is an integral part of the constitution of Bangladesh. 

In reality, however, large groups of people see their rights systematically violated. These include landless people, 

women and minorities. The existing laws are not properly enforced and applied, and the legal framework 

needs improvement in many aspects. 

Together with leading human rights 

organisations in Bangladesh, NETZ 

strengthens those who struggle 

for their rights. At the same time, 

NETZ is part of a network seeking 

to improve the legal framework and 

ensure legal prosecution whenever 

rights are grossly violated. 

1 As members of human rights committees 

and theatre groups, 81 women and 

men in 10 Districts participated in training 

sessions in order to denounce human 

rights violations in their villages and to assist 

the victims. 

2 20 elected Union Parishad (Union 

Council) members from 10 Districts 

received trainings on human rights. They 

actively spoke up for victims of rights violations. 

3 Publishing of a book on the situation of 

women under the Muslim family law. 

4 Supporting the development of the 

“Right to Food” campaign 

5 Human rights defenders exposed to 

repressions, received support through 

international publicity and concrete local 

help. 

Challenges 

Traditions and existing power structures 

in the villages are serious 

obstacles. Those who are afraid of 

losing their power often obstruct 

directly or indirectly human rights 

work. For instance, men keep their 

Programme 4: Disaster preparedness and response 

NETZ promotes prevention and provides sustainable support 

Bangladesh is among the countries most affected 

by the consequences of climate change. 

In all flood-prone working areas, 

NETZ promotes preventive measures. 

People participate in training 

sessions and build up disaster funds. 

School buildings are better protected 

through raised ground levels. 

NETZ financed technical security 

Standing up for human rights: Members 

of human rights committees 

rallying for women’s rights in Dhaka. 

checks of four flood shelters in the 

coastal area that were constructed 

with NETZ support in 1991-1992. 

5 

wives from attending meetings of 

the human rights committees. Theatre 

activists receive open threats. 

Although resistance against the 

human rights committees tends to 

decline once their work starts getting 

recognition, it is still powerful 

enough. Different mindsets should 

be called into question, also and particuarly 

by human rights activists 

themselves. 

Participants in the livelihood 

programme take part in training sessions and build up disaster funds. 


Photo: Lukas Jednicki 

Photo: Zahidul Karim Salim


Strengthening rights and combating poverty through political 

dialogue and networking – for better policies 

In 2011, NETZ brought together civil society organisations and human 

rights activists from Bangladesh with German and European political 

decision-makers. 

In 2011, NETZ brought together civil 

society organisations and human 

rights activists from Bangladesh 

Discussing the current situation in 

Bangladesh: former German Federal 

President Christian Wulff with 

NETZ employee Dirk Saam and 

NETZ Executive Director Ingo Ritz. 

Gana Unnayan Kendra 

(GUK) 

Sustainable livelihood 

Primary education 

Polli Sree 


Sachetan 


Ashrai 



Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF) 



. 


with German and European political 

decision-makers. 

In a network called Bangladesh 

Forum Germany, NETZ cooperates 

with Amnesty International, Bread 

for the World, Church Development 

Service (Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst, 

EED), Misereor and 

Shanti. NETZ is entrusted with the 

administrative management of this 

network. In 2011, it prepared topics 

and proposals for official visits 

to Bangladesh of the German Federal 

Minister for Economic Cooperation 

and Development, Mr. Dirk Niebel, 

and the EU Commissioner for Development, 

Mr. Andris Piebalgs. The 

focus was on challenges of development 

policies and human rights 

in Bangladesh, amongst others, on 

NETZ-Partners and projects in Bangladesh 

Rajshahi 

. Rangpur 

. 

. Dhaka 

Khulna 

Barisal. 

6 

Mahideb Jubo Somaj Kallayan 

Somity (MJSKS) 


. 

Sylhet 

. 

Chittagong 

the question of how the country can 

enable its 32 million extremely poor 

people to sustainably and independently 

work their way out of poverty. 

