Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Vocational Education Centers in South Korea

Education Centers in South KoreaIn South Korea, three types of vocational education training centers correspond to three life course stages. First, in the youth stage, it’s a vocational high school. Second, during the adult years, one can enroll in a public or private vocational training center. Lastly, in the later years of life, there are lifelong education centers. Started through a top-down government-led policy, vocational education training centers in South Korea are structurally well organized. However, social stigma toward those who choose the vocational path over higher education prevails. This continues in the job field, with significant wage differences and inequalities between white-collar and blue-collar jobs. Severe industrial incidences of apprentices have also risen as a social issue to be solved.

Vocational High School

Vocational high schools provide specialized education specialized to youths, typically aged 15-18, following middle school general education. The making of vocational high schools was driven by the surging need for workers during South Korea’s industrialization period in the ’60s-’80s. To supply the labor force to industries, the government used a centralized national strategy, the “Five-Year Economic Development Plan,” to establish and support vocational high schools.

Nowadays, vocational high schools come in two forms: specialized high schools and Meister high schools. There are 464 specialized high schools which account for 80% of vocational education. The schools teach topics of agriculture, industry, information and business. Furthermore, 12% are general high schools that provide vocational education. Finally, 8% are Meister high schools driven to provide specific industrial needs by training technical experts in fields of AI and digital technology.

Colleges and Private Training Centers

For colleges, there is the Junior college under the Ministry of Education. Polytechnic college falls under the Ministry of Employment and Labor. While both provide vocational education, Junior colleges run on the basis of acquiring a certain number of credits to graduate with courses lasting 2-4 years. This is a form of higher education. On the other hand, the Polytechnic college education is between 6 months and 2 years, with less strict conditions to meet. It provides not only an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in a certain industry but also prepares students to get the National Technical Qualification.

Their subject fields include machinery, design, architecture, electronic engineering, information and communication, media and biology. Private institutions and academies also provide a wide range of vocational education. Without the burden of following a set curriculum and acquiring credits, private institutes give a variety of options and freedom to match the student’s needs. While some courses can be covered through government subsidies, for some, it could be not very easy to afford private education.

Lifelong Education

Lifelong education came to being with the critique of traditional academic learning and the rise of topics of social change and life course theory. Korea acknowledged the importance of lifelong education in the ’70s and has included it in the constitution as a basic right for everyone to seek education at any stage of life. It has also been made the country’s duty to provide educational opportunities to the people. The government, therefore, established the National Institute For Lifelong Education (NILE). NILE offers programs such as adult literacy, online lifelong learning and an academic credit bank system, which lowers the barrier to acquiring a degree.

Stigma and Sacrifice

While South Korea managed to establish a strong social system of vocational education training centers for every stage of life through nation-led policymaking, problems prevail on a pragmatic level. These include labor exploitation, industrial incidents and more. Numerous tragic incidents happened to vocational high school students undergoing apprenticeships. In between being a student and an adult, these apprentices were thrown into labor without safeguards. Due to the high stigma and indifference toward vocational education and apprentice students, these problems only started to get acknowledged in 2016 after a tragic incident.

A 19-year-old apprentice was repairing safety screen doors at Guui subway station between the railway and the platform when the train came in and hit the young worker. The safety manual was set for two workers to be in teams to prevent safety hazards, but at that time, the 19-year-old was working alone. After this news was reported in the media, the topic of vocationally educated students and unsafe, exploitative labor of the apprenticeship gained attention from the public.

Conclusion

Vocational education challenges in South Korea are significant, rooted in social stigma and pressure on institutions to demonstrate their value. However, there is hope for change. As awareness of the importance of skilled trades and their vital role in the economy grows, attitudes are shifting. By fostering a greater appreciation for vocational education and the experienced workers it produces, South Korea could create a more inclusive society that values all forms of education and work. Embracing this change can lead to a brighter future for individuals and the economy.

– Minji L. Kim

Minji based in Seoul, South Korea and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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LIF: UK-Mexico Relations and Medical Innovation

LIFMexico’s economy is on the rise after a 3.2% growth in 2023 and boasts the second-largest economy in Latin America. The shock of COVID-19 failed to stunt the country’s ongoing efforts to reduce poverty since rates continued to fall from 43.9% in 2020 to 36.3% in 2022. Although Mexico is exceeding in development, clear income divides remain between rural and urban areas, which is evident in its health care system. The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF), a U.K. program, worked with Mexican innovators to help provide solutions to health care disparities.

