Assessing Start Fund Bangladesh’s Impact: Advancing Localisation and Strengthening Humanitarian Responses

Key Aid Consulting conducted an evaluation of Start Fund Bangladesh (SFB) to assess its impact in advancing localisation and strengthening humanitarian responses across Bangladesh. The evaluation examined the effectiveness of SFB-funded interventions in supporting crisis-affected communities, the role of the fund in strengthening local leadership and organisational capacity, and its contribution to the broader humanitarian response system.

Using a mixed-methods approach including desk review, 35 key informant interviews, an online survey of member organisations, 20 focus group discussions with 222 community members across multiple hazard-affected locations, and social network analysis; the study assessed SFB’s performance between 2022 and 2025. The analysis focused on response effectiveness, localisation outcomes, coordination dynamics, and the mechanisms through which SFB enables rapid, locally led humanitarian action.

In line with the findings, the report provided evidence and recommendations to strengthen decision-making processes, improve inclusion and delivery readiness, expand organisational strengthening for local actors, and enhance learning and coordination across the humanitarian system.