Millions of families in Southeast Asia reside in areas where pollution and poverty coexist. Plastic waste is not only an eyesore but also a daily risk in areas with poor waste collection and significant unemployment. However, the region is demonstrating that the same plastic pollution that causes environmental degradation may also serve as a vehicle for community development and financial security.
Today, Southeast Asia’s recycling revolution is gaining momentum, with creative recycling initiatives in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines demonstrating that poverty reduction and environmental action can truly coexist.
A Crisis That Hits Low-Income Communities Hardest
Southeast Asia is facing an enormous and growing plastic problem. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ASEAN + East Asia region consumed 152 million tons of plastic in 2022, nearly nine times more than in 1990. More than 56% of plastic waste is improperly managed due to inadequate waste management systems; it is frequently burned or disposed of in waterways near low-income areas.
The OECD predicts that the region’s plastic leakage might rise by 68% by 2050 if serious action is not taken. This situation is already more than just an environmental problem for families living near unofficial dumpsites or those who rely on waste picking for a living; it’s a public health and poverty issue.
Vietnam: Recycling as a Path to Livelihoods
One of the best examples of how community-led recycling may improve life in the region is Vietnam’s Greenhub initiative. The organization trained more than 33,000 people in recycling, waste reduction and community cleanups in 2024. It gathered 143,000 kg of garbage, which would otherwise clog drainage systems during floods or contaminate coastlines.
Cleaner surroundings are just one of the many advantages. Four hundred thirty informal waste collectors received training from Greenhub in 2022, enabling them to sort waste more effectively, earn a higher income and work safely. Improvements in this area have the potential to significantly reduce poverty because Vietnam’s informal waste sector is massive, with 10,000 to 16,000 workers sorting and collecting waste every day in just Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The expanding circular economy movement in Vietnam is also making room for businesspeople who repurpose plastic trash into home goods, crafts and building materials. In both rural and urban areas, these microbusinesses provide new revenue streams and jobs.
Indonesia: Cooperatives Boost Stability for Waste Pickers
Indonesia has some of the highest rates of improper garbage management in the world. The issue is both geographical and financial, due to the thousands of islands and inadequate infrastructure for waste collection. According to OECD estimates, if no changes are made, Indonesia’s plastic waste is projected to increase from 6.5 million tonnes in 2022 to 18 million tonnes by 2050.
The core of Indonesia’s recycling system consists of informal waste pickers, many of whom earn significantly less than the minimum wage. They gather significantly more recyclables than formal and governmental systems put together. However, despite its significance, many people lack a steady source of income, adequate safety equipment or social safety nets.
Cooperative recycling centers are emerging to fill that gap. By organizing waste pickers into formal groups, these centers help workers secure fairer pricing, gain access to equipment and work in safer conditions. Some cooperatives report that members have doubled their income or, for the first time, achieved steady monthly profits.
However, there are still difficulties. Indonesia received 262,900 tons of plastic waste in 2024 and investigations revealed that some discarded plastics were being burned as inexpensive fuel in small-scale operations. This underscores the critical need for safe and sustainable recycling methods that protect people in need.
The Philippines: When Recycling Puts Food on the Table
The Philippines produces 2.7 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with the majority of this waste coming from single-use sachets used for products such as condiments and shampoos. However, local organizations are coming up with innovative ways to transform waste into opportunity. A “trash-for-rice” program in Mabini, Batangas, collected 4.3 tonnes of plastic and provided low-income residents with 2.6 tonnes of rice in return.
Other programs, such as TrashCashPH, utilize mobile apps to offer individuals cash, groceries or service discounts when they bring in sorted recyclables. Meanwhile, refill systems allow customers to purchase things at a reasonable price without producing additional plastic. Cash-strapped homes benefit greatly from Greenpeace’s “Kuha sa Tingi” refill trial, which helped eliminate 50,000 plastic sachets and saved consumers an average of 201% compared to regular sachet purchases.
Economic and Environmental Wins
These initiatives demonstrate that reducing plastic pollution can have immediate, tangible effects. As part of the growing Southeast Asia recycling revolution, some of the most impoverished families in the region can earn more steady incomes through waste cooperatives and recycling incentives. By enhancing workplace safety, stability and dignity, training and protective regulations help empower informal workers, many of whom are women.
