In a 2025 survey, residents of Portugal were asked what they believed to be the country’s biggest issue. About 43.4% identified the housing crisis as the main problem, ranking it second to the health care system. The Portuguese housing crisis intensified in 2025. With soaring property prices and limited affordable housing, many residents find it increasingly difficult to feel secure in their current living situations.
In early 2025, property prices in Portugal experienced a record annual increase of 16.3%, exacerbating the housing crisis, particularly in urban centers like Lisbon and Porto. In addition, rent prices are projected to rise by 2.16%, impacting tenants across the country. However, recent government initiatives and policy reforms aim to alleviate these challenges and provide sustainable solutions for residents.
Government Measures To Expand Affordable Housing
The government launched a more than $2.2 billion package to address Portugal’s housing crisis and build around 33,000 new homes by 2030 for low-income families. Of these, 10,000 will have full non-refundable financing, with the remaining homes benefiting from public grants covering 60% of construction costs. Together with previous investments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the total committed public housing units are closer to 59,000 by 2030.
Parallel to this, the government signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank for a $1.5 billion credit line to build and renovate approximately 12,000 controlled-rent homes. These homes are meant to be affordable and are part of the housing policy, which is being treated as a core priority under the current administration.
The Construir Portugal strategy deploys more than 30 measures to address the housing crisis. These measures focus on increasing supply (public, private, cooperative), simplifying licensing, restoring confidence in the rental sector and ensuring legislation supports affordable housing.
These large-scale investments and policy reforms are central to tackling Portugal’s housing crisis. They aim not only to expand housing stock but also to improve terms of access and ensure affordability for vulnerable and middle-income households.
Policy Reforms To Stabilize the Market
Beyond construction, policy reform is also a critical part of addressing Portugal’s housing crisis. The government has introduced tax incentives for young buyers, such as exemptions from property transfer tax and stamp duty for people younger than 35 purchasing homes valued up to $369,800.
Portugal’s parliament has approved a major reform that has allowed rural land to be reclassified for urban use, with at least 70% being reserved for affordable public housing. The law has set the maximum sale prices below the market rates to curb speculation.
“The housing crisis in Portugal is serious and we need more cheap homes,” stated Territorial Cohesion Minister Castro Henriques in parliament. However, these reforms have been criticized by up to 21 different environmental NGOs. They warn that these reforms could trigger “uncontrolled urban expansion” despite existing urban land not being used and 720,000 homes still vacant.
Yet with Lisbon rents up 94% and house prices rising 186% since 2015, the government has argued that these reforms are essential to end Portugal’s housing crisis.
Private Sector Innovation and Modular Construction
Private sector innovation is becoming essential to solving Portugal’s housing crisis. Analysts stress that government efforts alone will not meet demand, meaning developers and construction companies must step in with scalable, cost-effective solutions.
A recent report by DWF highlights the need for regulatory reform and financial incentives to unlock new supply. Proposals include reducing or eliminating building fees, lowering VAT on housing projects to 6% and simplifying licensing procedures. These changes would reduce costs and delays, making it easier for private developers to respond to soaring demand.
At the same time, modular construction is gaining traction. Offsite building methods cut costs, shorten delivery times and improve sustainability. This has offered a practical way to increase housing stock a lot quicker. By delivering homes faster and at lower prices, modular housing can help offset supply shortages that have left many Portuguese families struggling.
Yet the urgency is clear, experts warn that Portugal still needs around 150,000 homes to balance the market, with banks cautioning that Portugal’s housing crisis is becoming “unsustainable.” The private sector can help ease Portugal’s housing crisis through innovation and public-private collaboration.
Long-Term Outlook
The Portuguese housing crisis remains one of the most urgent social and economic issues plaguing the country. With rent and property prices outpacing wages, thousands of families risk being priced out of their homes. While government investment packages, policy reforms and new regulatory frameworks signal a serious commitment to change, private sector contributions, from modular construction to cooperative developments, are vital in closing the ever-growing housing gap.
Yet, experts continue to warn that the shortfall of affordable homes remains severe. Environmental concerts of many NGOs over urban expansion also highlight the delicate balance between rapid development and sustainable planning.
Ultimately, solving the Portuguese housing crisis will require long-term collaboration between government, industry and local communities. If these measures are effectively implemented, they offer a chance to stabilize the market and restore hope to the many families who want an affordable, secure place to live.
– Charlie Wood
Charlie is based in West Yorkshire, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Pixabay
The Portuguese Housing Crisis: Rising Rents and Solutions
In early 2025, property prices in Portugal experienced a record annual increase of 16.3%, exacerbating the housing crisis, particularly in urban centers like Lisbon and Porto. In addition, rent prices are projected to rise by 2.16%, impacting tenants across the country. However, recent government initiatives and policy reforms aim to alleviate these challenges and provide sustainable solutions for residents.
