After 25 years working in developing countries, Paul Polak provides a unique, practical and entrepreneurial blueprint to enable and empower the rural poor to lift themselves out of poverty. His innovative and curious mind and his courage in challenging conventional thinking offer proven solutions which unleash the capacity of the poor to create income—giving them a hand up, not a handout.
— PHILIP R. BERBER, CHAIRMAN, A GLIMMER OF HOPE FOUNDATION
Resources for Change
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D-Rev: Design for the Other 90%At D-Rev, the mission is to create a design revolution by enlisting the best designers in the world to develop products and ideas that will benefit the 90% of the people on Earth who are poor, in order to help them earn their way out of poverty. International Development Enterprises (IDE)IDE’s mission is to help the world’s poorest citizens through formal and informal relationships with governments, private enterprises, NGOs, inventors and others. IDE recognizes that the best way to have sustainable, truly effective projects is by collaborating with like-minded organizations to leverage strengths. Asian Vegetable Research & Development CenterAsian Vegetable Research & Development Center’s alleviates poverty and malnutrition in the developing world through the increased production and consumption of safe vegetables. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC)The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) under the Ministry of Agriculture is at the apex of the national agricultural research system (NARS), with responsibility for strengthening the national agricultural research capability through planning and integration of resources. It is the umbrella under which the entire Bangladesh agricultural research effort is coordinated. Consultive Group on International Agricultural ResearchConsultive Group on International Agricultural Research is a strategic alliance of members, partners and international agricultural centers that uses science to benefit the poor. Engineers Without BordersEngineers Without Borders is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide to improve their quality of life. This partnership involves implementing sustainable engineering projects while involving and training internationally responsible engineers and engineering students. EnterpriseWorks/VITA (EWV)EnterpriseWorks/VITA (EWV), based in Washington, D.C., is an international not-profit organization working to combat poverty through economic development programs based on sustainable, enterprise-oriented solutions. EWV has worked with local businesses and organizations for more than 40 years in 100 countries. HelvetasHelvetas is oriented expressly not only towards material needs, such as procuring food, improving living conditions, increasing production and income and strengtheninginfrastructures. Equally important are immaterial needs–that is, social, cultural, and spiritual ones. These include overcoming paralyzing dependence, reducing inequality, building self-confidence and strengthening responsibility towards other human beings and the environment. International Food Policy Research InstituteInternational Food Policy Research Institute works to provide policy solutions that cut hunger and malnutrition. This mission flows from the CGIAR mission (see below): "To achieve sustainable food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through scientific research and research-related activities in the fields of agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries, policy and natural resources management." International Water Management InstitutionInternational Water Management Institution works to improve the management of land and water resources for food, livelihoods and nature. KickStartKickStart is a non-profit organization that develops and markets new technologies in Africa. These low-cost technologies are bought by local entrepreneurs and used to establish highly profitable new small businesses. They create new jobs and wealth, enabling the poor to climb out of poverty forever. Lutheran World ServiceLutheran World Service has a Department for Mission and Development (DMD) that works with member churches to create, maintain and develop ministries that integrate proclamation, service and advocacy for justice. Church leaders and workers, clergy and lay, are trained for witness and ministry through LWF sponsorship. Mercy CorpsMercy Corp exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. RDRS BangladeshRDRS Bangladesh is a national humanitarian and development NGO that has operated since 1972 in association with LWF/DWS Geneva and its Related Agencies. Winrock InternationalWinrock International is a non-profit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. |