About us

Leather Development Forum (LDF)

The Leather Development Forum (LDF) is a collaborative platform bringing together key stakeholders in the leather sector. Its primary aim is to foster and enhance cooperation and coordination among these stakeholders, particularly private sector actors, business associations, trade unions, NGOs, CSOs, and bilateral and multilateral partners of the government. By doing so, the LDF seeks to create impactful synergies, prevent duplication of efforts, conduct research and analytical work, and advocate for and leverage networks and linkages.

est.

2018

Established

20

+

Membership organizations

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Organization Background

In 2018
the Foundation began implementing the Promoting Decent Work and Acceptable Working Conditions in the Tannery Sector in Bangladesh project
In 2019
the Foundation first spoke to GIZ Bangladesh about forming a common platform
In 2020
The first draft of the TOR was developed with GIZ but the pandemic limited much progress to be made
Late 2021-2022
the Foundation started consulting with multiple industry stakeholders to develop and finalize the TOR and the forum launched

Scope oF WORKS

The Leather Development Forum (LDF) aims to foster collaboration and coordination among diverse stakeholders, including private sector entities, business associations, NGOs, and government partners. Its primary functions include enhancing synergies, reducing duplicative efforts, conducting research, and advocating for policy reforms that support pro-poor and pro-women economic growth. The LDF complements the government’s leather task force by providing technical and research support, and serves as a vital hub for multilateral and bilateral organizations to understand and engage with the leather industry. Additionally, the Ministry of Industry (MoI) plays a key advisory role, ensuring alignment with government initiatives and facilitating effective industry development.

1

Research and analytical work

2

Advocacy

3

Leveraging potential linkages

Research and Analytical Work

  • Share internal knowledge and information to avoid duplication of development interventions and ensure collaborative initiatives among members.
  • Collect and analyze information related to leather sector development initiatives and market availability to determine its relevance to other stakeholders.
  • Synchronize research activities among LDF stakeholders to avoid duplication and encourage joint projects.
  • Conduct research on topics of interest to stakeholders, including:
    • The impact of non-compliance on the leather industry’s growth.
    • Value chain analysis of the leather sector.
    • Technologies for improved leather processing quality.
    • Business model analysis of LWG-certified factories in Bangladesh/India.
    • Opportunities and markets for small and medium-sized tanneries.
    • Effectiveness of central versus personal Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs).
    • Financial cost-benefit analysis of water-saving interventions.
    • Mapping post-LDC export incentives to motivate leather exporters.

Advocacy

  • Disseminate information about leather industry initiatives to LDF members.
  • Advise stakeholders on potential collaboration and coordination in project interventions.
  • Collaborate with and support the government leather task force and PMO, offering development recommendations for the country’s leather sector.

Leveraging Potential Linkages

  • Disseminate information about leather industry initiatives to LDF members.
  • Advise stakeholders on potential collaboration and coordination in project interventions.
  • Collaborate with and support the government leather task force and PMO, offering development recommendations for the country’s leather sector.