Government Measures To Expand Affordable Housing
The government launched a more than $2.2 billion package to address Portugal’s housing crisis and build around 33,000 new homes by 2030 for low-income families. Of these, 10,000 will have full non-refundable financing, with the remaining homes benefiting from public grants covering 60% of construction costs. Together with previous investments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the total committed public housing units are closer to 59,000 by 2030.
Parallel to this, the government signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank for a $1.5 billion credit line to build and renovate approximately 12,000 controlled-rent homes. These homes are meant to be affordable and are part of the housing policy, which is being treated as a core priority under the current administration.
The Construir Portugal strategy deploys more than 30 measures to address the housing crisis. These measures focus on increasing supply (public, private, cooperative), simplifying licensing, restoring confidence in the rental sector and ensuring legislation supports affordable housing.
These large-scale investments and policy reforms are central to tackling Portugal’s housing crisis. They aim not only to expand housing stock but also to improve terms of access and ensure affordability for vulnerable and middle-income households.
Policy Reforms To Stabilize the Market
Beyond construction, policy reform is also a critical part of addressing Portugal’s housing crisis. The government has introduced tax incentives for young buyers, such as exemptions from property transfer tax and stamp duty for people younger than 35 purchasing homes valued up to $369,800.
Portugal’s parliament has approved a major reform that has allowed rural land to be reclassified for urban use, with at least 70% being reserved for affordable public housing. The law has set the maximum sale prices below the market rates to curb speculation.
“The housing crisis in Portugal is serious and we need more cheap homes,” stated Territorial Cohesion Minister Castro Henriques in parliament. However, these reforms have been criticized by up to 21 different environmental NGOs. They warn that these reforms could trigger “uncontrolled urban expansion” despite existing urban land not being used and 720,000 homes still vacant.
Yet with Lisbon rents up 94% and house prices rising 186% since 2015, the government has argued that these reforms are essential to end Portugal’s housing crisis.
Private Sector Innovation and Modular Construction
Private sector innovation is becoming essential to solving Portugal’s housing crisis. Analysts stress that government efforts alone will not meet demand, meaning developers and construction companies must step in with scalable, cost-effective solutions.
A recent report by DWF highlights the need for regulatory reform and financial incentives to unlock new supply. Proposals include reducing or eliminating building fees, lowering VAT on housing projects to 6% and simplifying licensing procedures. These changes would reduce costs and delays, making it easier for private developers to respond to soaring demand.
At the same time, modular construction is gaining traction. Offsite building methods cut costs, shorten delivery times and improve sustainability. This has offered a practical way to increase housing stock a lot quicker. By delivering homes faster and at lower prices, modular housing can help offset supply shortages that have left many Portuguese families struggling.
Yet the urgency is clear, experts warn that Portugal still needs around 150,000 homes to balance the market, with banks cautioning that Portugal’s housing crisis is becoming “unsustainable.” The private sector can help ease Portugal’s housing crisis through innovation and public-private collaboration.
Long-Term Outlook
The Portuguese housing crisis remains one of the most urgent social and economic issues plaguing the country. With rent and property prices outpacing wages, thousands of families risk being priced out of their homes. While government investment packages, policy reforms and new regulatory frameworks signal a serious commitment to change, private sector contributions, from modular construction to cooperative developments, are vital in closing the ever-growing housing gap.
Yet, experts continue to warn that the shortfall of affordable homes remains severe. Environmental concerts of many NGOs over urban expansion also highlight the delicate balance between rapid development and sustainable planning.
Ultimately, solving the Portuguese housing crisis will require long-term collaboration between government, industry and local communities. If these measures are effectively implemented, they offer a chance to stabilize the market and restore hope to the many families who want an affordable, secure place to live.
– Charlie Wood
Photo: Pixabay
Financing the Future: Samurai Bonds Helping Kenya Grow
It underscored its efforts to diversify funding sources and pursue more cost-effective borrowing options to finance the future and help Kenya grow. Kenya’s gross public debt has climbed steadily in recent years, from 45.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015 to 67.8% in 2021. Infrastructure projects and reliance on Eurobonds and bilateral loans drive this. This makes the move toward Samurai financing particularly significant as part of a broader debt diversification strategy.
Why Samurai Bonds Matter
Samurai bonds are yen-denominated loans issued in Japan by foreign entities. For developing countries like Kenya, they represent a critical opportunity to access Japanese capital markets and secure funds at lower interest rates than many dollar-denominated loans. With global debt burdens rising, innovative tools like Samurai bonds provide nations with greater financial flexibility and protection from volatile Western credit markets.
Kenya’s choice to issue Samurai bonds reflects a broader global trend. Countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines have also experimented with similar instruments, demonstrating their usefulness as a way to diversify financing while strengthening international ties. Economists believe these types of bonds, along with Panda bonds in China and sustainability-linked bonds, will become increasingly important.
