Many still remember Bosnia and Herzegovina as the site of violent conflict during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s. Today, however, the country ranks as an upper-middle-income economy and continues to slowly make its way towards European integration. Despite this progress, Bosnia and Herzegovina still faces significant structural economic challenges. Around 16.9% of the population lives below the poverty line, and foreign direct investment (FDI) has declined since 2023. The economy still relies heavily on traditional sectors such as manufacturing, as well as remittances from its large diaspora. At the same time, the country is developing several emerging sectors. Since 2022, EU-backed programs have supported tourism, entrepreneurship and job creation to move toward poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the age of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, these sectors offer new opportunities for economic growth and diversification.
Who Does Poverty Most Affect?
The Borgen Project spoke with Amina Hadžić, Youth Advisor to the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She explains that “unemployed individuals, particularly young people entering the labor market for the first time, as well as pensioners who often survive on very low monthly incomes” face the highest risk of poverty. She also highlights that “rural populations are highly exposed to economic hardship due to limited employment opportunities and weaker infrastructure compared to urban area.” Other vulnerable groups include single-parent households, people with disabilities and Roma populations.
These inequalities reflect strong rural – urban disparities. Around 19% of people living in rural areas experience poverty, compared to just 9% in urban areas. Children in rural regions also face higher levels of deprivation, particularly in access to early childhood education, internet and basic sanitation.
Weak infrastructure drives a lot of this inequality. In many rural areas, communities lack reliable access to essential services; some households still transport water using tractors or horse carts because they cannot access stable water supply and sanitation systems. These conditions directly impact quality of life and restrict economic opportunities.
At the same time, structural challenges in the labor market worsen poverty. While the overall unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at around 12.6%, youth unemployment exceeds 28% in 2025. Informal employment accounts for more than 23% of total employment, leaving many workers without stable income or social protection.
Systemic issues, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s fragmented governance structure and unequal access to social services, reinforce these challenges and prevent many people from accessing economic opportunities and public services.
With nearly half of the country’s population living in rural areas, these conditions clearly show that the government must advance innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This means expanding infrastructure, especially water, sanitation, education, transport and digital connectivity, to reduce poverty and drive long-term development.
Infrastructure as a Foundation for Development
International organizations and local authorities have started to address infrastructure gaps between rural and urban communities. In rural areas, limited access to water remains a major issue. Projects financed through the Western Balkans Investment Framework and the European Investment Bank now expand water and sanitation systems. For instance, a €2.1 million grant supports the construction of wastewater and water systems, bringing reliable services to 93,000 people.
These investments already deliver results. In the village of Gajevi near Šamac, workers built an 18-kilometer water network that now provides 146 households with stable access to drinking water for the first time. Residents no longer struggle with chronic shortages and unsafe conditions.
Transport infrastructure also plays a key role in reducing regional isolation. The World Bank supported the construction of the 36-kilometer Neum – Stolac road, which opened in 2022. The new route reduced travel time from 90 minutes to just 25. Improved connectivity between the country’s only coastal municipality and inland town now supports tourism in Neum and creates new opportunities for businesses and agriculture in Stolac. As one local hotel owner noted, the road “opens up a million possibilities.”
These projects show how infrastructure investment can improve daily life while unlocking economic potential.
Digital Innovation and Civic Participation
Beyond physical infrastructure, the digital and IT sector is emerging as one of the key innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As Amina Hadžić emphasizes, “digital innovation and the development of the IT sector represent one of the most promising opportunities for economic growth and youth employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
International partnerships have accelerated this transformation. In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Digital Europe Programme, which allows the country to participate in EU-wide projects focused on artificial intelligence and advanced digital skills. The programme also supports the creation of Digital Innovation Hubs, which help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthen their digital capacities and integrate into the European digital economy.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts have improved digital skills, raising the share of individuals with above-basic digital skills by 6.8% .
More broadly, these initiatives expand access to entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly for young people. Training programs in coding, digital marketing and software development create new employment opportunities that do not depend on local labor market constraints.
