Argentina An urban agriculture programme in Rosario To alleviate the plight of 60 per cent of families living below the poverty line in Rosario, the programme has helped more than 10,000 families establish 790 community gardens. They are now helping feed some 40,000 people. The programme has also contributed to security of land tenure and the improvement of conditions for women. Brazil Tomorrow's Seed Project and Human Development Aura Belem The local government in partnership with UNICEF and local stakeholders has taken the responsibility of eliminating child labor and expanding employment options and income generation for adults. This has completely eradicated child labor, reduced child malnutrition by 32 per cent, as well as brought a 15 per cent reduction in skin diseases among children, and an 80 per cent reduction in stunted growth. Canada First Nation Community Planning Project In a new initiative to fight discrimination and poverty among indigenous people, this project in partnership with the government, private institutions and universities has developed a new model to assist local indigenous communities. Seventeen people are currently using the Indigenous Community Planning Model to create and implement community-based plans. Eighteen planning trainees are employed are now leading their own planning initiatives. China Cleaning up the Tangshan coal district The Brownfield Remediation of the Tangshan Southern Coal Mining Area, China, is rejuvenating a region devastated by over 30 years of pollution and land degradation. A comprehensive programme in the area has helped clean up vast tracts of land on which more than one million trees have been planted, and stagnant pools transformed into pleasant lakes safe for swimming and water life. Iran A Green Path to Sustainable Development of Marginal Drylands For years, nomads of Iran's Gareh Bygone Plains, have been subject to desertification, drought and floods. The Green Path programme has helped alleviate the situation by controlling floodwaters and planting new forests. After 5 years, it has proven so successful that it has led to a government policy adopting aquifer management as a programme and allocating an annual budget. Kenya Easing the pain of constant drought Kenya's Kitui District with a population of just over half a million, is located in a drought-prone semi-arid area repeatedly. The sand dam programme of Sahelian Solutions Foundation Kenya has built 376 dams serving over 200,000 inhabitants. The project has improved food security, and been a boon to local economic activities such as bee-keeping, brick making, fruit orchards and vegetable crops. Palestine Computerising a new generation The IT4YOUTH programme is brining computer-based information technology to young people in the West Bank, using both school and community-based interventions to improve learning skills and employment. With 300 computers installed in 14 schools, it has made over 4,000 young Palestinians IT-proficient. Spain Sustainable development of the River Ter basin The River Ter basin in northeast of Catalonia used to be the economic motor of the region. But it is beset by environmental degradation, loss of water and biodiversity, and lacks a common policy framework. The objective of the Alba-Ter Consortium was to pioneer good governance as well as inter-administrative co-operation among government departments for a holistic management approach. Today, the majority of communities living in the area have linked up with the consortium Togo Helping young people get into business In Togo, AVEBETO, a non-governmental agency, is tackling unemployment by showing young people how to set up their own businesses. Students are encouraged to brainstorm on various business ideas and to start a business before the end of their training. In 1988 and 1998, nearly 10,000 university and college graduates were trained and about 70 per cent manage their own business today. The idea has been replicated in other African countries. Uzbekistan Reducing poverty among women In Uzbekistan not only is unemployment among women higher than men, but their salaries are lower. To redress this, the Business Woman's Association, an non-governmental organisation (NGO) launched the Integrated Program on Poverty Reduction among women through vocational training and micro-financing programs in rural areas. The programme has helped break down gender barriers, had a positive impact on the economy and helped women fend better for themselves and their families. |