They help nations manage debt while also seeking funds for sustainable development. As of the most recent analysis, 43% of Kenya’s external debt is multilateral, 31% bilateral and 27% commercial, which are mainly Eurobonds. Samurai bonds provide a way to rebalance this mix and reduce exposure to high-cost commercial borrowing.
Direct Benefits for Kenya
The immediate benefits of Kenya’s Samurai bond financing are of great importance for financing the future of Kenya. First, the funding will support job creation in the country’s growing vehicle assembly plants, part of its broader plan to become a regional manufacturing hub. Second, by modernizing energy infrastructure, the financing will help reduce electricity transmission losses, improving grid reliability for both households and businesses.
This will cut costs, boost productivity and increase competitiveness for local industries. Additionally, tapping into new markets signals investor confidence in Kenya’s long-term prospects. This may encourage future international investment, making it easier for Kenya to access capital at favorable rates.
By diversifying its funding sources, Kenya can avoid over-reliance on a single market or currency, reducing vulnerability to global economic shocks. The Debt Sustainability Analysis has noted that Kenya is vulnerable to external “market financing shocks” as Eurobond markets tighten. This risk has grown, especially following the Russia-Ukraine conflict and global monetary tightening.
A Solution-Focused Shift
Beyond its immediate economic benefits, the Samurai bond deal highlights a solution-oriented approach to Kenya’s development challenges. Traditional loans have often come with high interest rates, rigid repayment terms or political conditions. By pursuing Samurai bonds, Kenya is demonstrating how developing countries can use innovative financial tools to secure resources that are both affordable and aligned with their development needs.
This move also shows the immediate effect of global partnerships in supporting Kenya’s growth. For Kenya, the deal is not only about managing debt, it is about investing strategically in sectors that will generate long-term returns. By strengthening vehicle assembly and energy, the government is targeting industries with strong multiplier effects.
New jobs, better infrastructure and increased investor confidence all feed into broader economic growth to finance the future of the country. Other developing nations may see this as a model worth replicating, signaling a shift toward creative financing solutions that link global capital to local development goals.
Looking Ahead
The full impact of the Samurai bond deal will take time to measure. However, it already represents an important milestone in Kenya’s financial strategy. By turning to innovative financing mechanisms, the country is showing how global partnerships can unlock resources that directly improve people’s lives.
For citizens, the results of global partnerships could include more reliable electricity, new employment opportunities in manufacturing and greater stability in the economy. For the international community, the deal highlights the importance of offering developing nations access to affordable financing tools that allow them to chart their own paths toward sustainable growth.
Kenya’s foray into Samurai bonds is more than just a loan. It is a reminder that creative financial solutions can drive development, reduce poverty and build resilience in a rapidly changing world.
– Nilay Ersoy
Photo: Pxhere
BC Sakhi in India: Women Bringing Banking to Rural Doorsteps
This severe gap was not merely impractical, but resulted in a perpetual cycle of debt for many. Local moneylenders in rural India often charge high interest rates to exploit villagers with little to no knowledge of or access to formal credit and banking.
The Launch of BC Sakhi in India
2020 marked the start of something that completely reshaped a harsh reality for many rural Indians. Over the past five years, the Bank Correspondent (BC) Sakhi initiative has been dedicated to bridging this gap that leads to exploitation, going door-to-door to bring India closer to true financial freedom.
Launched by the Indian government under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), the BC Sakhi (friend) initiative aims to appoint at least one female banking correspondent for every Gram Panchayat (village council). Women from self-help groups are recruited and provided with extensive vocational training to be on the frontlines of financial inclusion, interacting with villagers to transform financial management.
These women take on roles ranging from raising financial literacy to opening bank accounts and linking villagers with credible institutions that offer credit, savings and government benefit transfers.
A Community-Centered Approach
The initiative adopts a tailored approach to overcome connectivity barriers—historically a major reason for access gaps in villages. Women within the community, often from underprivileged backgrounds and needing employment, are brought into the program. This enables them to secure a stable income to support their families while gaining vocational skills that help them advance in their careers.
Technology as a Tool for Inclusion
A door-to-door approach, while fruitful, created challenges of efficiency that needed to be resolved to speed up progress for villagers. As of 2022, only 37% of rural Indians were aware of or claimed to have used digital banking. Reflecting on this trend, the initiative tapped into an underutilized resource with great potential to transform banking for rural Indians—technology. Digital tools to accelerate adoption include:
Banking on Women’s Empowerment
While serving the rural population, the initiative also empowers rural women in all aspects of life. By stepping into the role of a BC Sakhis, women gain access to:
The initiative has already trained more than 50,000 women to serve as links between rural Indians and formal banking. By adopting a community-centered approach, the program has contributed to positive change toward reducing both financial insecurity and social marginalization of women. As more villages continue to be linked to correspondents under the scheme, BC Sakhi in India is set to remain a cornerstone of the nation’s journey to complete financial inclusion.