By 2030, recycling improperly disposed of plastic garbage in South and Southeast Asia could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 200 million tons. The reductions show how regional waste management strategies can significantly advance global climate goals. Everyone lives in safer environments when streets, rivers and coastal areas are cleaner.
Communities experience fewer floods, reduced health risks and improved public health overall when waste that blocks drains and waterways is minimized, particularly in low-income districts that are typically the most severely impacted.
A Blueprint for Change
According to OECD estimates, plastic leakage in Southeast Asia could be reduced by 95% by 2050 with robust policies, including increased producer accountability, improved collection systems and investment in recycling. However, communities are some of the most potent forces behind Southeast Asia’s recycling changes, not the government.
Recycling has evolved from an environmental initiative in Southeast Asia into a driving force behind Southeast Asia’s recycling revolution. It serves as both a source of local empowerment and an economic lifeline. One bottle, sachet or piece of plastic at a time, these “trash to treasure” examples demonstrate how communities may create safer, cleaner and more prosperous futures with the proper support.
– Katelyn Leano
Katelyn is based in Plainfield, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Pixabay
From Trash to Treasure: Southeast Asia’s Recycling Revolution
Today, Southeast Asia’s recycling revolution is gaining momentum, with creative recycling initiatives in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines demonstrating that poverty reduction and environmental action can truly coexist.
A Crisis That Hits Low-Income Communities Hardest
Southeast Asia is facing an enormous and growing plastic problem. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ASEAN + East Asia region consumed 152 million tons of plastic in 2022, nearly nine times more than in 1990. More than 56% of plastic waste is improperly managed due to inadequate waste management systems; it is frequently burned or disposed of in waterways near low-income areas.
The OECD predicts that the region’s plastic leakage might rise by 68% by 2050 if serious action is not taken. This situation is already more than just an environmental problem for families living near unofficial dumpsites or those who rely on waste picking for a living; it’s a public health and poverty issue.
Vietnam: Recycling as a Path to Livelihoods
One of the best examples of how community-led recycling may improve life in the region is Vietnam’s Greenhub initiative. The organization trained more than 33,000 people in recycling, waste reduction and community cleanups in 2024. It gathered 143,000 kg of garbage, which would otherwise clog drainage systems during floods or contaminate coastlines.
Cleaner surroundings are just one of the many advantages. Four hundred thirty informal waste collectors received training from Greenhub in 2022, enabling them to sort waste more effectively, earn a higher income and work safely. Improvements in this area have the potential to significantly reduce poverty because Vietnam’s informal waste sector is massive, with 10,000 to 16,000 workers sorting and collecting waste every day in just Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The expanding circular economy movement in Vietnam is also making room for businesspeople who repurpose plastic trash into home goods, crafts and building materials. In both rural and urban areas, these microbusinesses provide new revenue streams and jobs.
Indonesia: Cooperatives Boost Stability for Waste Pickers
Indonesia has some of the highest rates of improper garbage management in the world. The issue is both geographical and financial, due to the thousands of islands and inadequate infrastructure for waste collection. According to OECD estimates, if no changes are made, Indonesia’s plastic waste is projected to increase from 6.5 million tonnes in 2022 to 18 million tonnes by 2050.
The core of Indonesia’s recycling system consists of informal waste pickers, many of whom earn significantly less than the minimum wage. They gather significantly more recyclables than formal and governmental systems put together. However, despite its significance, many people lack a steady source of income, adequate safety equipment or social safety nets.
Cooperative recycling centers are emerging to fill that gap. By organizing waste pickers into formal groups, these centers help workers secure fairer pricing, gain access to equipment and work in safer conditions. Some cooperatives report that members have doubled their income or, for the first time, achieved steady monthly profits.
However, there are still difficulties. Indonesia received 262,900 tons of plastic waste in 2024 and investigations revealed that some discarded plastics were being burned as inexpensive fuel in small-scale operations. This underscores the critical need for safe and sustainable recycling methods that protect people in need.
The Philippines: When Recycling Puts Food on the Table
The Philippines produces 2.7 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with the majority of this waste coming from single-use sachets used for products such as condiments and shampoos. However, local organizations are coming up with innovative ways to transform waste into opportunity. A “trash-for-rice” program in Mabini, Batangas, collected 4.3 tonnes of plastic and provided low-income residents with 2.6 tonnes of rice in return.