Digital tools also improve access to public services and civic participation. The UNDP has supported platforms such as eCitizen, which allows residents to communicate directly with local authorities and access services more efficiently. Similarly, the eNewborn (ePorodilja) system simplifies access to social benefits for new parents, while Digital Pulse helps small businesses evaluate and improve their digital readiness. These tools increase transparency, strengthen public services, and encourage citizen engagement. Platforms such as YourCO2 (TvojCO2.ba) also promote climate action by connecting individual behavior to environmental impact.
Towards Inclusive Growth
Bosnia and Herzegovina still faces deep structural challenges, but recent developments show how infrastructure investment and digital innovation can reduce poverty. New water systems, roads, and public services improve living conditions and reduce regional inequalities, especially in rural areas. At the same time, digital tools expand access to employment, education and civic participation.
However, digital innovation alone cannot solve these challenges. Without reliable infrastructure, education and inclusive policies, many people will remain excluded from these opportunities. Bosnia must therefore invest in both physical and digital systems to ensure that development reaches all communities.
As the country continues its path toward European integration, it must combine infrastructure development with digital transformation. Together, these approaches can drive innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina, promote inclusive growth and build a more resilient and equitable future.
– Inès Maudire
Inès is based in Paris, France and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Who Does Poverty Most Affect?
The Borgen Project spoke with Amina Hadžić, Youth Advisor to the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She explains that “unemployed individuals, particularly young people entering the labor market for the first time, as well as pensioners who often survive on very low monthly incomes” face the highest risk of poverty. She also highlights that “rural populations are highly exposed to economic hardship due to limited employment opportunities and weaker infrastructure compared to urban area.” Other vulnerable groups include single-parent households, people with disabilities and Roma populations.
These inequalities reflect strong rural – urban disparities. Around 19% of people living in rural areas experience poverty, compared to just 9% in urban areas. Children in rural regions also face higher levels of deprivation, particularly in access to early childhood education, internet and basic sanitation.
Weak infrastructure drives a lot of this inequality. In many rural areas, communities lack reliable access to essential services; some households still transport water using tractors or horse carts because they cannot access stable water supply and sanitation systems. These conditions directly impact quality of life and restrict economic opportunities.
At the same time, structural challenges in the labor market worsen poverty. While the overall unemployment rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at around 12.6%, youth unemployment exceeds 28% in 2025. Informal employment accounts for more than 23% of total employment, leaving many workers without stable income or social protection.
Systemic issues, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s fragmented governance structure and unequal access to social services, reinforce these challenges and prevent many people from accessing economic opportunities and public services.
With nearly half of the country’s population living in rural areas, these conditions clearly show that the government must advance innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This means expanding infrastructure, especially water, sanitation, education, transport and digital connectivity, to reduce poverty and drive long-term development.
Infrastructure as a Foundation for Development
International organizations and local authorities have started to address infrastructure gaps between rural and urban communities. In rural areas, limited access to water remains a major issue. Projects financed through the Western Balkans Investment Framework and the European Investment Bank now expand water and sanitation systems. For instance, a €2.1 million grant supports the construction of wastewater and water systems, bringing reliable services to 93,000 people.
These investments already deliver results. In the village of Gajevi near Šamac, workers built an 18-kilometer water network that now provides 146 households with stable access to drinking water for the first time. Residents no longer struggle with chronic shortages and unsafe conditions.
Transport infrastructure also plays a key role in reducing regional isolation. The World Bank supported the construction of the 36-kilometer Neum – Stolac road, which opened in 2022. The new route reduced travel time from 90 minutes to just 25. Improved connectivity between the country’s only coastal municipality and inland town now supports tourism in Neum and creates new opportunities for businesses and agriculture in Stolac. As one local hotel owner noted, the road “opens up a million possibilities.”
These projects show how infrastructure investment can improve daily life while unlocking economic potential.
Digital Innovation and Civic Participation
Beyond physical infrastructure, the digital and IT sector is emerging as one of the key innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As Amina Hadžić emphasizes, “digital innovation and the development of the IT sector represent one of the most promising opportunities for economic growth and youth employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
International partnerships have accelerated this transformation. In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Digital Europe Programme, which allows the country to participate in EU-wide projects focused on artificial intelligence and advanced digital skills. The programme also supports the creation of Digital Innovation Hubs, which help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthen their digital capacities and integrate into the European digital economy.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts have improved digital skills, raising the share of individuals with above-basic digital skills by 6.8% .