– Anahadhbir Singh
Photo: Unsplash
Women’s Empowerment in Rwanda is Driving Poverty Reduction
Increasing Exports
Almost 70% of Rwandan women work in agriculture and the practice covers a third of GDP and accounts for nearly half of all export revenues. Therefore, empowering female farmers in Rwanda is pivotal to increasing the economy. The World Food Programme (WFP) and partners have introduced various initiatives to help reduce gender inequalities, improve food security and support potential female leaders. Farmers are now being taught entrepreneurial skills such as public speaking and governing, as well as innovative farming techniques such as grafting, market access and contract negotiation.
Another major export that Rwanda relies on is coffee. With 400,000 rural smallholder families engaged in production, coffee remains a cornerstone crop in Rwanda. Among the key actors is the Twongere Umusaruro Cooperative (TUK), which works closely with the Relationship Coffee Institute (RCI). Founded in 2013, RCI aims to transform the lives of rural, low-income women coffee farmers by providing training and access to markets. Initially working with 4,000 women, the organization has since expanded to support more than 30,000 coffee growers.
Additional Women’s Centers
Rwanda has established several women’s centers to address gender-based violence, inequality and discrimination, while promoting economic empowerment. Access to justice has improved nationwide, with eight centers providing comprehensive services to survivors of gender-based violence.
Furthermore, Women for Women Rwanda’s program has reached more than 80,000 women, providing training, mentorship and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods. The organization also works with men through the Men’s Engagement Program (MEP).
Using a “training the trainer” approach, local leaders teach men about women’s rights and gender equality, encouraging them to influence others and create environments where women can reach their full potential. In 2023 alone, 920 men completed the MEP.
Improving Women’s Financial Inclusion
Women in Rwanda are more likely to struggle financially. They face higher unemployment rates and men still hold most managerial positions. To address this, the government has implemented the “Gender Equality Seal” program. If the government deems that a company supports women as much as men, it receives this title and additional benefits. As a result, women’s financial situations have improved, with access to financial products increasing by 11%.
Additionally, the Joint Programme on Accelerating Progress Toward the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women (JP RWEE) works across Africa, including Rwanda and is currently in its second phase. The program focuses on strengthening rural women’s access to finance and ensuring the lasting impact of their knowledge and skills.
Better Health Care
Rwanda has made significant strides in health care for women and children through innovation, technology and targeted interventions. The Rwanda Health Information System (RHIS) has made collecting and managing health data far more efficient. Furthermore, drones have greatly improved medical delivery time, particularly to remote areas.
The RapidSMS program sends pregnant women free text messages with health information, appointment reminders and alerts to health facilities about danger signs in their communities. These innovations have accumulated a global record in reducing maternal mortality. To maintain this progress, Rwanda has introduced maternal death audits, which investigate each case and recommend measures to prevent future fatalities.
Moreover, life expectancy for women in Rwanda has risen to 72 years. Around 97% receive antenatal care and more than 64% of married women use some form of birth control. Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services are available in 85% of health facilities, effectively eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission. The government also plans to achieve 100% access to drinking water and electricity, with no significant gender disparities, further supporting women’s health and well-being.
Accessible Education
Rwanda has achieved universal education. Primary education is free and compulsory, with girls’ enrollment in primary school currently standing at 98%. Government programs have led to a more comfortable environment for girls. These include school feeding programs, 12 years of basic education and gender-friendly school environments. As a result, girls’ enrollment in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects has risen considerably.
Prior to current initiatives, period poverty forced young women in Rwanda to stay at home. The government introduced Icyumba Cy’umukobwa (The Girls’ Room) to address the issue. These rooms provide a safe space for menstruating girls, offering free sanitary products, beds, pain relief and towels. Experienced female advisors support girls in navigating the challenges of menstruation. Furthermore, Rwanda also removed VAT on sanitary products as a nationwide initiative, continuing the fight to end period poverty for all.
Conclusion
Rwanda’s experience demonstrates that empowering women is a matter of social justice and a powerful driver of national development. From political representation and economic participation to education, health care and social initiatives, women’s empowerment has tangibly reduced poverty, increased productivity and improved quality of life across Rwanda. Women in Rwanda are proving their value and showcasing how sustainable development is inseparable from gender equality. Investing in women is investing in the future of the nation.
