This case book provides examples of multi-stakeholder partnerships that aim to create sustainable enterprises for both the for-profit sectors and for individuals who live in conditions of poverty. Ideal for teaching, after a brief introduction to the case method, the cases are presented as descriptions with no comments or criticisms. The cases are arranged thematically and cover a broad array of solutions in diverse countries including India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Tanzania, the United States, South Africa, Mozambique, Peru, Ghana, Haiti,and Mexico. Specific programs for alleviating—or even eradicating—poverty through profitable partnerships come from myriad sectors such as banking, health, education, infrastructure development, environment, and technology. The cases highlight solutions that focus on bringing about substantive shifts in the conditions of life for those living in poverty.​

Despite the considerable economic growth of the Asia-Pacific, poverty continues to be a major problem. One key way to create sustainable livelihoods and to provide poor households an escape route from poverty is microfinance. Since the early 1980s, microfinance practitioners have proven that the poor are creditworthy, capable of utilizing scarce capital efficiently in viable incom-generating projects and able to pay back their loans. This book collects the experience of microfinance practitioners in 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region to describe the present state of the art. It is designed to provide an overview of the subject: why it is so essential to poverty reduction; what is the best practice; what kind of policy framework and regulatory environment is required. It offers both an extensive survey of the academic literature and a selection of case studies, all from authors who have been active practitioners in microfinance for many years. The case studies cover four key countries in South Asia and three countries in East Asia in which microfinance had become particularly important. There is also a regional chapter covering the Pacific islands.

The book emphasizes the importance of studying the local context, and then considering the macroeconomic factors which may be operating upon the economy of a particular country. Five extended case studies, in the Gambia, Ecuador, Mexico, Pakistan, and the UK are examined with reference to further aspects of sustainability and impact assessment.

More than one billion people still live below the poverty line – most of them in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Financial inclusion is a major issue, as more than three-quarters of the numbers of poor and disadvantaged women and men do not have access to financial products and services, such as bank accounts, affordable and suitable loans, and insurance. The key objective of this book is to provide practical case studies of financial inclusion, rather than focus on academic debates such as the ideological basis of promoting microfinance. Using the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals as an overall framing of the issues, it shows how poor and disadvantaged women and men can be bankable if the right facilitation for maximizing opportunities and addressing constraints are in place. Case studies confirm that achieving inclusive and sustainable access to financial products and services goes beyond simply enabling poor and disadvantaged women and men to have access to credit, or the ability to open a bank account. Examples from Africa, Asia and Latin America demonstrate encouraging progress in making microcredit accessible to millions of poor people. The foremost challenge, however, has been to ensure that they have access to, and usage intensity of, suitable and affordable financial products and services that meet the needs of their livelihoods as well as risks and mitigation strategies. This requires understanding that poor and disadvantaged women and men do not exist in isolation from complex and interdependent functions in the financial system, which includes a number of actors, diversified services, constraints (not just symptoms) and capacities and incentives. Overall, the book provides a rich source of examples of how building inclusive financial systems can empower the world's poor – by increasing income and employment opportunities, securing livelihoods and reducing poverty.

Poverty is an unnecessary form of human degradation and badly conceived economics. Our thesis is that poverty can be reduced, if not eradicated, both locally and globally. But this will occur only if we change our shared narratives about global free enterprise, remind ourselves that poverty is a system, and conceive of poverty alleviation as a "bottom-up" project. There is no "one size fits all" for poverty reduction. Rather, poverty is a system and must be addressed locally. It is our aim, as it is the aim of the United Nations, the World Bank, and many other organizations, to erase it from our vocabulary and from this planet. With a series of case studies that accompany each chapter, this book should assist readers in thinking about poverty alleviation from a number of perspectives, from bottom-up entrepreneurial projects, local-corporate ventures, with public–private partnerships, from focused philanthropy, with education and health care initiatives, and agriculture reforms in rural communities, all with the aim of creating a win-win result for local and partnership individuals, organizations, and communities. The book should be useful in various undergraduate and graduate courses on ethics, applied ethics, developing economic systems, and poverty.

Based on research presented at The Harvard Business School’s first-ever conference on business approaches to poverty alleviation, Business Solutions for the Global Poor brings together perspectives from leading academics and corporate, non-profit and public sector managers. The contributors draw on practical and dynamic how-to insights from leading BOP ventures from more than twenty countries world-wide. This important volume reflects poverty’s multi-faceted nature and a broad range of actors—multinational and local businesses, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations and governments—that play a role in its alleviation.