More broadly, these initiatives expand access to entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly for young people. Training programs in coding, digital marketing and software development create new employment opportunities that do not depend on local labor market constraints.
Digital tools also improve access to public services and civic participation. The UNDP has supported platforms such as eCitizen, which allows residents to communicate directly with local authorities and access services more efficiently. Similarly, the eNewborn (ePorodilja) system simplifies access to social benefits for new parents, while Digital Pulse helps small businesses evaluate and improve their digital readiness. These tools increase transparency, strengthen public services, and encourage citizen engagement. Platforms such as YourCO2 (TvojCO2.ba) also promote climate action by connecting individual behavior to environmental impact.
Towards Inclusive Growth
Bosnia and Herzegovina still faces deep structural challenges, but recent developments show how infrastructure investment and digital innovation can reduce poverty. New water systems, roads, and public services improve living conditions and reduce regional inequalities, especially in rural areas. At the same time, digital tools expand access to employment, education and civic participation.
However, digital innovation alone cannot solve these challenges. Without reliable infrastructure, education and inclusive policies, many people will remain excluded from these opportunities. Bosnia must therefore invest in both physical and digital systems to ensure that development reaches all communities.
As the country continues its path toward European integration, it must combine infrastructure development with digital transformation. Together, these approaches can drive innovations in poverty eradication in Bosnia and Herzegovina, promote inclusive growth and build a more resilient and equitable future.
– Inès Maudire
Photo: Flickr
Poverty in Micronesia: Infrastructure Gaps and Inequity
Infrastructure Gaps and Poverty in Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) faces significant challenges that contribute to poverty and economic inequality across its island communities. This isolated country consists of more than 600 islands, many of which are remote and difficult to connect to through transportation and communication systems. Geographic isolation and underdeveloped infrastructure are considered major barriers to long-term economic growth and private sector development in Micronesia.
These limitations also increase the cost of transporting goods between islands, raising living costs for residents and slowing economic development, which further contributes to poverty in Micronesia. As a result, improving infrastructure has become a key strategy for reducing poverty and strengthening economic opportunities in the country.
Transportation and Connectivity Challenges
Micronesia also faces significant transportation and connectivity challenges due to its geography as a nation of widely dispersed islands across the Pacific Ocean. Limited shipping routes, small ports and infrequent air services make it difficult to move goods and people efficiently between islands. These transportation barriers increase the cost of importing food, fuel and other essential goods, contributing to higher living costs for many residents.
In addition, limited telecommunications and internet infrastructure restrict access to education, business opportunities and digital services, particularly in remote outer islands. Geographic isolation also contributes to economic disparities between the FSM and other Pacific island economies and high transportation costs further reinforce poverty in Micronesia by increasing the price of essential goods.
According to the Asian Development Bank, economic growth in Micronesia is projected to remain relatively low at around 1.1% in 2026. This is significantly lower than tourism-driven economies like the Cook Islands and Palau, which are expected to grow by 2.5% and 3.9% in 2026, respectively. These differences highlight the economic challenges faced by geographically isolated island states with limited infrastructure and smaller private sectors.
National and International Initiatives
The government of the FSM has implemented several national initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and reducing economic inequality between islands. The Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) is designed to guide investments in sectors such as electricity, water systems, roads, maritime transport, air transportation and telecommunications to support national development. The plan prioritizes projects that strengthen connectivity, improve public services and support economic growth across the country’s four states.
In addition, the Micronesia National Energy Policy provides a strategic framework for expanding reliable and affordable energy access, while promoting renewable energy development and improved energy infrastructure. This policy helps to expand electricity access and modernize energy systems, making it a key step in improving living standards and economic opportunities for communities across Micronesia.
Beyond national efforts, development organizations such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank fund projects aimed at improving transportation networks, water and sanitation systems and energy infrastructure across the FSM. These initiatives support infrastructure expansion and improved connectivity between islands, helping strengthen economic opportunities and access to essential services. In addition, the U.S. provides significant financial assistance through the Compact of Free Association, first established in 1986 and renewed in 2024 for another 20 years.
