Stockholm, Sweden
€9 million pledged to support country’s garment workers.
The H&M Foundation has announced a €9 million commitment over the next three years to advance a just climate transition in Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector. The funding will support the second phase of Oporajita, a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on decarbonisation, climate resilience, and worker-centred policy in one of the world’s most critical manufacturing regions.
Launched in 2022, Oporajita aims to empower women garment workers as the industry adapts to climate and technological shifts. The initiative has already equipped over 1400 women for circular economy roles, achieved a 60% job placement rate, and trained thousands more in leadership and entrepreneurship. Nearly 500 new jobs were created, and 20 startups backed for their innovative contributions to sustainability and women’s employability.
Running from 2025 to 2027, phase two will intensify efforts to integrate social equity with environmental goals. Plans include developing climate adaptation tools for factories, advocating for worker-inclusive decarbonisation policies, supporting low-emission innovation, and improving conditions through water, sanitation, childcare and anti-violence measures.
“Through Oporajita, we’re not only responding to automation and climate risk, we’re redefining who gets to lead the response,” said Charlotte Brunnström, Programme Director at the H&M Foundation. “Women workers are often portrayed as vulnerable, but they are also solution-drivers. This phase is about giving them a seat at the table as the industry designs its net-zero future.”
Guided by findings from the Just Climate Transitions in Bangladesh report, Oporajita offers a model for aligning climate action with social protections in global supply chains. The report was developed by consultancy FSG and supported by both the H&M Foundation and Laudes Foundation.
Implementing partners for phase two include Build Bangladesh, CARE Bangladesh, Center for Communication Action Bangladesh, LightCastle Partners, Save the Children Bangladesh, Swisscontact and WaterAid Bangladesh, with additional partners expected to join.
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