UNDP Bangladesh, in line with its Country Programme Action Plan (2006-2010) with the Government of Bangladesh is committed to assist in strengthening the Parliament to improve its (i) legislative capacity, (ii) oversight functions and (iii) democratic practices through institutional and operational reforms.

A fifteen months UNDP Preparatory Assistance (PA) programme for Parliament which involved strengthening the capacity of the institution and providing policy advice and technical support concluded on 30 June 2010. Following extensive consultation and planning during the PA and with the approval of the Parliament and the government the ‘Improving Democracy through Parliamentary Development’ (IPD) project 2010 to 2014 commenced on 1 July 2010. The project has four components that contribute to the project outcome: the Parliament of Bangladesh effectively fulfills its role as a legislative, representative, and oversight body according to the Constitution of Bangladesh. Under component 2, the project aims to achieve “parliamentary committees are able to effectively scrutinize executive action, review public policy and the expenditure of public funds and take Parliament to the people”. In this context the project intends to enhance the availability of high quality research, analysis and information services to the Members and Committees supporting objective and evidence-based decision making.