Other programs, such as TrashCashPH, utilize mobile apps to offer individuals cash, groceries or service discounts when they bring in sorted recyclables. Meanwhile, refill systems allow customers to purchase things at a reasonable price without producing additional plastic. Cash-strapped homes benefit greatly from Greenpeace’s “Kuha sa Tingi” refill trial, which helped eliminate 50,000 plastic sachets and saved consumers an average of 201% compared to regular sachet purchases.
Economic and Environmental Wins
These initiatives demonstrate that reducing plastic pollution can have immediate, tangible effects. As part of the growing Southeast Asia recycling revolution, some of the most impoverished families in the region can earn more steady incomes through waste cooperatives and recycling incentives. By enhancing workplace safety, stability and dignity, training and protective regulations help empower informal workers, many of whom are women.
By 2030, recycling improperly disposed of plastic garbage in South and Southeast Asia could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 200 million tons. The reductions show how regional waste management strategies can significantly advance global climate goals. Everyone lives in safer environments when streets, rivers and coastal areas are cleaner.
Communities experience fewer floods, reduced health risks and improved public health overall when waste that blocks drains and waterways is minimized, particularly in low-income districts that are typically the most severely impacted.
A Blueprint for Change
According to OECD estimates, plastic leakage in Southeast Asia could be reduced by 95% by 2050 with robust policies, including increased producer accountability, improved collection systems and investment in recycling. However, communities are some of the most potent forces behind Southeast Asia’s recycling changes, not the government.
Recycling has evolved from an environmental initiative in Southeast Asia into a driving force behind Southeast Asia’s recycling revolution. It serves as both a source of local empowerment and an economic lifeline. One bottle, sachet or piece of plastic at a time, these “trash to treasure” examples demonstrate how communities may create safer, cleaner and more prosperous futures with the proper support.
– Katelyn Leano
Photo: Pixabay
10 Important Facts About Hunger in Vanuatu
Hunger and Nutrition in Vanuatu
Probably because of its small size, Vanuatu is not ranked in the comparative country report, the Global Hunger Index. The Global Nutrition Report has secured information on Vanuatu’s progress in meeting global nutrition targets; however, some of the data is over a decade old (2013-2020). At that last report, the country was “on course” only for three metrics: childhood overweight, exclusive breastfeeding and childhood wasting. Childhood stunting, anemia of women of childbearing age and low birth weight showed no progress or were worsening, with the islands “off course” for the remaining seven global nutrition indicators.
Food Security
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s most recent Food Security Profile for Vanuatu is also based on data from 2020 or earlier and is consistent with the Global Nutrition Report. One in 10 Ni Vanuatu (Vanuatu’s Indigenous people) were described as undernourished, with 20.9% experiencing a moderate level of food insecurity, and severe levels of food insecurity suffered by an additional 2.4%. In other words, almost a quarter of Vanuatu’s population was reported as food insecure. On a positive note, the average Ni-Vanuatu is reported to consume more than the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables recommended by the World Health Organization.
More recently, in October-November 2024, the World Food Programme telephone surveyed 1,306 Vanuatu households (82% of them were rural households). This was after a series of severe, damaging cyclones in 2023 that had disrupted the supply chain and impacted agricultural production and economic activity. The rural communities, which rely on subsistence agriculture, experienced a negative impact on consumption and nutrition. In October, although 67% of the households noted acceptable food consumption patterns, this was a 30% decline from the previous year. A 7.3 magnitude earthquake, subsequent to the survey, in December 2024, could only have exacerbated food insecurity. The source of food varied among the provinces: 84% of Malampa Province respondents reported acquiring food through their own production, while 69% of Shefa Province respondents purchased their food from markets or supermarkets.
Subsistence agriculture has its limits, however. In March 2024, Prime Minister Chariot Salwai reported to the National Economic and Investment Forum that “Vanuatu imports nearly half of its food, despite 70% of the population residing in rural areas capable of producing organic products for domestic consumption.”
Public Health Consequences
A substantial reliance on food imports can have a negative public health effect when it facilitates an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods. This can lead to an increase in noncommunicable diseases. A recent study of the impact of trade agreements on food systems revealed the relationship between Vanuatu’s World Trade Organization agreements and obligations and the country’s food environment, where an increase was seen in both healthy and less healthy imports.