What Is the LIF program?

The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) began the LIF program more than 10 years ago to promote global entrepreneurship through the use of technological innovation. Alongside Mexico, the program has partners in 16 countries, including Brazil, Vietnam, and Romania. The LIF was launched thanks to funding from the Newton Fund, which is part of the U.K.’s official development assistance and fosters international science and innovation partnerships.

Health Care in Mexico

The Mexican health care system operates on a combination of public, private, and employer-funded schemes. Prior to the introduction of Seguro Popular in 2004, a government program that ensured universal access to health care, three-quarters of the population could not access health care through the Ministry of Health. However, high poverty rates in rural areas of Mexico often leave these populations without adequate access to health care. Services are typically concentrated in the country’s largest cities.

In fact, 88% of dentists in Mexico are located in urban centers. Despite multiple reforms, health care infrastructure in rural municipalities remains insufficient, forcing locals to rely on out-of-pocket expenses. These areas also represent two-thirds of Mexico’s extremely poor. The removal of Seguro Popular in 2020 further increased out-of-pocket health care costs, which indicates the need for further health care security and reform to aid the most inadequate.

The LIF Program in Mexico

In February 2024, LIF joined efforts with technological innovators in Mexico to help the Xicotepec, one of the municipalities that make up the Puebla state. The program funded the use of these medical inventions and services in the communities of Xicotepec. The team operating there organized a Community Health Services (CHS) Week, where 265 people received medical care.

The program covered a variety of training and medical care. Indeed, 90 mothers attended breast cancer screenings, 40 doctors were trained in wound healing, and more than 200 people were trained in disease prevention. The program was well received by its beneficiaries: “The service was very good and necessary. The truth is that we don’t go to the doctor often because we can’t afford it.”

Final Note

Positive partnerships like the LIF program enable medical innovation and treatment to reach the communities that need it most. They can help resolve the negative effects of recent changes in Mexico’s health care system. The capacity of the RAEng to reach remote communities like Xicotepec shows how far-reaching international collaboration is.

– Sofia Brooke

Sofia is based in Oxfordshire, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How School Meal Programs Keep Girls in School

School Meal ProgramsAccording to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an estimated 122 million girls of primary and secondary school age are not enrolled in school worldwide. Many are pulled out to take on domestic roles or are married off as young as 14 to alleviate financial pressures on their families, such as food. Girls are particularly disadvantaged in impoverished countries and regions affected by fragility, conflict and violence (FCV), where they are 2.5 times more likely than boys to be out of school.

School Meal Programs

School meal programs in countries where girls face disproportionate barriers provide a strong incentive for families to send their daughters to school and keep them enrolled. This will, in turn, delay marriage and pregnancy as well as empower young women. A study conducted by the Frontiers of Public Health proved this, finding that completing ninth grade considerably increases the chances of girls delaying marriage until 18 and pregnancy until 20.

The strong correlation between education and child marriage stresses the urgency of prioritizing female education and enrollment in low- and middle-income countries. Implementing school meal programs is a sustainable and effective way to do so. It has been shown to cause a significant increase in female enrollment and school completion. Addressing the issue of child pregnancy is imperative, as the leading cause of death among adolescent girls is maternal mortality.

In developing countries where women and girls are often last to eat, many experience malnourishment, which is exacerbated by the intense physical and nutritional demands of breastfeeding and pregnancy. This malnutrition, combined with the fact that their bodies are not fully developed to endure the stress of pregnancy, puts pregnant adolescents at a higher risk of having low-birthweight babies and facing maternal mortality. However, this cycle can be broken by keeping girls in school and improving their nutrition through school meal programs.

Further Benefits

Moreover, students better focus in class when getting the nutrition they need; thus, eating at school boosts their academic performance and motivates them to go to school and participate. With the improvement of children’s physical health through school meal programs, they are less likely to miss school due to illness. A study in South Africa found that among the many positive spillover effects of school meal programs, families of students benefiting from them recorded less health spending than of the latter. In addition, the study found that the programs had a more pronounced impact on girls and rural communities.