– Lysia Wright
Photo: Flickr
Telehealth: An Initiative To End Maternal Mortality in Honduras
Maternal Mortality in Honduras: A Grave Problem
As of 2024, the maternal mortality rate in Honduras clocked in at 58 per 100,000 live births. One significant contributing factor to these alarmingly high rates is a widespread lack of access to health care, especially in rural areas. Honduras ranks among the nations with the lowest physician density in Latin America. However, approximately 57% of live births occur in rural regions. Consequently, a dangerous shortage of medical assistance and knowledge exists in highland regions like Cópan, which is a five-hour drive away from Guatemala City, the nearest metropolitan area.
Even though Honduras has taken strides in reducing maternal deaths in the past few years, its rates still surpass those of comparable countries such as Mexico, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The statistics are grim. Approximately 4.2% of all deaths in women ages 15-49 are due to maternal complications, more than double that in the United States. The majority of these deaths are the result of severe bleeding and infections, which could be prevented if not for the lack of quality health care in rural areas.
Misconceptions Impacting Infant Health
The neonatal mortality rate in Honduras is correspondingly high, at an average of nine deaths for every 1,000 live births. Without their mothers, many infants are subject to neglect and other potentially harmful practices, which include feeding the infant with a damp, honeyed cloth and wrapping a band around its umbilical cord. In villages where the nearest medical facility is hundreds of miles away, it’s easy for dangerous misconceptions like these to spread.
However, researchers theorized that educating community members could bridge the knowledge gap and increase awareness of healthy postpartum practices. A health care intervention system was implemented in more than 5,000 households in the Cópan region to test this notion. During this period, families were regularly visited by community health care workers who instructed them on birth-related topics such as infant care, illness prevention and reproductive health.
Along with increasing parents’ likelihood to visit a health facility and breastfeed the infant shortly after birth, the intervention also decreased potentially dangerous practices. The study showed that providing health care services can significantly increase maternal and infant health, demonstrating an urgent need to implement medical services in rural areas.
The Pan American Health Organization
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency comprising 35 member countries in North, Central and South America. Since its founding in 1902, it has collaborated with governments and other organizations to address key problems in Latin American health care. Its achievements are lengthy and include extending the hemisphere’s life expectancy, eliminating numerous fatal diseases and spearheading the world’s first global immunization week. However, the organization’s work is far from over.
An interview with PAHO director Jarbas Barbosa illustrates exactly how the organization’s innovative solutions propel it into a new era of health and connection. Barbosa is no stranger to hard work; soon after obtaining his master’s degree and PhD from the University of Campinas in São Paulo, he embarked on a decades-long journey in public health.
Upon interviewing him about the PAHO’s vision for the future, his passion for improving the lives of others is clear in his promise that, “as director, I am committed to expanding our engagement to improve the health and well-being of all people in the Americas.” He believes that by investing in solutions that address common health problems, PAHO can address the root causes of other prevalent issues affecting Latin America, from political corruption to climate instability.
However, he emphasizes that the PAHO can’t expect to do this independently; instead, “Successfully meeting all these challenges requires effective coordination across sectors.” To do this, PAHO collaborates with influential groups like the World Bank and invests in new research and technology to best address the needs of the Latin American population.
PAHO’s Maternal Telehealth Initiative
So, what do scientific studies on rural health care intervention and the PAHO’s goal of technological collaboration mean for maternal health in Honduras? The answer is a groundbreaking telehealth initiative that enables essential medical assistance for pregnant women living in rural areas.
In collaboration with the Latin American Center for Perinatology, the PAHO has established a teleconsultation pilot, in which women are provided with routine blood-pressure testing and virtual check-ins throughout their pregnancy. As a result, potential maternal complications can be addressed before they become life-threatening.
The program also utilizes the help of community volunteers, who are trained to take vital readings and spread information about immunizations and healthy habits to their community. Bremen de Mucio, a Regional Maternal Health Advisor at PAHO, calls the initiative “a standout example of collaborating to address health care challenges and improve health equality.” While it is too early to observe its long-term effects, telehealth is undoubtedly a significant step in identifying warning signs and reducing pregnancy-related deaths.
– Grace Gonzalez
Photo: Flickr
Tackling Water Scarcity in Türkiye
The U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) reported that 88% of Türkiye’s land is highly vulnerable to desertification, leading to severe water scarcity by 2023. Türkiye is taking decisive steps and applying alternatives to tackle this crisis. However, with more international aid and partnerships in water projects, there could be more progress.
Challenges in Tackling Water Scarcity in Türkiye
While the government is making efforts to mitigate the crisis, challenges remain, including:
Steps To Address the Crisis
To address this crisis, Türkiye was forced to find alternatives, such as constructing pump systems for water delivery in the needed areas. Furthermore, on June 27, 2024, the World Bank approved $ 600 million for Türkiye to address the escalating threats of floods and droughts. The project includes constructing flood control facilities and improving real-time agricultural drought monitoring stations. The drought monitoring maps help farmers choose better crops and decide when they are suitable for irrigation so they don’t waste water.