It was also found that an increase in foreign direct investment was accompanied by an increase in the local production and consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods by foreign-owned companies involved in food manufacturing, processing and production.
Policy Responses to Hunger in Vanuatu
Such changes in the food environment can be addressed and controlled. This demands a balance of priorities among economic and trade interests and public health interests in order to strengthen the “nutrition policy space.” And this balance calls for multisectoral cooperation that includes public health actors in the policymaking process. Vanuatu recognized this in its National Nutrition Policy & Strategic Plan 2016-2020, with one of its guiding principles being a commitment to multisectoral approaches.
This was followed by the Vanuatu Food Safety, Security & Nutrition Policy, 2022-2030, which recognizes and addresses the role of trade, economic and environmental policies on health and the food and nutrition “landscape.”
– Staff Reports
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Education in Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s formal education follows a 6‑year primary system (ages 6–12), followed by a 5‑year secondary program, which includes a 3‑year general lower-secondary cycle and a 2‑year upper-secondary track focused on either university preparation or vocational training.
Preschool teaches children under 6. Primary net enrollment is reported at about 86%, while gross enrollment, including over‑age or under‑age students, is close to 96%. The country boasts an impressive 99% transition rate to lower secondary schools. However, completion rates remain lower: about 67% for boys and 65% for girls finish primary education. They’re even worse and more gender-disparate for lower secondary education.
Public Spending and Quality Assurance
Cape Verde has maintained high public investment in education for many years, though it declined from 7.5% in 2004 to approximately 5% by 2013. Investment in higher education also increased modestly, from 0.79 % of GDP in 2013 to 0.9% in 2017. Efforts to train teachers and provide textbooks appear effective, as 90% of students have access to textbooks and over 90% of teachers have undergone in-service training.
Despite this commitment, challenges remain. Repetition rates in early primary grades are high, grade 2 sees a repeat rate of about 16.3%, nearly double the average of other grades. Additionally, girls face higher dropout risks, due in part to early childbearing and child marriage, with dropout rates around 24% for girls versus 15% for boys. Such challenges are more prevalent in rural and lower‑income communities, where access to secondary education facilities may be limited and traditional gender roles yield greater influence.
Reforms and International Cooperation
Cape Verde’s inclusive education system is bolstered by national policy and international partnerships. The government collaborates with UNESCO, the U.N., and development partners to improve learning outcomes and equity across islands and vulnerable populations. A key example is a UNICEF‑led initiative under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which is funding early childhood and basic education improvements from 2024 to 2029. The program has expanded preschool access to over 5,000 children, many in rural or disadvantaged communities, by providing digital learning rooms and supplying new learning materials. This has helped raise the national preschool enrollment rate to about 86%. The focus on STEM education and vocational training aligns with broader economic ambitions, supported by technical cooperation and external funding.
By combining high literacy targets with strong policy and international support, Cape Verde aims to position education as a transformative national asset. Continued investment in early‑grade learning, improved transition and completion at the secondary level, and expanded opportunities in higher education and vocational training are critical to its vision for sustainable development. With over 90 % adult literacy and near‑universal secondary transition, Cape Verde stands out in its region for educational progress. However, targeted reforms remain crucial to ensure that every child benefits equally from learning.
– Jeff Zhou
Photo: Flickr
Marienstüberl: The Beating Heart of Poverty Relief in Graz
Migration to Austria
Since 2010, migration to Austria has been increasing due to conflicts in the Middle East, with the majority of migrants coming from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, the Russian Federation, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia and Georgia. Today, there are also many refugees from Ukraine, all seeking a stable life situation in one of Europe’s wealthiest countries. Wherever these communities originate geographically, there is a common theme that migrants face overwhelming bureaucratic and language barriers that hinder their integration into Austrian life.
With many still struggling to get a foot on the employment ladder, many end up in financial precarity.
Marienstüberl
This is where organizations like Marienstüberl come in. Located in the center of Graz, a few minutes’ walk from the main train station, Marienstüberl shares a large building with Caritas Steiermark. This umbrella organization oversees numerous social initiatives throughout the county. Large food deliveries, mass cooking and food distribution operations take place under one welcoming roof.
It is a place where vulnerable people can go every day for a warm meal and take free food boxes for themselves and their families. For many, it is their second home.
