Featured awards
-
BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed honoured with the Independence Award
Shameran Abed accepts Bangladesh's highest civilian honor on BRAC founder's behalf
This award reminds us that the dream he envisioned—of a just, equitable, and prosperous Bangladesh—is our responsibility to fulfill. May his work and achievements continue to inspire us. -Shameran Abed, Executive Director, BRAC International
-
Remembering Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
Friends and supporters of Abed bhai, as he was lovingly called, share tributes to his life.
Abed was one of the foremost leaders of thought as well as action of our time… An astonishing combination of clear-headed thinking and sure-footed execution made Abed the great leader that he was. We have had very few like him in the history of the world. -Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics
-
Yidan Prize 2019: Sir Fazle wins the largest international prize for educationFeatured
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed was honored for his work to promote quality education, and particularly early childhood education, for all.
I hope the world’s leaders will realise the potential of this play-based education model to develop more socially and emotionally intelligent individuals who are able to live happier, conflict-free lives. -Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, BRAC Founder
-
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed awarded the 2018 Lego Prize
Sir Fazle was honored for his extraordinary contributions to improving children's lives and their opportunities to play, learn, and develop.
It is an honor to receive the esteemed LEGO Prize. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow and develop. This generous financial contribution will support the holistic development of an underserved group of children in Bangladesh with special needs. -Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, BRAC Founder
Global recognition for BRAC’s impact
Over the decades, BRAC has earned international recognition for championing women’s empowerment and creating sustainable, people‑centered solutions to inequality. These awards celebrate both our organizational excellence and the courage and resilience of the communities who continue to inspire lasting change.
| Year | 1980 | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Independence Award | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2019 | Yidan Prize | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2019 | Dutch Royal Knighthood | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2018 | AGA Khan Diamond Jubilee | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2018 | AGFUND International Prize for Pioneering Human Development Projects (First Category) | BRAC |
| 2018 | OFID Annual Award for Development | BRAC |
| 2018 | LEGO Prize | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2017 | Laudato Si' Award (Institution Category) | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2017 | Knight Commander of the Liberian Humane Order of African Redemption | BRAC |
| 2017 | Jose Edgardo Campos Collaborative Leadership Award 2016 (South Asian Region) | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2016 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education, University of Bradford | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2016 | Thomas Francis, Jr. Medal in Global Public Health | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2015 | The World Food Prize | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2015 | World Toilet Organization Hall of Fame Award | BRAC |
| 2014 | Global Justice Innovation Award | BRAC |
| 2014 | Trust Women Hero Award | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2014 | Spanish Order of Civil Merit | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2014 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Law, The University of The South | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2014 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, Princeton University | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2014 | Leo Tolstoy International Gold Medal | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2013 | GlaxoSmithKline and Save the Children Healthcare Innovation Award | BRAC |
| 2013 | World Justice Project Rule of Law Award | BRAC |
| 2013 | Central European University Open Society Prize | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2012 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, The University of Manchester | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2011 | Inaugural WISE Prize for Education | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2010 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, University of Bath | Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG |
| 2009 | Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2009 | Entrepreneur for the World Award (in Social Entrepreneur category) | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2009 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, University of Oxford | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2009 | Honorary Degree of Doctor in Humane Letters, Rikkyo University | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2009 | SAFA Best Presented Accounts and Corporate Governance Disclosures Award | BRAC |
| 2009 | ICAB National Award for Best Published Accounts and Reports | BRAC |
| 2008 | Conrad N Hilton Humanitarian Prize | BRAC |
| 2008 | David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2008 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, Columbia University | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2008 | SAFA Best Presented Accounts Award | BRAC |
| 2008 | ICAB National Award for Best Published Accounts and Reports | BRAC |
| 2007 | Bangladesh Swadhinota Puroshkar (Independence Award) | BRAC |
| 2007 | Inaugural Clinton Global Citizen Award | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2007 | Stop TB Partnership Kochon Prize | BRAC |
| 2007 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Yale University | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2007 | Henry R Kravis Prize in Leadership | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2007 | Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF) Lifetime Achievement in Social Development and Poverty Alleviation | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2007 | SAFA Best Presented Accounts Award | BRAC |
| 2007 | ICAB National Award for Best Published Accounts and Reports | BRAC |
| 2006 | CGAP Financial Transparency Award | BRAC |
| 2006 | SAFA Best Presented Accounts Award | BRAC |
| 2006 | ICAB National Award for Best Published Accounts and Reports | BRAC |
| 2004 | UNDP Mahbub ul Haq Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Development | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2004 | Gates Award for Global Health | BRAC / Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2004 | ICAB National Award for Best Published Accounts and Reports | BRAC |
| 2003 | Honorary Degree of Doctor in Education, The University of Manchester | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2003 | Gleitsman Foundation International Activist Award | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 2003 | Recognised as an Outstanding Social Entrepreneur by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship | Fazle Hasan Abed / BRAC |
| 2001 | Olof Palme Prize | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 1998 | InterAction (American Council for Voluntary International Action) Humanitarian Award | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 1994 | Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, Queen's University at Kingston | Fazle Hasan Abed |
| 1992 | UNICEF Maurice Pate Award | BRAC |
| 1990 | Alan Shawn Feinstein World Hunger Award | BRAC |
| 1985 | UNESCO Noma Prize for Meritorious Work in Literacy (Honourable Mention) | BRAC |
| 1980 | Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership | Fazle Hasan Abed |
A continuing legacy
Every award BRAC receives is a reminder that tackling poverty, inequality, and exclusion requires bold vision and effective, systems‑changing action at scale. These honors are shared with the millions of people whose courage and determination inspire lasting change—and with our donors, who power this impactful work.
Join a community of donors who invest in award-winning impact.
Power people to rise above poverty
Make a gift to unmake poverty and power potential.
Donation options
Your most generous donation
Your most generous donation