The updated agreements provide approximately $3.3 billion in economic assistance to the FSM through 2043, supporting public services, infrastructure development and economic stability across the country.
Final Thoughts
Reducing poverty in Micronesia requires addressing the infrastructure and connectivity challenges that isolate many island communities. Strengthening transportation, energy systems and digital access can help expand economic opportunities and improve access to essential services. Continued collaboration between the Micronesian government and international partners such as the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the U.S. will be essential to supporting long-term development and reducing inequality across the country.
– Yuhan Rong
Photo: Flickr
DRC Cobalt Reform and Community Justice
The DRC is rich in natural resources, supplying more than 70% of the world’s cobalt, which is classified as a “critical mineral” by the United States, the European Union (EU) and other governments. Yet 74% of Congolese citizens live in poverty. Around 150,000 artisanal miners work in hazardous conditions, with cooperatives, often controlled by politicians, taking up to half of their earnings.
Additionally, an estimated 40,000 children work in these mines. Communities living above cobalt reserves remain among the world’s most energy-poor, highlighting the urgent need for cobalt reform in the DRC. With fair revenue sharing, stronger environmental protections and targeted funding, the global clean energy transition can be built on more just foundations.
A Nation Rich in Resources, Poor in Opportunity
Cobalt is a critical material for lithium-ion batteries, aerospace alloys and renewable energy systems. It plays a central role in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution and defense applications, making it one of the most strategically important minerals today. The DRC dominates global supply, holding about 60% of known reserves and producing 271,300 tonnes in 2024.
However, artisanal and small-scale mining accounts for 15–30% of the country’s cobalt output, often involving hazardous conditions, child labor and environmental harm. Cobalt reform in the DRC is vital to protect Congolese lives. Companies such as Ford and Tesla are using blockchain technology to trace cobalt through supply chains.
However, only 20% of industrial mines in the DRC currently meet international labor standards. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are also being deployed to improve mine safety and efficiency. In recycling, companies such as Redwood Materials have developed methods to recover up to 95% of cobalt from used EV batteries. Additionally, the EU now mandates a 70% cobalt recovery rate by 2030.
Human Cost of the Cobalt Supply Chain
A report from the University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab, published in August 2025, exposes the scale of forced labor and exploitation in the DRC’s cobalt mining sector. The research surveyed 1,431 artisanal miners across two provinces: 36.8% were in forced labor, 9.2% in child labor and 6.5% in debt bondage. Additionally, 87.8% entered mining because they had no other means of survival and 70% said they would quit if they could.
Average daily earnings were just $3.28, with women earning significantly less ($1.84) than men ($3.52). None had written work agreements and no trade unions existed for them to join. The report notes that, despite these conditions, tech and EV companies continue to market their DRC cobalt supply chains as fully audited and human-rights compliant.
The report’s key recommendation is an independent due diligence initiative led by Congolese academics, civil society and mining communities to properly hold the industry to account.
Breaking the Cycle: New Paths Forward in the DRC Cobalt Reform
In the DRC’s second-largest city, Lubumbashi, young people like Patricia Kayombo are breaking free from the cycle of dangerous artisanal cobalt mining. Kayombo, an apprentice mechanic, used to live in a household where everyone worked the mines, suffering from dust-related health problems, with no other option. Now, Kayombo is training to become an auto mechanic and “dreams of furthering her skills and one day becoming a trainer to teach other girls.”
The African Development Bank’s PABEA-COBALT project ($82 million) is driving this change, with two main goals: returning children to school and retraining young miners and their parents in agribusiness and vocational trades. The program has returned more than 13,500 children to school, retrained 8,200 young workers and helped more than 10,500 parents start new livelihoods in agriculture. With investment and viable alternatives, Congolese youth can find dignity and opportunity far from the mine pits.
From Raw Ore to Economic Sovereignty
The DRC lifted its seven-month export ban, in place since February 2025 and replaced it with a quota system starting on October 16, 2025. The quotas cap exports at roughly 96,600 tons for 2026 and 2027. This is well below the approximately 204,000 tons mined in 2024 and will be adjusted quarterly based on market conditions.
