The inaugural ‘Nexus Fest 2025’ is set to take place in five of the country's most climate-vulnerable districts: Chattogram, Barguna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar.
ActionAid Bangladesh has organised this unique festival with the goal of fostering an inclusive and sustainable society by bringing together humanitarian response, climate action, development, and peacebuilding. The festival's highlights include participatory and innovative activities such as arts and stunning innovative project exhibitions, vibrant cultural performances, and community engagement, with the involvement of local youth, civil society representatives, and government officials.
Communities in these regions face multiple, interlinked challenges—from climate change and humanitarian crises to social tensions and barriers to development. By centring young people, the festival seeks to find integrated solutions to these complex problems. The co-organisers of the festival are Nazrul Smriti Sangsad (Patharghata of Barguna), Coastal Development Organization for Women (Satkhira), Bright Bangladesh Forum (Chattogram), and the Society for Health Extension and Development (Teknaf).
The festival will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, 26 August, and run until 31 August. The first phase will be held on 26-27 August at the Shilpakala Academy in Chattogram and the Bidyaniketan field in Patharghata, Barguna. It will then proceed to the Shilpakala Academy in Satkhira and the Bagerhat Zila Parishad grounds on 27-28 August, before concluding at Sabrang High School in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, on 30-31 August. The event aims to raise awareness about climate change and sustainable development at the local level and empower local communities to become the key agents of change.
Md. Jabin Bin Solaiman, a community member and student from Chattogram district, said: “We are delighted to have a platform like Nexus Fest. It gives young people like us the opportunity to speak, to share solutions and to contribute directly to the development of our communities.”
Commenting on the festival's goals, Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, stated, “Nexus Fest aims to enhance community resilience in the face of climate change vulnerabilities. It integrates the needs of humanitarian and climate action, encourages developmental initiatives, and fosters peacebuilding. we believe it will create a powerful platform for all stakeholders, including the government, to listen, take action, and drive engagement.”
Nazmul Ahsan, Lead of Youth and Just Society at ActionAid Bangladesh, added, "ActionAid Bangladesh empowers young people to lead comprehensive community development.
In today's world, climate change cannot be addressed in isolation — it must be tackled holistically, alongside the realisation of the rights of marginalised communities and the pursuit of peace and social cohesion. Nexus Fest is a platform to amplify youth leadership, connect communities, and engage all stakeholders to ignite meaningful, lasting change."
The festival will feature various arts and project exhibitions where youth organisations, local government bodies, and partner institutions will showcase their real-world experiences and innovative solutions. Young people will use research, storytelling, debates, and policy dialogues to highlight important local issues for social development. In addition, traditional performances like Jari Gaan, Gambhira, Jatra Pala, and theatre will creatively express local culture and voices. To ensure participation from all sections of society, the festival will feature a girls' cycling rally and a father-daughter football match. Rallies, folk music, sports, and creative campaigns will also be held to increase community engagement and help maintain social cohesion and harmony.
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