On June 2, 2025, the World Bank approved $819 million in financing for the Türkiye Second Irrigation Modernization and Water Efficiency Project. This project focuses on improving irrigation systems, supporting at least 50,000 farms in areas experiencing extreme heat and flooding. Such a project greatly helps conserve more water since the agriculture sector consumes 85% of the total available water.
Additionally, on March 22, 2025, Türkiye’s National Water Efficiency Initiative was launched. The program includes events and campaigns to raise citizens’ awareness about the responsible use of water. Progress has been made in tackling the water crisis, but more effort is still needed.
– Eiman Elsawy
Photo: Flickr
The Power of Youth in Nepal: 3 Organizations Fighting Poverty
Here are three youth organizations demonstrating how youth-led initiatives in Nepal can break poverty cycles and drive lasting change.
YUWA
YUWA, meaning “youth” in Nepali, is a nonprofit organization run by young people aged 16-29. The organization is rewriting poverty alleviation in Nepal by tackling what many nonprofit organizations overlook: young people’s agency, rights and civic power. Founded in 2009, the organization aims to amplify youth participation through empowerment and advocacy.
By increasing civic voice, enhancing leadership skills and shaping policy environments, YUWA seeks to alter the underlying systems that sustain multidimensional poverty. Active citizenship is one of YUWA’s core focuses. The organization believes that if young people are empowered to become more aware of the country’s issues, they are more likely to become active citizens who can influence their communities and thus the country as a whole.
YUWA runs various initiatives such as Prarambha and Pahichan. Prarambha is a two-day workshop targeted toward urban youths aged 18-27. Through activities, discussions and games, this young cohort forms plans and initiates local-level interventions within Kathmandu valley based on need, time and budget. Similarly, Pahichan is a three-day workshop targeted at semi-rural youths to learn necessary soft skills and foster innovative ideas to address social issues based on the region’s needs.
The Pahichan initiative was implemented in three provinces and six cities and reached 126 youths. By combining rights-education, leadership capacity and participatory advocacy, YUWA helps tackle the social and informational deficits contributing to poverty. In doing so, it empowers young people to act as change agents in their own lives and communities.
Hami Nepal
A central actor in the recent protests in Nepal, Hami Nepal is an organization founded in 2015 and registered in 2020. Its main objective is to connect donors with recipients, ensuring that all donations received directly benefit efforts to improve community living conditions. In crises, it provides direct relief: distributing food, winter clothing and medical assistance, helping vulnerable households meet basic needs so that, when hit by shocks, families do not have to choose between hunger, health or education.
This stabilization is key in preventing long-term poverty. Alongside aid delivery, Hami Nepal’s participation in youth mobilization and protest for accountability addresses systemic poverty: poor governance and lack of accountability have allowed inequalities to persist. By pushing for transparent governance, Hami Nepal seeks to change the structural causes of poverty.
In 2023, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit Jajarkot District, Karnali Province. In a 127-day project to provide relief to those affected by the earthquake, Hami Nepal helped more than 13,000 families. The organization set up nearly 100 community tents to offer temporary housing and a further 50 tents within schools to ensure a safe learning environment for students and teachers. Additional medical equipment was delivered to Nalgad Primary Hospital and more than 500 jackets were distributed across various schools in affected areas.
Hami Nepal addresses immediate issues but also seeks to implement sustainable long-term solutions. Through proactive engagement, youth advocacy and collaboration, the organization stands alongside communities, fostering resilience and guiding positive change in Nepal.
Yuwalaya
Yuwalaya is an organization that has built a platform for youths, adolescents and child club graduates. It bridges organizations working on children’s and youth rights, providing a safe space to collaborate with young people and help them attain the best opportunities in health and education.
One of Yuwalaya’s current initiatives is Creating Safe Space for Children (CSSC). This project seeks to strengthen school child protection systems to ensure that learning environments are safer and free from violence. It also equips teachers and local government actors with safeguarding and school safety plan development knowledge and tools.
Raising awareness among teachers and family members on issues such as early marriage, bullying and harassment can increase the likelihood of children staying in school. It can also reduce the risk of violence and early pregnancy, which in turn helps prevent the worsening of poverty cycles. So far, this three-year-long project has collaborated with 24 schools.
The formation of Shadow Governments in Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces was an additional initiative that allowed young people to engage with policymakers and influence local governance. The organization played a pivotal role in developing and submitting Nepal’s first-ever Youth-Led Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report to the United Nations. This effort ensured that the voices of young people and children are heard in shaping an equal future for all.
Through its initiatives, Yuwalaya tackles poverty by equipping young people to lead change, champion their rights and build pathways toward sustainable development.
Final Remarks
From offering training that builds employable skills to championing policy changes that amplify young voices, Nepal is witnessing youth-led poverty alleviation through nonprofit organizations. Their work demonstrates that investing in tools to help young people succeed improves their futures and uplifts entire communities.