The original ban was introduced to address a global supply glut that had been pushing cobalt prices down since 2022. The DRC aims to process more cobalt domestically rather than export it as raw ore and is actively partnering with both Western and Chinese investors. These moves reflect the DRC’s attempt to convert its vast mineral wealth into greater economic leverage amid intensifying geopolitical competition over critical minerals.
With greater economic sovereignty, the DRC may finally be seen as a respected partner, which, in turn, could save the lives currently at risk in the country.
Final Remarks
The DRC remains at the intersection of geopolitical ambition and human suffering. Its cobalt is integral to the clean energy transition, yet the communities extracting it remain among the world’s most impoverished. The tools for cobalt reform in the DRC exist: fairer contracts, domestic processing, independent oversight and investment in alternatives. But they require Western and Chinese partners to treat the DRC as a sovereign stakeholder rather than merely a supplier.
– Anisa Begum
Photo: Flickr
Helping Coffee Farmers Out of Poverty in Peru
Poverty in Peru increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, following several years of decline. Providing farmers in rural communities with fair wages and proper tools helps them escape poverty. Here are three companies helping Peruvian coffee farmers break the cycle of poverty:
Café Femenino
Café Femenino is a coffee brand founded in 2004 by Isabel Uriarte and her husband, Victor Rojas. It began with more than 450 female farmers in northern Peru who sought to gain the same benefits men received from the coffee industry. Uriarte launched the initiative by traveling to impoverished villages to speak with women about their rights.
Uriarte hosted workshops and attendance steadily grew as more women joined. Some meetings also included men to help break down barriers surrounding traditional gender roles in these communities. Following these early workshops and conversations with impoverished women, Uriarte formally established Café Femenino.
Café Femenino requires participating farms to grant women farmers legal rights to farmland, leadership positions, financial and business decision-making power and direct payment for their coffee. Through these efforts, more coffee farms have been transferred to women, helping lift them out of poverty and strengthening their communities.
As a result, roads have been built, women have created more sanitary homes and families have gained better access to food. The company is helping reduce poverty in Peru, particularly in rural communities, by providing greater job security. Café Femenino now operates in several countries, including Colombia, Bolivia and Rwanda, fostering economic empowerment for women farmers.
Cedros Café
Cedros Café is a coffee cooperative founded in 2013 that supports small-scale farmers in the Cajamarca region of Peru. Poverty rates in this region remain high because many farmers do not receive adequate payment for their crops. Cedros Café pays its farmers about 30% more than the average market price for coffee.
The cooperative also provides farmers with training in business management, financial literacy and other professional skills. Because many of its farmers are women, Cedros Café equips them with additional skills to diversify their income. The cooperative also helps farmers obtain Fair Trade certification, which recognizes producers who follow sustainable practices and ensure fair treatment of workers. Today, Cedros Café works with 328 small farmers, helping reduce poverty in Peru.
Café Compadre
Café Compadre began when two of its founders created a solar-powered coffee roaster to help remote farmers roast their own beans, which sell for higher prices in the market. The founders soon realized that the roaster alone would not be enough to stabilize coffee farmers’ livelihoods. Because many of these farmers were located in remote areas of Peru, they lacked access to Lima’s coffee consumers.
In response, the founders established the Café Compadre coffee brand in 2014. The company now works with small, local coffee farmers to ensure they receive fair compensation for their work. Café Compadre pays farmers more than 30% above the market price for coffee.
The company focuses on sustainable farming practices that also protect the environment. Purchasing coffee from Café Compadre supports farmers, promotes environmental sustainability and provides the high-quality coffee consumers seek. These principles form the company’s three core pillars.
Conclusion
These three coffee companies are working to support impoverished coffee farmers in rural communities across Peru. By providing innovative tools, training and prices up to 30% higher than the market average, they are helping farmers build more stable livelihoods.
– Kaitlyn Crane
Photo: Flickr
The Durban Promise for African Health Sovereignty
The Need for African Health Sovereignty
Africa currently imports about 70% of its medicines, 90% of its medical devices, and 99% of its vaccines. This drives up costs and limits medical treatment accessibility for many Africans. Adding more urgency to the situation, global health funding in Africa has declined 70% since 2021. Significant cuts to the USAID and reduced contributions from European donors seemed to make universal health care coverage (UHC) for Africa even less attainable.
