The role of micro-credit or financial inclusion in poverty alleviation is well recognized throughout the world.Bangladesh is the place where the seedbed of micro-credit was prepared, experimented and flourished with the recognized system to serve the people. The Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), the apex level institute in Bangladesh, undertakes research, training and consultancy on various aspects of rural development. It also introduced micro-credit in the early sixties. In order to share rich experiences of micro-credit of Bangladesh, AARDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Government of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development to organize regional workshop-cum-training programme at BARD. Under the MoU, 20 nominees annually will participate. As regards the financial liability, AARDO will bear expenses on international air travel whereas BARD and AARDO will jointly meet expenses on local hospitality including boarding, lodging transportation, study materials and study visits, etc. Target Participants: Holding Bachelors Degree and working in the relevant field.
Objectives:
- Discuss the relationship between sustainable development goals (SDGs) and rural transformation;
- Describe the effects of financial exclusion and the benefits of financial inclusion;
- Identify suitable methods for financial inclusion of the rural people, especially for the excluded population in the country
- Describe importance and process of the financial inclusion system for attaining SDGs'
- Design new financial products or services by addressing economic, cultural and structural problems; and
- Identify ways to mobilize adequate funds and develop mechanism for inclusion of poor in financial system.
The Rural Development Academy (RDA), established in 1974, and located in Bogra, Bangladesh, is a specialized national rural development institution for training, research and action research. The Academy is an autonomous institution officiated with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Co-operatives, Government of Bangladesh. It provides training aimed at creation of skilled and efficient manpower in the field of rural development. The broad areas of training include climate change adaptation & mitigation, institution building, agricultural development including fisheries, horticulture, livestock and poultry development, crop production, soil management, women in development, etc. The Academy is mainly undertaking research on farming, horticulture, floriculture, tissue culture, livestock, poultry, etc. 
The Mulungushi University, located in Kabwe, Zambia is a leading institution of higher learning in Zambia. Its mission is to provide high quality education and generate knowledge and technological innovations relevant to national and regional development goals. It offers a wide range of degree, diploma and certificate programmes. The main objective of the University is to contribute to the attainment of sustainable growth and development in all fields of economic activity. 
AHK-NCRDis a federal training and research institution. The Centre, an autonomous apex institution focuses on human resource development and organizes workshops/seminars, training programmes besides conducting action research. AARDO felt that some of the activities of the Centre are very relevant for its member countries. Therefore, it signed a Mutual Collaboration & Assistance Agreement (MCAA) with AHK-NCRD for (a) organization of international/regional training programmes, (b) organization of international/regional workshops and seminars, (c) conducting studies in member countries, and (d) deputation of experts. The esteemed Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with AARDO, is annually organising an international workshop-cum-training programme on "Irrigation System and Water Management" at AHK NCRD since 2012. As per the arrangement, while AARDO meets cost of international air travel of its sponsored candidates, AHK NCRD bears expenses on their board & lodging, study visits, tuition fees, course materials, etc. Number of available slots are Twenty (20).