About Us

Who We Are

Integrated Development Foundation (IDF) is a non-profit, non-government organization established in December 1992 by Mr. Zahirul Alam, a former ILO staff member and founder member-secretary of the Rural Economics Program of the Economics Department at the University of Chittagong from where Grameen Bank Microfinance Model was developed by Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus in the 1970s.

The main objective of IDF is to enhance the quality of life of the landless poor, marginal farmers and disadvantaged people in terms of capital, education, financial literacy, health, nutrition, sanitation, safe water, housing and the environment through building effective institutions of their own, which they can understand and operate and can find socio-economic strength in it through mutual support.

IDF was established to work for the poor and disadvantaged people of remote, difficult, hilly and un-served areas of Bangladesh. IDF finds out un-served areas and un-served population so that poor and un-served families are not excluded from financial services. IDF designs financial and social products in such way that a sustainable development could be brought in the life of poor people. The financial products are credit for, income-generating activities, short and long term savings. It also provides micro insurance for life, health, income-generating activities and other products like disaster management supports, technology transfer, value chains development, solar home system for power, solar mini-grid etc..

IDF started its journey with the experiment of Grameen model for the poor in Shoalok Mouza of Bandarban Hill District in 1993 with a seed capital of US$7,500.00(loan) from Grameen Trust. Following the success of the above pilot project, Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida) came forward to support IDF for the expansion of Grameen model in all districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts in the framework of a long-term (8 years) sustainable plan. The success of IDF in the subsequent years attracted other partners including Government, PKSF, ILO, Helen Keller International (HKI), UNICEF, CARE Bangladesh, AusAID, IDCOL, Grameen Foundation USA, Deutsche Bank, CowBank (Australia), Basic Bank Ltd., Sonali Bank Ltd., Bangladesh Krishi Bank, BRAC Bank Ltd., Bank Asia Ltd., Prime Bank Ltd., One Bank Ltd., Mercantile Bank Ltd., Eastern Bank Ltd., EXIM Bank Ltd. and others.

The total number of families at present covered by IDF is about 150,000 families from various tribes. Chittagong Hill Tracts have alone 13 different tribes. All the members of these families have access to all products and services of IDF. About 99.98% of IDF clients are female between age 18-60 years. All members of IDF receives training on financial literacy.

IDF has gradually emerged as a model of sustainable development for the poor of remote, hilly and difficult areas of any part of the world. IDF won the Global “Pioneer Award” from Grameen Foundation USA in 2004. Forbes Magazine (USA) rated IDF as one of the best 50 MFIs of the world in 2007. IDF won City Award 2015 as “ the Best Microfinance Institution of the Year” in Bangladesh in 2015.