CODEC was established on 1 February 1985. But it initiated its activities in October 1985 under the approval of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock . CODEC is a registered Non Governmental Development Organization (NGO) having registration No. DSS/FDO/R-263 under the Foreign Donation Ordinance Rule 19789(as amended in 1982) and also holding the Social Welfare registration No. 1160 of 1985.

CODEC has been developed as an NGO basically from the experiences of the Boat Building Project and subsequently Boat Rental Scheme (BRS). The Boat Building Project was initiated in 1980, With assistance of DANIDA( Danish International Development Agency) and under the auspices of BFDC (Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation ), for the purpose of distribution of boats among the poor fisherman . But practices revealed that neither the desired economic development , nor the required social change was achieved out of boat distribution among the targeted fishers. Rather the boats were eventually concentrated into the few hands of the non fishers businessmen. Through Boat Rental Scheme in the year 1984, 23boats were delivered to the poor fishermen. The personnel of BRS perceived that the fishers couldn’t be organized for their developmental activities in absence of initiation of a dynamic and holistic development process. And this realization paved the way to the genesis of CODEC in 1985. CODEC started its development activities in the 7 coastal fishing villages of Selimpur union under Sitakunda upazilla of Chittagong, which lie alongside the shore of the Bay of Bengal. Since then, CODEC has expanded to other places.

Mission of CODEC

To provide assistance for social, political and economic development for the purpose of poverty alleviation of the men, women and children of poor fishing, and other coastal communities of riverine and coastal Bangladesh through their self- reliant village organizations.

Principles of CODEC

CODEC is an NGO of Bangladesh that works mainly among the coastal fisher folk And the principles of its activities are:

	Formulation, implementation and evaluation of required development activities on the basis of equality and partnership.
	Participation of the backward women in the social, political and economic development process of the coastal communities on the basis of equality among the man and women .
	Strengthening of their own institutions and achievement of their self- reliant sustainable development process through growth of leadership among them.
	Ensuring strong role of the Costal communities in the political arena.
	Realizing human rights through right-based activities – particularly through the Policy Advocacy Programme.

Target People and Area Operation.

The target people of CODEC are the landless/asset less people of coastal and riverbank communities who are depended on their own labour for survival. Special attention is being paid to women and children of the communities.

CODEC operates its programme activities in seven districts, namely : Chittagong, Laxmipur , Patuakhali, Barguna, Noakhali, Bagerhat and Ramgamati Hill District. In Ramgamati , CODEC is working with the indigenous hilly people, most of whom are also involved in lake fishery in search of their livelihoods.

On going of CODEC project:

	Socio – Economic Development Of Coastal Communities in Bangladesh : Danida
	Patuakhali Barguna Aquaculture Extension Project (PBAEP)
	Greater Noakhali Aquaculture Extension Project (GNAEP)
	Development Interventions for Advancement of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and its Inhabitants: Danida
	Income generation Activities (IGAs) for the Underprivileged Communities mainly through awareness and Education: Stromme Foundation
	Strengthening Capacity of Local NGOs & community Based Organization: Stromme Foundation /NORAD
	Monitoring jail for Better Treatment of Juveniles : Save The Children (UK)
	Integrated Development Intitiative for Coastal Children and Women: Manusher Jonno
	Nishorgo Support project: Teknaf game Reserve & Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary Development Program: USAID/IRG
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