Food Collection
Marienstüberl addresses immediate needs, including food, warmth and shelter, directly. At 7:30 a.m. sharp, the van leaves with two volunteers ready to start their day with some heavy lifting. Years of networking and building a strong reputation as the center of poverty relief in Graz have led to fruitful partnerships with commercial supermarkets, including Spar, Billa and Pennymarkt, many of whose branches set aside unsold food for donation to Marienstüberl.
Often, a small bruise is enough for fruit and vegetables to be set aside, while yoghurts, pastries and bread form the bulk of the donations. With approximately eight supermarkets to visit before 10 a.m., this is physically taxing work. And it does not stop there. A throng of volunteers meets the van upon arrival and the donations are quickly sorted into nutritionally balanced food boxes ready for distribution.
For many, this is a lifeline. With migrants facing continual pushbacks and barriers to receiving state support, these donation boxes are both welcome and necessary.
320 Meals a Day
Meanwhile, the kitchen hums with activity, preparing more than 300 meals for the day. If there are leftovers, they serve perfectly as a snack to serve later in the day for any latecomers. In fact, Marienstüberl’s kitchen is so renowned that it has just released a cookbook.
The book features some of Styria’s most beloved dishes, some designed by esteemed local chefs and, of course, some of Marienstüberl’s own favorites and marks a major milestone. All proceeds will go directly to supporting the marginalized, migrant and refugee communities that frequent Marienstüberl.
30 Years of Poverty Relief in Graz — And Many More To Go
The cookbook marks the 30-year milestone for the organization. According to Caritas director Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler, the cookbook “builds a bridge between different worlds,” allowing those who cannot afford to put food on the table to go somewhere safe and enjoy a warm meal with others.
Indeed, as demonstrated by its thriving relationships with local supermarkets, Marienstüberl occupies a very special place in the Graz community. Attracting generosity from far and wide, major institutions such as Graz University Hospital and the cleaning company Saubermacher are establishing fundraising initiatives to support Marienstüberl.
Conclusion
Every day, every week, every year, Marienstüberl proves to be a close ally for those living in poverty in Graz. It would not be what it is without its extensive volunteer network. With hundreds supporting the cause, Marienstüberl’s contribution to poverty relief in Graz is vital and it shows no signs of slowing down.
– Saroj Spickett
Photo: Pixabay
10 Facts About Education in Argentina
10 Facts About Education in Argentina
Investment in Argentina’s education system is thus significant, comprising international, national, and subnational support. This support is wide in scope in terms of target populations, issues addressed and the solutions undertaken.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr
How Policy Has Helped Eradicate Extreme Poverty in India
There have been continuous five-year plans, dating back to 1951. The country has focused on tackling unemployment, economic growth, building and improving infrastructure and ensuring food security. However, the last ten years have seen the most impactful reforms across these sectors.
Labor Laws
India has been praised for its social protection systems. Employment rates have recently outpaced the working-age population since 2021, with urban unemployment falling to 6.6.% in 2025.
The government implemented the most impactful policies in 2019, with the introduction of the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code in 2020. These ensured that workers had easier access to security, dignity, health, and wellness measures. As a result, the government increased the minimum wage for workers across all sectors, where it had previously only covered 30% of workers.
Female Employment
Many policies directed towards women have helped to see an increase in the economic position of women and a decrease in the overall levels of extreme poverty in India. For instance, the government launched the National Maternity Benefit Scheme in 2016, which ensured mothers over the age of 19 with financial aid during pregnancy; The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which distributed 50 million LPG connections to women below the poverty line and the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), which provided loans to help businesses. Of loans awarded, 68% went to female entrepreneurs, boosting women’s success in the labour market.
Introduced in 2018, the Solar Charkha Mission helped young unemployed people gain employment in the poorest rural areas. A rise in female employment has also been seen, with the number of women in paid self-employment nearly tripling since 2018. Policies also ensured that discrimination could not take place based on gender, further helping women succeed in the labour market.
Female Welfare
There have also been various schemes, such as Mission Poshan 2.0, which oversaw the investment into women’s health and wellbeing. Starting in 2018, it has helped to feed, educate and improve the health of women across India. This includes policies such as the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), which has strengthened maternal and neonatal care and provided free access to quality healthcare for pregnant people, newborns and new mothers for up to six months after delivery. As of March 2025, authorities have improved a reported 90,015 health care facilities.