School meal programs also stimulate local economies by creating business opportunities for smallholder farmers who source the meals and by creating jobs for those organizing and distributing them. They also reduce the financial stress on vulnerable families, allowing them to save about 10% of their income. In fact, according to an analysis done by the World Food Programme (WFP), communities saw a $9 economic return for every $1 allocated to school meals. Similarly, it found that 1,400 jobs were created with every 100,000 children fed, which translates to around four million jobs spanning 85 countries.

Solely through school meals, we can not only encourage families to prioritize education for their children, especially daughters but indirectly strengthen local economies and contribute to the fight against global poverty.

Progress

Figures from the WFP have shown that globally, school meal programs can boost enrollment rates by an average of 9%, with a 12% increase specifically for girls. These programs have also been linked to an 8% improvement in attendance. Notably, in Pakistan, before school meal programs were implemented, 48% of households did not send any girls to school. Five years after the program started, the WFP found that all households educated at least one daughter.

Currently, there are school meal programs in 161 countries and daily meals are provided to more than 418 million children worldwide. The WFP allocates $48 billion annually to support these programs and hopes to transition the ownership of such programs to national governments. To date, 50 countries have made this transition. More than 80% of all programs have been encompassed into national policies in some way and others are expected to follow.

With school meal programs operating in almost every country, the scale of impact varies by region. For instance, India has immense coverage, feeding 130 million children daily. Similarly, Brazil feeds 50 million. Even in impoverished countries with smaller budgets, these programs are making a meaningful difference by prioritizing children from the most vulnerable families.

Looking Forward

With 73 million children in 60 different countries still left vulnerable and with no access to school meals, there is still work to be done. The WFP continues to work with governments globally, especially in regions where girls are more vulnerable, to support school meal programs and reaffirm its commitments as per the School Meals Coalition. Its goal is for “every child to have access to a daily, healthy meal in school by 2030.”

– Rebecca Aziz

Rebecca is based in Middleton, WI, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mpox in India: Understanding the Outbreak and Response

Mpox in India: Understanding the Outbreak and Response India has confirmed its first case of a deadlier mpox strain, the clade Ib variant, in Kerala. Previously contained in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this strain is now spreading globally, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency. Authorities detected the case in a 38-year-old man who had recently traveled from Dubai and have identified 29 contacts for self-quarantine.

The Spread of Mpox in India

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. A global outbreak of the clade IIb strain occurred between 2022 and 2023. As of now, the mpox outbreak in India has primarily affected urban areas, especially New Delhi. Although the number of cases has not reached critical levels, there is concern about potential widespread transmission in densely populated regions. Public health officials are closely monitoring the situation, tracking cases and ensuring containment measures are in place.

India’s Public Health Response

India’s public health response to the mpox outbreak has been swift and coordinated. The central government has urged all states and Union territories to identify facilities and train personnel to manage both suspected and confirmed mpox cases. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has emphasized the importance of timely sample testing, isolating cases and conducting genome sequencing through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to determine the virus clade.

States have received instructions to boost public health preparedness at state and district levels, establish isolation facilities and enforce strict infection control measures. Public awareness campaigns are underway to educate communities about the disease, its transmission and the importance of early reporting. Additionally, diagnostic capabilities are robust, with 36 labs supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and three commercial PCR kits approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to facilitate testing. These ongoing efforts aim to control the spread of mpox and protect public health.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified India’s response and preparedness for the mpox outbreak following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Guidance from WHO has significantly shaped India’s response to mpox, providing best practices from other countries and offering frameworks to manage the disease within a broader public health context.

Looking Ahead

India has responded swiftly and proactively to the mpox outbreak, demonstrating a strong commitment to controlling the virus’s spread. Coordinated efforts at both national and state levels have enhanced diagnostic capabilities, established isolation facilities and promoted public awareness.

– Aneela Agha

Aneela is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Diplomatic and Humanitarian Aid as Keys to Stability in Lebanon

Stability in Lebanon As of September 26 2024, Israel and Hezbollah forces have been exchanging fire over, which destabilized the situation in the Middle East further. So far, more than 700 innocent civilians have been killed in Lebanon, many of whom are women and children. Additionally, thousands of residents in the south of Lebanon have fled to the northern part of the country to escape the conflict, which could worsen the already high rate of poverty in the country. Despite the intensity of the conflict in the last few days, governments and humanitarian organizations have been relentless in improving stability in Lebanon and its vulnerable communities.