– Elysha Din
Photo: Flickr
Poverty Reduction in Sri Lanka
Praja Shakthi
Under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the “Praja Shakthi” initiative was approved by the Cabinet and launched in July 2025. The program was introduced as part of a broader push to streamline and strengthen poverty reduction programs in Sri Lanka. It focuses on empowering communities through a bottom-up, people-centred approach.
Reports suggest that over the last few decades, the number of poverty reduction programs in Sri Lanka and their beneficiaries has skyrocketed, increasing from 1.10 million in 2010 to 1.79 million people in 2024. The aim was to have a “social security program” that vulnerable populations could access easily. Therefore, the government approved the program with the vision of achieving “Pohosath Ratak – Surakshitha Jeewithayak” (A wealthy country with a secure life).
Accordingly, the program is focused on “empowering communities to drive their own development.” This outlook has emphasized the importance of involving the community in identifying and bringing issues that affect them on an individual level to the forefront, rather than having others who don’t have first-hand experience of poverty speak on their behalf. To cement this approach, the Sri Lankan government has set up Community Development Councils that approve the proposals and help implement them.
Health and Education
It has been reported in The Morning report that the program has aimed to go beyond the poverty reduction mandates of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and lift people out of poverty at both the regional and village levels. Reports indicate that a critical component of the program is the formal inclusion of health and education. Contrary to previous poverty reduction initiatives, Praja Shakthi has identified and recognized the role of education, giving it similar priority to its health, food security, transportation and marketing principles.
In terms of implementation, the strategy is to work through 14,008 grama niladhari offices across Sri Lanka. The program aims to raise the most impoverished families by assessing their educational, vocational and financial challenges, including their inability to save. Around 50 families per Grama Niladhari Division (GND) will be selected initially to receive personalized development plans focused on employability and entrepreneurship, with support from Samurdhi and Economic Development Officers.
While official selection criteria have yet to be fully disclosed, the government has stated its focus on targeting the most vulnerable households. With ambitious projections on the project’s outcomes and the promise of keeping a close eye on the program’s commitments, things appear to be moving in the right direction. However, the full impact will only become clear over time.
The Aswesuma Program
Another program that has recently gained traction in the media is the Aswesuma initiative. In its initial phase, the program was implemented to create a “poverty-free” Sri Lanka by 2048, focusing on transitioning from a welfare state to an entrepreneurial state. However, due to a lack of proper implementation and consideration for the beneficiaries, the policy received much backlash, lauded as overly politicized and inconsiderate.
However, under the recently revised provisions, Dissanayake announced a revised monthly allowance amount for beneficiaries qualifying under the scheme, which was set to kickstart in January 2025. Under the new structure, recipients were divided into four groups, each receiving a welfare amount proportional to their needs. The four categories include the extremely poor, poor, vulnerable and transitional groups receiving funds ranging from $197 to $56 through 2025. Twenty-two indicators have been identified to determine the selection criteria for prospective beneficiaries.
LIRNEasia’s 2023 national survey found that indicators such as electricity consumption, vehicle ownership and land ownership help identify the most vulnerable populations under the Aswesuma program. These measures allow poverty reduction efforts to be implemented more effectively across the state. As an added measure, the government has introduced a new digital platform to identify potential beneficiaries. The system stores data from four schemes under the Welfare Benefits Information System (WBIS), improving data access efficiency and reliability.
Conclusion
While it’s too early to measure the outcomes of these poverty reduction programs in Sri Lanka, the government’s renewed commitment and structural changes point to a promising shift in a people-centric, data-driven and inclusive perspective. Though the road ahead remains long and the full effect of these programs is yet to be seen, the nation’s fight against poverty has seen a remarkable shift, one where policy is streamlined to its people’s needs. With continued effort, implementation and accountability, Sri Lanka may be on a path to more long-lasting, equitable change.
– Vasudhaa Shakdher
Photo: Flickr
Higher Education in North Macedonia
A Consistent Decline
Higher education in North Macedonia is a part of a broader national education system under stress. North Macedonia’s primary and secondary student body has been steadily shrinking since 2021, which is by extension drying up the pool of applicants for higher education year over year.
In the 2021/2022 school year, primary and secondary school enrollment fell by a combined 3.1%, while the number of enrolled students who actually completed the academic year fell by 18%, a metric indicative of dropout rates combined with increasing levels of young people and families emigrating from the country.
Systemic Struggles
In 2021, North Macedonia’s education system introduced the Concept for Primary Education, a program designed to foster logical reasoning and critical thinking skills rather than rote memorization. However, three years later textbooks supporting this new framework have not been issued. Of the 126 textbooks necessary for all learning subjects, mandatory and elective, the Ministry of Education and Culture failed to provide 43, according to the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa.