Other policies, such as the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), have also provided improved healthcare and financial benefits to Mothers in India. Such schemes have ensured improved health and well-being of women across India, and prevented many pregnant women from falling into poverty.
Transportation
India has seen deep investment into its transportation infrastructure, with a 500% increase in its budget allocation over the last 10 years. The country has improved its metro system, with the network set to increase from 248 km in 2014 to 945 km by the end of 2024; the government have selected 1,318 railway stations for redevelopment; it nationalized 111 waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016. This allows for more efficient trade and movement. The reform of infrastructure in India has allowed for increased economic growth, provided jobs across the country and allowed for increased accessibility.
What Now?
Despite the successes achieved through India’s policy reforms, there is still much more work necessary. Even though India has eradicated extreme poverty, one quarter of the population still remains poor. Further policy introductions and reforms will help lift those still living in poverty in India.
– Alys Gaze
Photo: Flickr
Norway’s Poverty Reduction: What We Can Learn From It
This represents a massive 50% increase compared to previous commitments. Norway’s poverty reduction plan largely reflects its belief in strategic investment in global stability, rather than a charity case to be disregarded.
Foreign Aid Contributions
In 2025, Norway provided approximately $228 million in humanitarian aid for 13 crises. These funds went to places like Chad, Gaza and Ukraine, aiming not only to raise awareness of the issues but also to meet the needs of those in need as sustainably as possible. Similarly, it increased funding to the World Bank and the U.N., aiming to target food security, electricity access and climate resilience.
The country’s approach of providing immediate relief, such as water, shelter and medicine, paired with long-term development and governance support, helps ensure that these countries are provided with a stable aid relief plan. Norway’s multi-year agreements with aid organizations, worth nearly $1 billion, reflect a strategic and sustained commitment to relief services.
What Makes Norway’s Model Effective?
Norway’s aid relief plan remains largely effective due to its consistently high levels of aid, regardless of economic uncertainty. Similarly, it participates in strategic partnerships which allow institutions to provide legitimacy and an amplified impact. Not only does Norway consistently rank as a leading European aid donor, but it also does not see poverty aid as “charity.”
It ensures that it is consistently viewed as an overarching justice issue by allocating nearly 1% of its Gross National Income (GNI) to foreign aid.
Lessons for Other Countries
Norway remains an exemplary nation for the rest of the world in terms of generosity and commitment, demonstrating that investing abroad only strengthens stability at home. It expertly managed to tackle climate and poverty issues simultaneously, providing a “future-proof” model of development. The aid Norway provides is successful in creating jobs and fostering expertise in companies across the country and worldwide, thereby enhancing its domestic stability.
Not only has Norway successfully set an example for addressing issues such as climate instability and global poverty, but it has also proven that small states are capable of leadership, demonstrating that influence stems from commitment and credibility. By aligning its policies with the U.N.’s 2030 Agenda, Norway became a member of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty in 2024, promoting collective, institution-led solutions that scale impact. The country has also shown that aid works best when it is strategic rather than reactive, relying on multi-year planning and rights-based frameworks to deliver deeper, longer-lasting results.
Overall, Norway’s poverty reduction approach is strategic, principled and future-focused. As global crises continue to intensify, other nations can learn from Norway’s willingness to commit to long-term solutions. Its model shows that effective aid is built on consistency, accountability and planning—not short-term reactions.
– Megan Burrows
Photo: Unsplash
Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Romania
According to the Brookings Institution, more than 25% of the population lives on less than $5.50 a day. This problem worsens because most affected individuals live in rural regions, where 75% of the population experiences poverty. Many of the citizens lack drinkable water and children struggle to maintain a well-resourced education; 40% of the children in Romania cannot read or write at a functional level, and one in five children drop out of school entirely. Romania’s communist roots in the mid-20th century account for much of the country’s persistent poverty.
Romania’s Escape From Communism
Communist leaders imposed centralized control over Romania after World War II. Nicolae Ceaușescu became ruler in 1965 and oversaw the forced industrialization that contributed to severe poverty and repression, according to Local Histories. The Romanian Revolution in 1989 ended the regime and Romania transitioned toward a market economy. This shift continues to influence innovations in poverty eradication in Romania.