Regional Support to Lebanon

Middle Eastern countries have been at the forefront of providing aid to the Lebanese people in their darkest hours and to pave the way for stability in Lebanon. For example, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) funded the ambulance services carried out by Lebanon’s Subul Al Salam Social Association in the northern part of the country. The association was able to carry out 59 ambulance missions on September 14, 2024, and they plan to use the funds to provide services to those in refugee areas, Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Similarly, on September 24, 2024, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) conducted a relief campaign for 10,000 displaced Lebanese families in shelter centers by providing essential items such as food, cleaning supplies and mattresses. This highlights only a little bit of the exhaustive efforts by countries worldwide to help Lebanon.

International Support to Lebanon:

Countries beyond the Middle East have been involved in the efforts to ensure that there is stability in Lebanon. For instance, on April 3, 2024, USAID announced that it is providing more than $67 million for humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable communities in Lebanon. The funds will help organizations in Lebanon, such as the World Food Programme (WFP), continue to deliver life-saving aid to over 100,000 people in Lebanon. On the other hand, on May 2 2024, the European Union announced that it is providing financial assistance to the most vulnerable in Lebanon of €1 billion from 2024-2027 to support, among many things, basic health and education services. This shows that, despite the intensity of the current conflict in Lebanon, there are still good people trying to bring peace and stability to the country.

Stability in Lebanon: The Future

In the last few days since war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, media outlets have been focusing disproportionately on the doom side of the conflict. Although it is right to point out the level of destruction in this war, there is also the often-overlooked part where diplomats and aid workers are working tirelessly to bring stability to Lebanon.

Regional countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have been providing aid non-stop to Lebanon as part of the effort to bring peace to the Middle East. Similarly, the U.S. and the EU are also working to end the conflict in Lebanon via diplomacy and humanitarian aid to strengthen the international human rights system. It may be difficult to feel hopeful for Lebanon given the nature of the news cycle today. Still, the facts on the ground give a strong reason to feel optimistic for a better tomorrow for the Lebanese people.

– Abdullah Dowaihy

Abdullah is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sex Trafficking and Child Poverty in Belarus  

Sex Trafficking in BelarusBelarus is a country in Eastern Europe which only recently gained its independence in August 1991 after a long history of the Soviet Union. The country, occupied by the Russian Empire since the 18th century, fell into Nazi hands years after the Russian Revolution, and following World War II, the country returned to Soviet Union’s control in 1944. In 1994, three years after declaring independence, Aleksandr Lukashenko became president and has been in office since his initial election.

Vulnerable Communities

In 2017, the rate of child poverty in Belarus stood at 11.3% while the population as a whole stood at 5.9%. The most vulnerable communities and families have been and still are those that live in more rural areas of the country, single-parent homes and homes with three or more children.

The multidimensional child poverty (MDCP) is higher than the overall poverty rate in the country. It is 16.7%, but the number varies across individuals. For larger households with three or more children and families in rural areas, the rate stands at 29.5% and for single-parent households, the rate is 23.8%, UNICEF reports.

UNICEF defines MDCP as “the situation of children suffering from multiple deprivations, rather than just income deprivation. Children may lack necessities or basic rights such as access to water and sanitation, a healthy, diverse diet, adequate living space or access to a personal computer to aid learning.”

Child Sex Trafficking in Belarus

Due to child poverty in Belarus, these underprivileged groups are especially vulnerable to trafficking, one of the major issues in the country. According to Interpol, Belarus has been identified as the country in Eastern Europe with the single most individuals identified in child abuse material. In 2013, there were a total of 91 victims in explicit abuse photographs and videos from Belarus.

The number of cases only increased. In 2015, there were a total of 506 separate cases of “commercial exploitation of children,” according to ECPAT. The traffickers often take victims abroad to countries like Russia, Poland and Turkey where their exploitation continues. The number of victims each year has fluctuated, but has remained consistently high, with the government identifying 251 victims in 2019.

