The non-profit and NGO sector in Bangladesh operates under a detailed regulatory framework involving multiple oversight authorities. LegalBD provides full-lifecycle legal support to local NGOs, international NGOs, charitable foundations, and development sector organisations operating in Bangladesh.
The Regulatory Framework
Non-profit organisations in Bangladesh may be registered under several different frameworks depending on structure and activities: the Societies Registration Act 1860 (membership associations); the Trust Act 1882 (charitable trusts); the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance 1961 (social welfare organisations under the Department of Social Services); the Companies Act 1994 (companies limited by guarantee — preferred for larger, more complex organisations); and the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act 2016 (all organisations receiving foreign funding).
The NGO Affairs Bureau
The NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB), operating under the Prime Minister's Office, is the primary oversight body for NGOs receiving foreign donations in Bangladesh. All organisations — whether local or international — must obtain NGOAB registration and project approval (FD-6 and FD-7 forms) before receiving foreign donations and implementing donor-funded projects. NGOAB also oversees annual reporting obligations and periodic compliance audits.
International NGOs
International Non-Governmental Organisations wishing to operate in Bangladesh must obtain registration with NGOAB under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act 2016, and must comply with its detailed requirements on project approval, fund utilisation, reporting, and audit. The Act imposes significant penalties for non-compliance, including cancellation of registration and criminal liability for office-bearers.
Our Services
LegalBD advises on initial registration under the appropriate legal framework, NGOAB registration and project approval, foreign donation compliance, annual reporting obligations, governance frameworks and board constitutions, and regulatory engagement with NGOAB, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Finance, and other authorities.