The Bangladesh Forum Germany 

also held talks with the then German 

Federal President, Mr. Christian 

Wulff, in Dhaka on the relevance of 

civil society work in Bangladesh and 

the necessity for organisations and 

human rights activists to operate 

freely and without any restrictions. 

All topics and demands fed into discussions 

with political stakeholders 

are based on the work of civil society 

in Bangladesh. Therefore an intensive, 

regular exchange between the 

Bangladesch Forum Germany and 

civil society actors from Bangladesh 

takes place. 

Udayan Swabolombee 

Sangstha (USS) 



Sabalamby Unnayan 

Samity (SUS) 



NETZ 

Quality monitoring and 

finance management 

Human rights 

Disaster preparedness 

TARANGO 

Empowerment of women 

through handicrafts 

Ain o Shalish 

Kendra (ASK) 

Human rights

Global learning and international understanding 


NETZ connects people in Bangladesh and Germany through knowledge about each other, personal encounters 

and joint action for more justice. Committed staff and voluntary supporters make the changes and challenges 

in Bangladesh visible in many ways. By sharing our experiences and reflecting on them together with others 

we grow and strengthen our motivation to act in solidarity with the poorest. 

Development education 

NETZ spells out development policy issues by illustrating 

the situation in Bangladesh. It discusses options for 

taking action and demonstrates how helping people help 

Acting together for Bangladesh: 

Activities and events in Germany during 2011 

Please tell us about your events. 

Wilsum 

Weener 

Schüttorf 

Rellingen 

Hamburg 

Neu Wulmstorf 

Neustadt a.R. 

Ribnitz-Damgarten 

Berlin 

Dinslaken 

Duisburg 

Werne 

Werl 

Senftenberg 

Krefeld Oberhausen/Sterkrade 

Tönisvorst 

Neuss 

Köln 

Eschweiler 

Zülpich/Wichterich 

Düsseldorf Kassel 

Dresden 

Bergisch-Gladbach 

Guthmannshausen 

Bensberg Marburg 

Jena 

Gießen Vacha, 

Limbach-Oberfrohna 

Vettelschoß Lich 

Unterbreizbach 

Bonn Wetzlar Hüttenberg/Oberkleen 

Schöffengrund Waldsolms 

Frankfurt a.M. 

Bayreuth 

Alzey 

Würzburg 

Tauberbischofsheim 

Walldürn 

Bad Mergentheim 

Pforzheim Schwäbisch-Hall 

Straubenhardt, Engelsbrand, 

Waldrennach, Arnbach, Schwann, 

Neuenbürg, Birkenfeld 

Ludwigsburg 

Stuttgart 

Tübingen/Hirschau 

Oberkirch Rottenburg Ulm 

Altglashütten 

Freiburg 

Rottweil 

Lenzkirch Wolfegg 

München 

Schluchsee 

Ravensburg 

Überlingen 

K“Fascinated, deeply moved and full of ambition I returned from 

a school exchange visit to Bangladesh to my familiar surroundings 

in 2007. Very quickly, I realised that I wanted to get to know 

this fascinating country with its rich culture and cordial people. 

During my voluntary service with NETZ in Bangladesh in 2010, I 

was moved by people’s fates, and by encounters and friendships 

that all left a deep impression on me. I learned about the causes 

of poverty and ways to overcome it. I admire people’s will-power 

and perseverance, and through my commitment to NETZ, I can 

contribute to supporting them. Through my active engagement, 

people in Germany also get an insight into Bangladesh, with all its 

7 

themselves can be successful – through understanding, 

respect and the participation of everyone in learning and 

development processes. In 2011, parishes, schools, associations, 

companies and individuals showed their support 

for the people of Bangladesh at various action days, 

events and festivities. 

1 4,355 people participated in 100 events and activities organised 

by NETZ supporters. The main topics were: development 

cooperation, combating hunger, education, working conditions 

in the garment industry, consumer behaviour, human rights and 

the Millennium Development Goals. 

Voluntary Service and Dialogue & Exchange 

Programme 

1 14 young volunteers worked with NETZ partner organisa- 

tions in Bangladesh, to strengthen the partnership between 

people in Bangladesh and Germany. After their return, many 

volunteers keep playing an active part in our development education 

work in Germany. 