However, African leaders anticipated the reductions and were actively seeking alternative sources of health care subsidies. As a result, China pledged $50 billion to support Africa’s health care program, funding that has accelerated the building of hospitals and clinics. Indeed, with significant financing, the Durban Promise is on the way to becoming a reality, bringing universal health care coverage within reach.
The Road to UHC
African governments have been working towards universal health care coverage for more than 20 years, but have faced significant obstacles. The Abuja Declaration of 2021 asserted that 15% of African national budgets should be allocated for health care, though many African countries still spend less than half that amount in the medical arena.
In 2023, African leaders signed The Lusaka Agenda, compelling governments to meet Abuja obligations and to implement actions that would lower the cost of medicine. However, this agenda was not fully successful due to challenges with domestic financing. With minimal results from these initial affirmations, in October 2025, African governments signed The Durban Promise, a roadmap for African health sovereignty and security that suggests an innovative medical financing structure to move Africa’s health care goals forward.
The 2025 G20 Summit
The annual G20 summit, which the African Union joined in 2023, brings together developed and emerging economies to address urgent global issues. The 2025 summit, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, marked the first time the assembly met on African terrain. The agenda from the South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa discussed the challenges of developing nations, which include the pressing issue of health insecurity. Ramaphosa’s compelling arguments led to increased funding from the World Health Organization and a Global Health Security Pact for equitable vaccines and sharing of data during global health emergencies. The pact further addresses African health security and the goals of the Durban Promise.
The Presidential Declaration
At the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2026, countries made the commitment of the Durban Promise, according to AfricaCDC. The Presidential Declaration on Advancing Local Manufacturing of Health Products in Africa was issued with the objective that the African continent will produce 60% of medical products internally by 2040. The declaration includes two key strategies led by the African Center for Disease Control (CDC) focusing on securing the goal of health autonomy: The Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM) and The African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM).
By creating a single health product market, the PHAHM will help align regulatory and manufacturing policies across the African Union. The APPM could enable African countries to leverage their joint bargaining power to make the market more predictable and desirable for suppliers, leading to supply security. Together, these approaches can help African health care to thrive.
Outlook for African Medical Sovereignty
There is much to do in order to achieve the goal of producing 60% of medical products on the African continent in less than 15 years. As daunting a task as it may be, with a thoughtful, well-executed plan and targeted efforts, the result can be a robust health program that will contribute to regional income and poverty reduction as articulated in The Durban Promise.
– Debbie Barto
Photo: Flickr
Graduation Programs in Developing Countries
For this reason, foreign aid in the form of transfers of cash or goods, while extremely useful in combating global poverty, might not always provide a comprehensive enough approach to ensure that as many people as possible are reached with long-term sustainability in mind.
Graduation Programs as a Solution
A solution exists in the form of graduation programs, defined by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) as programs that provide people living in extreme poverty not just cash assistance, but also business assets and vocational training so that they may have the chance to build financial independence and break existing cycles of poverty.
Graduation programs, according to J-PAL, were first pioneered by a nongovernmental organization (NGO) named BRAC in 2002. They are reported to yield positive societal outcomes after one to two years of funding and have been implemented in at least 20 countries.
How the Approach Works
As previously mentioned, the approach starts with providing business assets, such as livestock and supplies for trade, followed by skills training to manage those assets and consumption support. J-PAL states that consumption support consists of regular cash or food assistance for several months to one year.
These programs also provide recipients with access to savings accounts and health support in the form of health education, health care access and life skills training. To ensure participant success, frequent home visits are conducted by staff members to provide accountability and needed coaching.
The name “graduation program” is derived from the idea of “graduating” from dependence on foreign assistance within one to two years and transitioning toward financial self-reliance.
Evidence and Measured Returns
J-PAL shares empirical data showing that long-term returns generated by the graduation program approach can outweigh short-term costs. Studies measuring outcomes 18 months to three years after graduation indicate that beneficiaries saw income growth ranging from 7% to 65%, while consumption increased between 11% and 30%.
