Esrat Karim Eve

Social Entrepreneur | Founder, AMAL Foundation | Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Building skilled, climate-resilient, and gender-equitable communities across Bangladesh and beyond.

A Life Committed to Social Innovation

Esrat is an award-winning Bangladeshi changemaker who integrates climate resilience, gender justice, and social innovation to drive systemic change. With a global education and deep local roots, she has empowered over 50,000 lives through grassroots action and strategic leadership.

Personal Statement

At 25, I left the promise of America to return to my roots in Bangladesh, driven by a simple but fierce belief: no woman should have to choose between survival and dignity. I am the first girl in my community to go abroad for her Masters. With nothing but my savings and determination, I founded Amal Foundation—starting with just 20 women in a small room. Today, we’ve touched 50,000 lives, but every number has a face: the teenage girl who escaped child marriage through our loan program, the mother who feeds her family with income from our climate-resilient farming coop, the grandmother who saw electricity for the first time in her village. My work has earned me recognition, such as being honored as one of Asia's top 30 under 30 social entrepreneurs by Forbes in 2020.

Experience Details

Spearheaded youth-led organizations, non- profits, social enterprises and climate -resilient projects in underserved communities with compassion and leadership to solve complex social challenges

AMAL Foundation

Role : Executive Director

Timeline : 2014 – Present

Concern

As the Director of AMAL Foundation Bangladesh, I am dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through resources, education, and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. Our organization is committed to catalyzing positive change and fostering social empowerment across Bangladesh.

Countree Agro Ltd.

Role : Co-Founder

Timeline : 2022-Present

Concern

 Countree Agro Ltd., based in Bangladesh, is the first agricultural firm dedicated to sustainable farming practices and quality produce.

I hold the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Countree Agro Ltd., where I play a pivotal role in overseeing operations and ensuring the company’s commitment to excellence in agriculture is upheld.

Amal’s Homemade Pickles

Role : Entrepreneur and Co-Project Lead

Timeline : 2024 – Present

Concern

As the Co-Project Lead of Amal’s Homemade Pickles, I work to transform a simple food venture into a platform for women’s empowerment and financial independence. This initiative provides rural women with training, resources, and market access, enabling them to generate sustainable income while preserving traditional recipes.

Khaas Food Ltd.

Role : Shareholder

Timeline : 2019-Present

Concern

Khaas Food Ltd., based in Bangladesh, is a renowned organization dedicated to promoting organic and locally sourced food products. They are known for their commitment to sustainable agriculture and are recognized for their high-quality products across the region.

I proudly serve as a shareholder of this forward-thinking company, supporting its mission to provide nutritious and eco-friendly food options to consumers while empowering local farmers.

Swedish Institute Alumni Network Bangladesh

Role : Vice Chairperson

Timeline : 2025 – Present

Concern

As Vice Chairperson, I work to strengthen collaboration among alumni, fostering knowledge exchange and joint initiatives on sustainability, leadership, and social innovation in Bangladesh.

Alpha Innovations Ltd.

Role : Shareholder & Board Member

Timeline : 2022-Present

Concern

Alpha Innovations Ltd., located in Bangladesh, is a dynamic technology company at the forefront of innovation, specializing in cutting-edge solutions.

I proudly serve as a shareholder and board member of Alpha Innovations Ltd., contributing to the company’s strategic growth and its mission to revolutionize technology in Bangladesh and beyond.

Nepal Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce

Role : Board Member

Timeline : 2025 – Present

Concern

As Board Member, I work to strengthen trade and development ties between Nepal and Bangladesh. By promoting cross-border partnerships and sustainable business practices, I advance opportunities that create livelihoods and foster inclusive growth, extending my broader mission of community empowerment.

Amal Foundation USA

Role : Board Member

Timeline : 2023 – Present

Concern

As Board Member, I help expand AMAL Foundation’s reach internationally, engaging global networks, donors, and partners. This role strengthens our capacity to address pressing issues like gender justice, climate resilience, and sustainable development in Bangladesh and beyond.