2 School exchange: 8 students and 2 teachers of the Otto Hahn 

Grammar School, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, participated in 

this programme in Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh-related public relations and 

media work in Germany 

1 Newspapers, magazines and radio broadcasts published 

more than 50 reports about our work in 2011. 

2 The Bangladesh magazine “NETZ” is an important source 

of information in German language. Topics in 2011 included: 40 

years of independence, economic growth, health care, and the 

situation of elderly people. 

fascination, but also with its difficulties. When I run development 

education events in Germany, people’s participation and interest 

show me that problems in Bangladesh do concern us, too. We do 

not have our hands tied – every single one of us can contribute.” 

Regina Breg, NETZ volunteer in 

2010. Since returning to Germany, 

she has been an active member of 

the working groups “Development 

Education” and “Voluntary Service” 

at NETZ. 

Together for Bangladesh


Income 2011 

January 1st, 2011 – December 31st, 2011 in € in % 

The total income of NETZ in 2011 was 

more than €3.81 million, an increase 

of 12% compared to 2010. The income 

through grant funds has risen by 12% 

to €3,245,000. This is mainly due to 

an increase in public grants. The largest 

grants came from the European 

Union, the UK Department for International 

Development (DFID) and 

the German Federal Ministry for Economic 

Cooperation and Development 

(BMZ). 

NETZ receives donations from 

groups, parishes, schools, individuals 

and, on a small scale, from companies. 

In case of substantial donations from 

companies, we check the ethical standards 

of their activities. NETZ accepts 

donations from companies only, if 

their policies do not have a negative 

impact on the situation of the poorest 

people and are not contrary to our values 

in other respects. Donations are 

utilised according to the specified purpose. 

The total amount of donations 

has risen to €545,445 in 2011. 

8 

Financial Year 2011 2010 

Development 

projects 

Global 

learning 

Private donations (including carol singers campaign) 545,444.86 14.3 494,656.89 50,787.97 470,846.81 

Financial donations 544,966.61 494,415.89 50,550.72 

Donations in form of waiver of the claim for refunding 

of expenses 

478.25 241.00 237.25 

Membership fees 15,159.35 0.4 15,159.35 15,107.22 

State grants 3,080,263.48 80.7 2,725,252.29 

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and 

Development (BMZ), Germany 376,786.30 376,786.30 

592,778.75 

European Union 1,128,153.00 1,128,153.00 1,063,272.82 

Department for international Development of the 

British Government (DFID) 1,469,734.52 1,469,734.52 

959,822.44 

GIZ/BMZ for development education 47,664.70 47,664.70 21,101.20 

Lotto Hessen 500.00 500.00 0.00 

City of Weener 0.00 0.00 500.00 

City of Wetzlar 143.00 143.00 100.00 

„weltwärts programme of the BMZ 57,281.96 57,281.96 87,677.08 

Grants from church bodies 49,600.00 1.3 46,050.00 

Action Committee Service for Peace 3,100.00 3,100.00 5,800.00 

Bread for the World 23,000.00 23,000.00 20,250.00 

Parish of Braunfels 500.00 500.00 500.00 

Katholischer Fonds Eine Welt 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00 

Misereor 21,000.00 21,000.00 19,500.00 

Grants from private organisations 115,403.35 3.0 123,360.88 

Antonia Ruut Foundation, Trier 18,000.00 18,000.00 25,000.00 

AK 5% Duesseldorf 7,500.00 7,500.00 6,646.00 

Alternaid Foundation, Linden 0.00 0.00 18,000.00 

Amnesty International, Berlin 0.00 0.00 3,241.00 

AWO International, Berlin 9,600.00 9,600.00 0.00 

Ensinger Foundation, Nufringen 2,300.00 2,300.00 1,140.00 

Entwicklungshilfeklub, Vienna 65,297.95 65,297.95 59,819.83 

Heinrich Böll Foundation, Berlin 0.00 0.00 3,714.05 

Kinder in die Mitte, Houverath 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00 