Additionally, Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) reported results from a 2015 study consisting of randomized evaluations in six countries where graduation programs were implemented. The evaluations followed 21,000 people across Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, India, Pakistan and Peru over three years:
Looking Ahead
In summation, data collected in countries where graduation programs in developing countries have been utilized demonstrate positive effects in providing more sustainable pathways to financial independence for households living in extreme poverty. The reported returns on investment also present a financial case for continued funding of graduation programs in developing countries within broader global poverty reduction efforts.
– Luca Hanlon
Photo: Flickr
ANTA – How a sportswear company combined Sports and Poverty
About ANTA
ANTA is a sportswear company, founded in 1991 by Chinese entrepreneur Ding Shizhong in Fujian, China. Although this company started as a small regional sportswear maker, ANTA has grown and become one of the largest and most important sportswear companies in the world. As of 2024, ANTA is the largest sportswear company in China and the third largest in the world, with a reported revenue of $9.8 billion in 2024. With more than “13,000 stores across all its brands and [employing] about 65,500 employees,” ANTA has worked to expand beyond China and have an impact worldwide.
Combining Sports and Poverty
Beyond their revenue and their growth, ANTA is a company that focuses on “contributing to global humanitarian assistance,” as Lai Shixian, Executive Director and Co-CEO, stated. With this mission in mind, ANTA entered an official partnership with UNHCR in 2023 to reach 300,000 displaced children worldwide. Over the last two years, ANTA provided $1.5 million in financial support and 1.2 million pieces of sporting apparel and equipment to displaced youth,” to children in Burundi, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
The Impacts
ANTA’s contributions to UNHCR and global humanitarian assistance have been fundamental to assisting children who have been forcibly displaced across the globe, especially in Africa. Private partnerships similar to this one facilitate international organizations to provide humanitarian assistance and relieve poverty. ANTA’s partnerships has allowed the UNHCR to maintain “refugee classrooms open during crisis by funding teachers and providing learning materials,” giving children the opportunity to access education and succeed in the future. Furthermore, Vice President of ANTA, Christina Li, emphasized how sports can be used as a tool to foster “inclusion and resilience,” creating hope for children and families experiencing displacement.
As the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace approaches, it is important to analyze how sports and poverty can go hand-in-hand. As sportswear companies continue to grow and develop, they can continue to contribute to global humanitarian assistance and change the lives of thousands of individuals, similar to Anta’s partnership with UNHCR.
– Rodrigo Salgado
Photo: Flickr
ADRA Mongolia: Protecting Vulnerable Communities
The Mission
For 32 years, ADRA Mongolia’s mission has been to support Mongolia’s most vulnerable communities, particularly rural nomadic populations living in ecologically dangerous regions. To better support Mongolia’s poorest communities and their varied needs, the charity divided its mission into five categories: health, livelihood, agriculture, emergency and outreach.
Protecting Vulnerable Communities
Looking Ahead
ADRA Mongolia differs from many religious charities because it serves people regardless of background or religion. The success of ADRA Mongolia in protecting vulnerable communities demonstrates the impact of multi-layered approaches to poverty reduction and disaster preparedness, supporting thousands of households facing economic and environmental challenges.
– Eli Thomson
Photo: Flickr
Renewable Energy in Equatorial Guinea
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
In 2023, the Equatorial Guinean government announced a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by the year 2030. The government can only achieve this endeavor through further investment into renewable energies. An expansion in further hydropower projects could not only work towards this goal, but also provide stable employment for many citizens. The construction of the Dijibloho Dam from 2008 to 2012 demonstrates the potential benefits of hydropower investment, evidenced by the rapid growth in renewable energy generation in the years after the dam became operational. In 2011, Equatorial Guinea consumed only 4% of its energy through hydropower yet in 2015, the third year with the Dijibloho Dam running, this percentage jumped to 33%.