Springdale International School

Role : Trustee

Timeline : 2023 – Present

Concern

As Trustee, I contribute to building an inclusive and forward-looking education system that nurtures young minds to think critically and act responsibly. My role supports the school’s mission to prepare students with both global perspectives and community values, aligning with my commitment to empowering the next generation through education.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Role : Project Associate intern

Timeline : Jan 2014 - Jun 2014

Concern

As Project Associate Intern, I contributed to research and programme initiatives in global health and development. This early experience deepened my understanding of systemic challenges and inspired me to found AMAL Foundation, where I could apply these insights directly to empowering vulnerable communities

Projects & Impact 

Year: 2022

Child Marriage Prevention Loan Project

Jan 2015 - Present

Countree – Empowering farmers through climate smart agriculture

Year: 2023

Establishing Climate-Resilient Communities

ear: 2023

Ucchash School

Year: 2023

Entrepreneurship to grassroots youth through clean energy

Year: 2023

Pickle Project

Year: 2023

Bogura Vocational Training Project

Year: 2023

Bogura Freelance Training Project

Year: 2023

Cooking Project

Year: 2023

Koyra Skill Center

Year: 2023

Developing a Circular Economy by creating Youth Entrepreneurship through plastic waste

Year: 2023

Sustainable Solution for Plastic Pollution

Year: 2023

Sustainable Model Village for Rohingya Refugees

Honors & Awards

Celebrated through awards and acknowledgments that highlight dedication, impact, and leadership in driving change.

Kindness & Leadership Asia Pacific Listee

by Kindness & Leadership 50 Leading Lights Asia Pacific – 2024

Forbes 30 under 30 Asia 2020

Social Entrepreneurship class of 2020

Issued by Acumen Academy, 2020

Swedish Institute Leader Lab Fellow

 Issued by Swedish Institute Sweden – 2021

Spark Accelerator Program

 2016

Jolkona Catalyst

Issued by United State Department, USA – 2015

Watson Scholar

 2014

Social Service Award 2025

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary Club of Dhaka North

TOYP (Ten Outstanding Young Persons) of Bangladesh

by JCI Bangladesh – 2024

A Better Tomorrow CSR Awards

 Young Humanitarian of the Year – 2021

LFB Leadership Excellence Award

2021

Global Youth Leadership Award

2021

Joy Bangla Youth Awards

2021

Stories in the Spotlight

Featured in national and international media, sharing journeys of resilience, innovation, and community empowerment.

Voices on Stage

Engaged audiences worldwide through talks, panels, and keynotes on youth leadership, social innovation, and sustainable futures.

On Air: Podcasts & TV Shows

Shared insights and experiences with diverse audiences through engaging conversations on youth, social enterprise, and empowerment.

SDGs in Action

 Esrat Karim’s Commitment to Climate Resilience, Gender Equality, and Sustainable Communities.

My Story

I am passionate about three things that are deeply connected in Bangladesh: women’s empowerment, gender equality, and climate justice. This isn’t just professional for me – it’s personal. Every day, I see how climate disasters hit women first and worst. The young girls (from 09 to 15 years old) are forced into marriage when floods destroy their family’s crops. The mother walks miles further for water as droughts worsen. The grandmother, who has survived a lifetime of cyclones, now fears for her granddaughter’s future.

What drives me isn’t just anger at these injustices – it’s the fierce hope I see in women fighting back; The mother who turned a small loan into a climate-resilient farm; The young woman who is leading her village’s disaster response team; The girls in our schools who will grow up knowing their worth isn’t measured in dowry payments.

In Bangladesh, climate change is a women’s rights issue. Women are the solution. When we empower them with education, resources, and voice, they don’t just survive – they transform communities. That’s why I fight: because justice for women means resilience for everyone.

Our eight years of grassroots work prove solutions exist:

  • 500 Child Marriage Prevention Loans worth 400,000 USD to combat child marriage in climate-vulnerable areas.
  • Women-led income generating projects to transform victims into entrepreneurs.
  • Schools for climate-vulnerable children and eco-centers turn plastic waste into livelihoods.

But real change requires scaling these innovations globally. I seek sponsorship not for prestige but to forge partnerships that match my community’s courage. This is more than my calling – it’s a promise to my younger self that education and opportunity can bloom into systemic change for all women facing climate injustice.