Oberle Foundation, Staufen 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 

Rotary Club Hochschwarzwald 5,705.40 5,705.40 200.00 

Umverteilen Foundation, Berlin 5,000.00 5,000.00 0.00 

Umwelt u. Entwicklung Foundation, North Rhine-Westphalia 0.00 0.00 600.00 

Participation fees for conferences, dialogue and exchange programme 7,281.90 0.19 7,281.90 10,319.49 

Sales of NETZ magazine and media (financial business operations) 3,803.30 0.10 3,803.30 5,407.36 

Fees for media work 224.40 0.01 224.40 155.19 

Interest income 855.46 0.02 855.46 482.58 

Fines donated to NETZ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Total income 3,818,036.10 100.0 3,585,589.52 232,446.58 3,396,981.82 

in € 

The internal voluntary auditors, 

elected at the Annual General Meeting, 

Mr. Dennis Hänsel and Dr. Heiko 

Herold audited the accounts and current 

financial accounting of NETZ on 

14.04.2012. They confirmed that the 

expenditures are based on the principle 

of profitability and fulfil statutory 

requirements. Their report was presented 

at the Annual General Meeting 

on 12.05.2012. The Executive Committee 

was discharged accordingly.

Expenditure 2011 Financial Year 2011 2010 

January 1st, 2011 – December 31st, 2011 in € in % in € 

A. Development cooperation with Bangladesh 3,401,316.51 89.4 2,997,702.09 

Financial contributions to development projects 3,149,245.79 82.8 2,786,464.88 

Sustainable livelihoods 2,871,369.40 75.5 2,370,440.56 

Primary education 277,876.39 7.3 291,716.63 

Human rights 0.00 0.0 123,100.11 

Disaster preparedness 0.00 0.0 1,207.58 

Project steering, quality and finance management 

Networking and dialogue for combating poverty and 

protecting human rights, labour and social standards for 

169,380.71 4.5 90,938.77 

strengthening the Bangladeshi civil society 82,690.01 2.2 120,298.44 

B. Global learning and international understanding 224,800.43 5.9 192,741.78 

Voluntary service in Bangladesh and dialogue & exchange programme 121,551.36 3.2 104,454.82 

Development education in Germany 60,053.19 1.6 42,449.91 

NETZ magazine 24,480.23 0.6 29,246.69 

Bangladesh-related public relations and media work in Germany 18,715.65 0.5 16,590.36 

C. Donations, administration (for the purpose of development cooperation 

and intenational understanding) and governance costs 179,491.40 4.7 200,322.98 

Donations, administration and governance costs 

Fundraising 102,967.73 

2.7 

110,555.87 

Administration and governance 76,523.67 2.0 89,767.11 

75.5 % 

Sustainable 

livelihoods 

7.3 % 

4.5 % 

2.2 % 

According to the constitution of NETZ, 

the above expenditure statement distinguishes 

the use of funds for (A) 

development cooperation with Bangladesh 

and (B) global learning and international 

understanding. The expenditures 

for (C) donations, administration 

and governance costs serve both statutory 

purposes. Staff and operating 

expenses are integrated into the respective 

work area according to the money 

and time required. 

89% of the expenditures in 2011 were 

utilised for development cooperation 


Project steering, quality 

and nance management 

Networking and dialogue 

0.0 % Human rights 

0.0 % Disaster preparedness 

Total expenditure 3,805,608.34 100.0 3,390,766.85 

Accumulated net profit / loss 12,427.76 6,214.97 

Combined 3,818,036.10 3,396,981.82 

with Bangladesh. €3.14 million (83% 

of total expenditures) were transferred 

directly to Bangladesh for projects. 

This constitutes an increase of 

€363,000 compared to 2010. 

Financial statement 2011 

The annual financial statement of 

NETZ was prepared in accordance 

with the regulations of the German 

Commercial Code and the guidelines 

of the German Central Institute 

for Social Issues (DZI) as well 

as the VENRO Code of Conduct for 

9 

3.2 % 

1.6 % 

2.7 % 

2.0 % 

Voluntary service, dialogue 

& exchange programme 

Development education in Germany 

0.6 % NETZ magazine 

0.5% Public relations in Germany 

Fundraising 

Administration and governance 

Transparency, Organisational Governance 

and Supervision. 