Hydropower Expansion
Building on its recent hydropower investments, the government of Equatorial Guinea is expanding efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy production through the construction of the Sendje hydro project. This dam, with plans brewing since 2020, is ongoing and entirely funded by the Equatorial Guinean government. The new project is planned to attain a capacity of 200 MW, which would far eclipse the 120 MW capacity of the Dijibloho Dam. Therefore, when this Sendje hydro project reaches completion, the country’s energy consumption can begin to transfer towards a higher dependence on hydropower than that of fossil fuels.
The Beneficial Effects of Relying on Hydropower
Large projects like the Sendje dam represent the impact that investment in renewable energy in Equatorial Guinea can have on a community at large. Those living near the dam have the opportunity to attain a sustainable job not just through the construction of the plant, but also its maintenance and operation. The creation of new jobs remains the most powerful tool for reducing poverty by providing income as well as social identity. Equatorial Guinea’s President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, acknowledges this and plans to continue investing in the natural resources of the country to support the nation’s burgeoning non-oil sectors.
Reliable energy can also play a significant role in reducing poverty among local residents who the project did not directly employ. Approximately 18% of households in Equatorial Guinea still lack access to electricity, with higher percentages in rural areas. Projects like the Sendje Dam are particularly beneficial for these communities, providing access to reliable electricity that can be produced more sustainably and often at lower long-term cost than fossil fuel based energy.
Looking Ahead
Renewable energy is abundant in Equatorial Guinea. Through the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in projects like the Sendje dam, the country can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and expand access to electricity. These developments both help to address poverty in rural communities and protect the rich natural environment. Continued investment in renewable energy therefore has the potential to support both economic development and environmental preservation across the country.
– Zaccheri Morra
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
3 Ways 5G Could Reduce Poverty in Ghana
The 5G network is expected to improve mobile internet speeds significantly and support emerging technologies such as advanced digital intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI). Existing industries, including agriculture, health care and education, are also expected to benefit. By expanding access to critical services and resources, the 5G rollout is expected to gradually ease poverty in Ghana over the coming years.
Here are three ways 5G could reduce poverty in Ghana.
Precision Farming and Agriculture
Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, director-general of Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA), spoke in March 2026 about the new 5G network’s capacity to develop the agricultural industry:
“For 5G, there are use cases for industries. We expect deployments… in agriculture. Services that are not possible today will become possible because of the speeds and high capacity that 5G will deliver.”
5G’s capability to assist agriculture stems from its ability to deliver large quantities of sensor data at high speeds. Farmers will be able to track weather conditions and crop health from Internet of Things (IoT) remote sensors. High-resolution images assessing the condition of fields and crops will be easier to receive.
With 5G, farmers are set to be more resilient to climate change and other volatilities, increasing the stability of Ghana’s internal crop and livestock markets. Food may therefore become cheaper and more accessible, helping rural communities that have typically been vulnerable to famine.
Telemedicine and Health Care
As in agriculture, 5G’s capacity to transfer large quantities of data quickly will have effects on Ghana’s health care system. Health care access in Ghana has traditionally been concentrated in urban areas, including Greater Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi, in which 81% of the population has access to primary health care.
However, despite the relatively high rate of primary health care access, 30% of the population must travel far to receive primary health care. In rural and remote areas, quality health care access is far rarer and has been a persistent challenge through shortages of essential medical equipment and supplies, inadequate health care infrastructure and long distances to services.
Through 5G, existing software and digital intelligence will improve, allowing health care professionals to see more patients with greater efficiency. In rural areas, rather than traveling, patients will have access to live remote consultations. High bandwidth, reaching up to 10 Gbps, enhances the quality of telehealth services by allowing the transmission of large medical files and high-definition video.
Role of Education
Education is a critical process in the alleviation of poverty. Ghana’s rural communities have traditionally been affected by unequal education access, falling behind urban areas in both the quality and provision of education.
Although there remain some issues related to the distribution of device access, 5G has the potential to benefit education systems in rural, impoverished areas. 5G will permit real-time video conferencing and collaborative online tools, ensuring that students can access quality education regardless of the remoteness of their location.
Looking Ahead
Through its capacity to process, send and receive data quickly, 5G is set to have an impact on the agriculture, health care and education sectors in Ghana. Rural and remote communities that have typically been excluded from development may gain greater access to critical services, supporting long-term efforts to reduce poverty in Ghana.
– Arthur Horsey
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