Ending poverty continues to be a major challenge for the global community. It is even more urgent and relevant today when the world is facing the covid-19 pandemic as it was two decades ago, when four women rose to prominent positions as ministers in charge of international development in their governments.Ending Global Poverty: Four Women's Noble Conspiracytells the story of Eveline Herfkens from the Netherlands, Hilde F. Johnson from Norway, Clare Short from the United Kingdom, and Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul from Germany who joined forces to challenge the establishment policies of international institutions. Named for the Norwegian Abbey where the formalized their collaboration in 1999, the so-called Utstein Four embarked on a 'conspiracy of implementation', using foreign aid as a tool to end global poverty, rather than pursue narrow political or commercial interests. They helped achieve primary education for women, used developing countries' debt relief to lift individuals out of poverty, and put development partners in charge of setting priorities and implementing programs of assistance. Their story of female empowerment and the importance of working together is a crucial lesson, andEnding Global Povertyfocuses on the implications of this for today's development challenges, including the struggle to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals which is becoming more difficult every day. The Utstein Four's collaboration lasted for only about half a dozen years but their influence continues to be felt. Much has been achieved but some lessons have been forgotten and large new challenges remain.Ending Global Poverty: Four Women'sNobel Conspiracyconsiders the lasting legacy of the Utstein group and the lessons that their experience of commitment, collaboration and leadership offers to a new generation of leaders as they work to eradicate global poverty and achieve sustainable development.

HowExpert Guide to Global Poverty is the ultimate resource for anyone seeking to understand poverty, address global inequality, and advance economic justice. Whether you're a student, activist, policymaker, or concerned global citizen, this guide equips you with the tools, knowledge, and real-world examples needed to contribute to meaningful solutions. With insights into the historical roots of poverty and forward-looking strategies, this book empowers you to take action in both your local community and the wider world. - Introduction: Introduces key concepts, audiences, and the structure of the guide, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of global poverty and actionable solutions. - Chapter 1: Root Causes of Global Poverty – Explores the historical, political, economic, social, and environmental factors that contribute to the persistence of poverty worldwide. - Chapter 2: Regional Perspectives on Poverty – Provides an in-depth analysis of how poverty manifests in different regions, using real-world case studies. - Chapter 3: The Human Impact of Poverty – Examines how poverty affects health, education, mental well-being, and social structures, creating cycles of disadvantage across the globe. - Chapter 4: Global Responses to Poverty – Analyzes the role of governments, NGOs, and international organizations in combating poverty through aid programs and global partnerships. - Chapter 5: Economic Theories and Approaches to Poverty Alleviation – Discusses traditional and emerging economic solutions to poverty, including redistribution policies, microfinance, and Universal Basic Income. - Chapter 6: The Future of Global Poverty – Explores the potential of technology, sustainable development, and grassroots initiatives to shape the future of poverty alleviation. - Chapter 7: What You Can Do: Actionable Steps for Individuals – Empowers readers with practical steps they can take to fight poverty locally and globally, including volunteering, ethical consumption, and advocacy. - Chapter 8: Intersectionality and Poverty – Delves into how race, gender, age, and disability intersect with poverty, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. - Chapter 9: Migration and Global Poverty – Explores how forced migration, economic migration, and remittances impact poverty in both migrant-sending and host countries. - Chapter 10: Mental Health and Poverty – Examines the psychological toll of poverty and highlights community-based mental health interventions in low-income regions. - Chapter 11: Digital Solutions and the Fight Against Poverty – Showcases how fintech, mobile banking, and blockchain technology are revolutionizing access to financial services for the poor. - Chapter 12: Media, Representation, and Poverty – Analyzes how poverty is portrayed in the media and the ethics of “poverty porn,” while highlighting campaigns that drive real change. - Chapter 13: Business and Corporate Responsibility in Alleviating Poverty – Explores the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ethical business models in reducing poverty and promoting fair trade. - Chapter 14: Data-Driven Approaches to Poverty Alleviation – Discusses how big data, predictive models, and AI are transforming poverty programs by improving resource allocation and tracking impact. - Conclusion: Summarizes key takeaways and encourages readers to continue the fight against poverty through awareness, advocacy, and action. HowExpert Guide to Global Poverty equips you with the knowledge and strategies to make a positive impact on the fight against global poverty. Whether you want to contribute locally or globally, this guide is a valuable tool for creating a more just and equitable world. Get your copy today and take your first step toward meaningful change! HowExpert publishes how to guides on all topics from A to Z.