The chartered accountant Kurt Wenzel 

attested following his audit on 

26.04.2012 that the accounting, income 

and expenditure reports and balance 

sheet fulfil the principles of proper 

financial reporting and statutory 

requirements. The chartered accountants 

Hoda Vasi Chowdhury have 

audited the financial statement of the 

Country Office in Dhaka for 2011 and 

certified proper financial accounting. 



Balance Sheet 

ASSETS 

Financial 

Year 2011 2010 

Tangible assets 3,214.60 3,097.75 

Office equipment 1,112.02 2,075.17 

Rent deposit 2,102.58 1,022.58 

Current assets 194,487.50 172,291.59 

Cash at bank and in hand 191,731.30 172,037.64 

Trade accounts receivable and other assets 2,756.20 253.95 

Total assets 197,702.10 175,389.34 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS‘ EQUITY 

Shareholders‘ equity as of December 31st, 2011 129,571.31 123,356.34 

Surplus in 2011 12,427.76 6,214.97 

Shareholders‘ equity as of December 31st, 2011 141,999.07 129,571.31 

Free Reserves 44,271.02 30,001.79 

Designated fund (fixed assets) 

Designated fund for development 

3,214.60 3,097.75 

projects in Bangladesh 94,513.45 96,471.77 

General reserves 

Other liabilities from taxes and social 

51,878.00 30,375.00 

security contributions 3,825.03 15,443.03 

3,825.03 5,188.03 

Total liabilities and shareholders‘ equity 197,702.10 175,389.34 

Balance sheet information 

The operating cash reserve to cover 

current operating expenditure was 

raised to €51,878. This corresponds 

to the average operating costs for 1.5 

months. At the end of the year there 

were short-term liabilities of €3,825 

for income tax and social security 

contributions. The liquid funds 

amounted to €191,731 at the end of 

the year. The balance of €94,513 was 

earmarked for transfer to ongoing 

projects in Bangladesh. The amount 

of the remaining liquidity corresponded 

to the operating expenditure 

of the Head Office in Germany 

for 2.5 months. 

Fiscal aspects 

Due to its promotion of development 

aid, NETZ is recognised as a charitable 

and non-profit organisation 

and exempt from corporation tax for 

the years 2008, 2009, 2010, according 

to §5, Sect. 1, No. 9 of the German 

Corporation Income Tax Law and 

as certified by the latest notice from 

the tax authorities in Wetzlar (tax 

in EURO as of December 31st, 2011 

identification number: 39 250 5182 5 

- P/K 1) from 06.09.2011. 

Dialogue with supporters 

„Does my donation really reach the 

poorest people in Bangladesh?“ 

People supporting NETZ by donations 

or voluntary work want to 

make an effective contribution to 

sustainably overcoming poverty. 

Therefore NETZ staff is committed 

to clear principles. They have a 

dual responsibility: on the one hand 

towards individual funders and 

institutions providing grants, and 

on the other hand towards the disadvantaged 

people in Bangladesh. 

All financial resources entrusted to 

NETZ are utilised in a cost-effective 

way. NETZ reports truthfully 

and transparently about its work in 

Bangladesh and is constantly monitoring 

its work standards at the 

Head Office, the Country Office in 

Dhaka and in the projects. For more 

than 30 years, it has been personal 

encounters that make the partnership 

with Bangladesh such a rich 

10 

and vibrant one. Therefore NETZ 

focuses on the exchange of information 

and experiences, at events, in 

telephone conversations with individuals, 

and in written reports from 

Bangladesh. People interested in 

our work receive four circulars per 

year in which we give an update on 

our activities and ask for their support. 

Groups committed to a specific 

project get regular information 

in an adequate manner and we support 

them in their commitment. In 

our dialogue with supporters, the 

main costs are printing, postage, 

travelling and material. NETZ does 

not run expensive advertising campaigns. 