This transition proved difficult because the communist regime directly controlled many key industries. With the collapse of these industries, many small-to-medium cities relying on these industries stagnated. Eventually, through liberalization, privatization and political reform, Romania improved economically. Romania’s acceptance into NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007 marked a turning point for citizens, but it also revealed gaps in development and social justice. This felt especially true for many of the children living in vulnerable populations.
Community-Driven Change
In 2014, to address the extreme poverty that families in Romania experienced, Foundation Botnar partnered with UNICEF and the Norwegian and Romanian Governments to develop a pilot program in 45 communities in the Bacǎu region. Their solution, the Minimum Package of Services (MPS) model, aimed to expand Romanian children’s access to necessary services and improve their educational outcomes.
An innovation in poverty eradication in Romania resulted from the digital platform Aurora, which efficiently organizes and evaluates data for the MPS model. A trained team consisting of a social worker, community nurse and a school counselor used this platform to collect data on each of the family’s needs.
The program’s nontraditional approach to social change delivered many benefits:
Impact of the MPS Program
UNICEF conducted independent evaluations in 2017 and 2019 to determine the effectiveness of the program. The 2017 report found a decrease of 20% in households with children at risk of domestic violence and estimated costs fell under $46 USD per child. Furthermore, the 2019 evaluation reaffirmed its cost-effectiveness, determining that the cost per person for the MPS model was one-third for active cases and one-eighteenth for closed cases compared to similar projects funded by European programs.
By strengthening community-based services and emphasizing prevention in health, education and social protection, this initiative set the standard for innovation in poverty eradication in Romania and across Europe.”
– Sachin Kapoor
Photo: Unsplash
Kaspi: The Future of Online Banking in Kazakhstan
Background
However, this change does not come without a few issues. With the increase in daily technology usage in the country, digital scams have become more common. The Times of Central Asia reports that since July 2024 alone, anti-fraud centers have suspended more than 63,000 suspicious transactions across the country that amounted to over four million dollars. Most of these scams, according to the Times, stem from the use of cell phones. Another large factor in these scams includes the use of SIM cards under false identities. These scams can target anyone, but they have a devastating impact on those who struggle financially or are otherwise vulnerable.
Kaspi
Defined as “the largest consumer-focused ecosystem in Kazakhstan” through its website, Kaspi is much more than a banking platform. Besides allowing its users to pay for utilities or their education with their app, the Central Asian banking platform also has its own marketplace, where users can buy anything from cell phones to stuffed animals through different merchants. Think of the Shop App as Kaspi, but without the banking aspect; with both apps, you can track your purchases, pay for almost anything through installments, and find unique offers on products from merchants.
Unlike the Shop App, Kaspi is allowing its users to pay with a part of their body. When it comes to paying with facial recognition or a fingerprint, like many Apple Pay or Samsung Pay users experience as a way of verifying any day-to-day purchase, Kaspi has launched a new service where customers are able to pay with the palm of their hand. The “Kaspi Alaqan,” service is “easier” than paying with your card, phone or digital wallet, according to the company, particularly because there is no WiFi connection necessary for the payment to go through.
Safety
Kazakhstan’s leading financial tech company promises that this new service is safe, going as far as to say that “palm payment is one of the most secure methods of payment,” referencing the decade-old usage of the technology in Japan, as well as the current developments of it in China and the United States. The company states that due to the unique structure of your palm, it is “virtually impossible” that someone would be able to access this form of payment.
Furthermore, the company reassures that this is a safe practice, as it collects palm’s biometric data, converts it into a digital code, encrypts and then stores it for future use, only accessible within Kaspi. This makes it harder for scammers to steal your information, given that they don’t need your banking password to drain your entire banking balance, but instead, the live palm of your hand, which can only be used to make purchases.
The Future
Kazakhstan’s leading financial services company, Kaspi, has stated that in December, this form of payment is going to become available at ATMs in Almaty, the country’s largest city, before a larger rollout nationwide. On an additional note, Kazakhstan’s government has set a goal of a $450 billion gross domestic product (GDP) by 2029, and digital technologies, such as Kaspi Alaqan, are “central” in reaching this national goal. In order to do this, the government launched the National Artificial Intelligence Platform earlier this year, hosting more than 100 AI agents that expand access to technology. Recently, this technology has become available to start-ups, universities, and research programs.
– Megan Akers
Photo: Kalpak Travel
Education in Botswana