There are shortages even in areas with improved infrastructure. Many schools have to operate in two shifts due to overcrowding, which increases teacher workloads, forcing them to juggle large class sizes and insufficient teaching materials, while students are stuck in cramped and poorly maintained environments.
Much of these struggles stem from spending cuts and broader systemic problems. In the preceding decade, North Macedonia has steadily decreased national spending on the education sector, falling to just 3.8% of GDP, according to World Bank figures. The funds are subject to corruption and the bureaucratic inefficiencies of fragmented governing bodies.
Nonstarters and Brain Drain
These issues ripple upwards into higher education in North Macedonia. As many as 25% of North Macedonians have not finished high school. Of the remaining 75%, only 17% have attained a college education, according to Balkan Insight.
These numbers are indicative not only of an underskilled residential populace, but also of a loss of talent. Higher education graduates leave school to discover low wages, a lack of career options and overall limited economic prospects at home. As a result, many students reject higher education in North Macedonia in favor of studying abroad in Europe and often do not return.
This loss of students perpetuates the cycle of underdevelopment. North Macedonia spends between 116 and €433 million annually on developing students who ultimately leave its borders. Low investment in higher education facilities and technologies means that these students have to seek opportunities elsewhere.
On the Path to Educational Reform
In recent years, North Macedonia has adopted several reforms aimed at strengthening quality assurance, transparency and institutional performance in higher education. As of 2023, it has implemented the EU-backed rulebooks on “Determining Professional and Scientific Titles” and “Methodology, Standards and Procedure for Accreditation” in an effort to standardize educational policy and boost consistency across institutions.
North Macedonia has also invited EU-backed foreign experts to evaluate its university institutions and study programs. The intention is to bring external oversight and broader stakeholder participation into accreditation and quality control and meet the standards of the EU’s Agency for Quality of Higher Education (AQHE).
Beyond higher education in North Macedonia, broader primary school-level reforms are underway through World Bank–supported initiatives. For example, 20 schools are piloting the Whole Day Schooling model (WDS) to enrich the learning environment by extending the school day and offering more comprehensive student services. This reform is part of efforts to modernize the foundation feeding into secondary and higher education and to create more prepared students for the future.
The Future
Taken together, these reforms reflect a coordinated push to upgrade structures in pursuit of a more responsive, higher-quality education system. By strengthening pedagogical standards and teaching methods, universities can improve learning outcomes and make themselves more attractive to students considering education abroad. These reforms place higher education in North Macedonia on the path to improvement and are working to draw the currently drifting student populace back to its borders.
– Nikola Stojkovic
Photo: Flickr
Azerbaijan’s Poverty Rate: Progress and Challenges
This article examines how Azerbaijan’s Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021–2025) shapes poverty reduction and identifies the steps needed to achieve lasting progress.
Poverty Trends in Azerbaijan
Over the past two decades, Azerbaijan has made significant progress in reducing poverty. In 2001, nearly half of the population lived below the national poverty line, according to the State Statistical Committee. By 2023, the Asian Development Bank estimated that only 5.2% of the population lived below the poverty threshold. Economic growth, social protection reforms and targeted poverty alleviation programs have driven progress.
Azerbaijan’s poverty rate indicates that, despite overall improvements, poverty disproportionately affects certain groups more than others. Rural areas, internally displaced persons, children from large households and individuals with disabilities continue to experience higher rates of poverty.
Social Protection and Reform Initiatives
The government implemented the DOST Agency to support its SDGs. The government expanded pensions to cover a broader range of groups, including families of martyrs, persons with disabilities, women with more than five children and low-income households, marking the fifth social reform package implemented since 2018. These programs aim to reduce Azerbaijan’s poverty rate.
Persistent Challenges
Azerbaijan’s economy remains highly dependent on oil and gas exports, leaving it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and energy transitions. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that, although growth in the non-oil sector is increasing, the economy remains heavily dependent on hydrocarbons. Inflation rose to 4.9% in December 2024, partly due to price adjustments in energy, transportation and utilities.
Key social and economic challenges include limited income-generating opportunities for women, youth and smallholder farmers and unequal access to essential public services in health, education and social protection.
Looking Toward 2030 Goals
Azerbaijan is advancing toward the U.N.’s 2030 SDGs. The government has prioritized all 17 SDGs, 88 targets and 119 indicators, coordinating progress through the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development. Voluntary National Reviews and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) have highlighted private sector engagement, social protection and inclusive education achievements.
The UNSDCF emphasizes people-centered policies and economic diversification beyond the hydrocarbon sector. Addressing these priorities aims to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda and mitigate the risk that marginalized populations are left behind. These coordinated efforts aim to reduce Azerbaijan’s poverty rate, ensuring economic growth benefits all population segments.
– Isaac Nelson
Photo: Flickr