We do not cooperate with 

fundraisers on a commission basis 

nor do we purchase addresses for 

fundraising purposes. 

Äwww.bangladesch.org/transparenz 

We give account of our objectives, 

strategies and the results of our 

work on the website http://www. 

bangladesch.org/english, in the 

NETZ magazine, our newsletter and 

in this annual report. Through press 

releases we inform the general public 

about our activities and provide 

information on how to contribute to 

our work. NETZ is an active member 

of the Association of German Development 

Non-Governmental Organisations 

(VENRO) and follows the ethical 

standards stipulated in the Code 

of Conduct for Development-Related 

Public Relations. Furthermore, we 

follow the VENRO Code of Conduct 

for Transparency, Organisational 

Governance and Supervision.

Turning one into six 

Each Euro donated to NETZ means that almost €6 reach 

people in Bangladesh and help them lead a life in dignity. 

The NETZ team seeks and needs donor grants for project 

funding, however, these grants are only given on the basis 

that many people support our cause. Every donation has a 

multiplier effect and increases the amount of grant money 

we can apply for. Thus almost sixfold the amount originally 

donated goes to Bangladesh. Our administrative costs 

are kept to a minimum. 

Organisational Structure 

NETZ is a registered charity association (“e. V.”, registration 

number VR 1790 at the local court in Wetzlar). The 

Annual General Meeting is the governing body. It decides 

the policies of NETZ and amendments to the articles of 

association, elects and discharges the voluntarily working 

Executive Committee, it also elects the voluntary 

auditors, who are not member to the Executive Committee, 

determines the independent auditor and approves the 

annual financial statement of the Executive Committee. 

The Executive Committee is elected for a period of two 

years. 

At the Annual General Meeting in May 2010, the following 

Executive Committee members were elected: Manfred 

Krüger (Chairperson), Krefeld; Dr. Kathrin Quellmalz (Deputy 

Chairperson), Leipzig; Patrizia Heidegger, Munich; Dr. Dieter 

Klein, Kirchheim unter Teck; Nicola Löffler, Cologne; Max 

Stille, Heidelberg. The Executive Committee agrees on the 

strategy of NETZ, decides on the funding of projects and 

appoints the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is 

Annual General Meeting NETZ e.V. 

Germany 

Development cooperation with 

Bangladesh 

Global learning and 

international understanding 

Donations, administration 

governance costs 

elects for 2 years 

Executive Committee 

appoints and controls 

Board of Directors 

manages day-to-day work in 

Bangladesh 

Development cooperation 

with Bangladesh 



Human rights 

Disaster preparedness 

Global learning and 

international understanding 

11 

responsible for the day-to-day business of the organisation 

in accordance with the constitution, the decisions of 

the Executive Committee and the Annual General Meeting. 

Paid employees work at the Head Office in Germany 

(14 persons; as of June 2012) and in the Country Office in 

Bangladesh (32 persons). 

Quality management 

Effective development work means that the aid reaches 

the poor. Only if they are able to help themselves, development 

has an impact and is sustainable. The NETZ team 

in Bangladesh and Germany ensures that the poorest 

families 

1 receive support, 

2 participate in training sessions, and 

3 are able to defend their rights. 

Salary structure in Germany 

The gross monthly salary is oriented on a salary agreement 

that includes a basic renumeration of €2,000 (2011). 

There are different salary levels reflecting employees’ level 

of responsibility, professional experience, required skills 

and the duration of employment. In addition, an allowance 

of €110 is paid for each dependent child. 

Real gross monthly salary according to salary group 

Group in Germany from € to € 

Board of Directors 2,280.00 (80%) 3,070.00 (100%) 

Programme Officers 1,650.00 (75%) 2,750.00 (100%) 

As of December 2011 

NETZ builds on a tremendous voluntary commitment: 

By people doing their voluntary service in Bangladesh, 

the Executive Committee working on a voluntary 

basis, and above all, the many voluntary supporters 

all over Germany. NETZ staff also commit their time 

beyond normal working hours. All this makes it possible 

for NETZ to work economically and efficiently, which 

directly benefits the people in Bangladesh. Allowances are 

solely paid to voluntary multipliers running development 

education events. In 2011, this summed up to €1,539.25 for 

100 events. 

