A standout initiative is Friendship’s Mangrove Afforestation Project. These ecosystems are one of the most powerful natural defences, and Friendship’s afforestation model is both proven and scalable. Thus far over 650,000 mangrove trees were planted across more than 200 hectares, along with 62 kilometres of embankments.
These mangrove forests safeguard more than 125,000 people from cyclones and storm surges while supporting livelihoods for nearly 3,000 households through community-managed ecosystems. The project also strengthens the blue carbon ecosystem, acting as a major carbon sink and contributing to a sustainable blue economy. By 2030, Friendship expects to scale it up to 1,500 hectares, in alignment with Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan (2023–2050) and Forestry Master Plan (2017–2036).
Friendship has previously won the Royal Institute of British Architects Award in 2021 for the climate-resilient design of Friendship Hospital Shyamnagar and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016 for the innovative environment-friendly design of Friendship Centre in Gaibandha.