NETZ is a member of: 

1 Association of German Development Non-Governmental 

Organisations (VENRO) 

2 Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) 

3 Bangladesh-Forum Germany 

4 Action Committee Service for Peace (AGDF) 

5 Hesse Development Policy Network (EPN Hessen) 



Together with you we work for greater justice. 

Responsible for quality and financial 

management, strengthening of the civil 

society, voluntary service and exchange 

programmes: the employees at the NETZ 

Country Office in Bangladesh – 32 working 

full time. 

Front from left: Munzurul Karim (Programme 

Manager, livelihood), Md. Moniruzzaman 

(Programme Manager, livelihood), 

Satyajit Saha (Finance Manager), Shohidul 

Islam Metoo (Finance Officer), Sk. Zakir 

Hossain (Programme Officer, research), 

Mashiur Rahman (Finance and Administrative 

Officer), Md. Shahjahan Hossain, 

(Programme Manager, MIS), Md. Sultan 

Please feel free to send us your 

ideas or ask questions. We are 

looking forward to hearing 

from you! 

Your contact persons in the Head Office 

are: 9 working full time, 5 part time 

From left: Teresa Schwehm (education, 

human rights), Steffi Halfmann (livelihood), 

Ingo Ritz (Executive Director, advocacy), 

Diana Hoffmann (Head of Administration, 

fundraising), Anna Bucur (development 

education, fundraising), Peter Dietzel (Deputy 

Executive Director, public relations), 

Vanessa Trzewik (intern fundraising), 

Mahmud (Driver), Md. Pasidul Haque (Office 

Assistant), Md. Zamal Uddin (Programme 

Manager, PM&E) 

Back from left: Manjusree Mitra (Programme 

Manager, education), Md. Nuruzzaman 

Khan (Programme Manager, PM&E), 

Md. Abul Akram (Finance Officer), Md. 

Ramiz Uddin (Programme Manager, PM&E), 

Sadequl Islam (Deputy Director), Riasat 

Karim (Programme Officer, education), Md. 

Abdullah-Al-Maamun (Programme Manager, 

livelihood), Md. Manzoor-E-Alam Fatick 

(Accounts Officer), Mohammed Anowar 

Hossain (Finance Manager), Md. Keramot Ali 

(Programme Manager, education), Suman 

Tatjana Filinski (accounting, donation receipts), 

Agata Gornicki (voluntary service, dialogue and 

exchange), Bärbel Martin (office administration), 

Niko Richter (education, human rights). 

NETZ Partnership for 

Development and Justice 

Moritz-Hensoldt-Str. 20 

D-35576 Wetzlar 

Phone: +49 (0) 64 41/2 65 85 

Fax: +49 (0) 64 41/2 62 57 

Paul (Finance Manager), Md. Shahidul 

Islam (Senior Programme Manager), Dipta 

Chakma (Programme Manager, research, 

documentation and dissemination), 

Habibur Rahman Chowdhury (Country 

Director), Razia Sultana (Office Assistant), 

Md. Moniruzzaman (Programme Officer, 

enumerator), Md. Shamsul Huda (Programme 

Officer, training), Dr. Nazmun Nahar 

Nur (Programme Manager, livelihood), 

Md. Zobaidur Rahman (Office Assistant), 

Nilufar Sultana (Programme Manager, 

livelihood), Farjina Malek (Programme 

Officer), Sharmin Islam (Programme Officer, 

voluntary service, dialogue and exchange). 

Not on the photo: Philipp Kappestein (livelihood), 

Kai Fritze (sustainable livelihood), 

Dirk Saam (advocacy; Berlin office). 

netz@bangladesch.org 

www.bangladesch.org 

Imprint 

Conception/text: Niko Richter, Peter Dietzel 

Layout: studiofuergestaltung.net 

Photo: Moritz Goldbeck Photo: Sven Wagner

Together for Bangladesh - NETZ eV Partnerschaft für Entwicklung ...

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