The Good News

Although sex trafficking and child poverty in Belarus remain prominent, there is international support from NGOs and international aid groups to provide resources to victims and low-income households, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The number of victims of child trafficking has slowly increased since 2020; although, the government of Belarus has made small steps in providing resources for these vulnerable individuals. The government provides housing for up to six months in centers for children between the ages of three to 18 as well as free legal assistance, the U.S. Department of State reports. In July 2019, Belarusian and Israeli officials worked together to coordinate an operation to take down a sex trafficking ring composed of Belarusian and Ukrainian women, leading to the arrest of 15 people.

To address child poverty, the country has begun to provide aid to low-income families and families with underage children. There are also one-time benefits provided to families experiencing hardships and children up until 2 years old are provided with food supplies, regardless of income. Belarus is making efforts to address the issues of child poverty and human trafficking. No matter how slow, there are still efforts being made.

– Maya Renfro

Maya is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Georgia

Renewable Energy in GeorgiaGeorgia is a country rich in history, situated at the eastern end of the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. Once home to the ancient kingdom of Iberia, Georgia is now charting its course with one of Europe’s most significant and rapidly growing renewable energy sectors. The Georgian people aim not only to promote renewable energy but also to use it to alleviate poverty.

Pushing Toward a Green Future

This push toward a green future goes hand in hand with the country’s economic policy. Specifically, Georgia has always maintained the goal of creating a liberalized economic environment for its people. This economy would be governed through minimal state interference, reduced taxation and free trade. These principles have already been put into place. For example, Georgia achieved an average annual economic growth of 3.6% between 2017 and 2021. The country achieved this by stimulating capital and investments through a system of structural reforms. Its renewable energy sector is one such reformation that has expanded into an industry of its own.

Georgia has been involved in the energy sector since the mid-’90s and its efforts have steadily progressed, yielding significant results. Approximately 70% of the country’s electricity comes from hydropower, with the remainder generated from coal and natural gas. This positions Georgia for potential energy independence from its neighbors, opening the door to becoming an electricity exporter to other European nations. For context, the country’s total energy consumption was 4.49 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2020, presenting a lucrative opportunity for sustainable economic growth.

In addition, the country’s energy sector is on pace for rapid growth. The state electricity producer Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE) currently produces 4,600 megawatts (MW) of electricity, which is expected to reach 10,000 megawatts by 2033. Furthermore, new hydropower plants are being proposed to aid this development. Even more, there are plans to construct photovoltaics and wind farms in the country. The fruition of these projects would have significant implications for the country’s renewable energy output.

Potential Economic Impact

The jobs created by this initiative could spark a significant economic boom for the nation. Citizens could engage in meaningful work within an industry, revitalizing their country and promoting a healthier environment. This potential is reflected in economic forecasts, which project Georgia’s gross domestic product (GDP) to rise to 5.5% by 2025, a 0.5% increase from the previous year.

Looking Ahead

There is still much work ahead and progress continues to be made. Georgia’s legislators are focused on realizing their vision of a green future by integrating and strengthening the economic and environmental sectors. Increasing these areas would foster sustainability and financial security for the nation and its citizens. In conclusion, renewable energy has brought much-needed attention to Georgia, establishing it as a significant player on the global stage in the pursuit of a brighter future.

– Drew Ellison

Drew is based in Laurel, DE, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Portable Labs for Diagnosing Diseases in Africa

Portable Labs for Diagnosing DiseasesAccess to health care poses a significant challenge in many African regions. Remote villages often lie hours or days from the nearest clinic and under-resourced hospitals struggle to provide timely diagnoses for diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. As a result, patients experience significant delays in receiving care, leading to high mortality rates for otherwise treatable diseases. However, the deployment of portable labs across Africa transforms health care by delivering essential testing and treatment services directly to these underprivileged communities.

The Need for Portable Labs

A disproportionate 25% share of the global disease burden falls on Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB remain the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. Quick and accurate diagnosis is key to combatting these diseases. However, with more than half of its population deprived of health care access and Africa’s global health expenditure below 1%, lab infrastructure is often outdated. Sending samples to distant laboratories for analysis can take days or weeks, delaying life-saving treatments. Portable labs address this issue by equipping health care workers with the tools to conduct on-site tests. These compact, mobile units, designed for low-resource settings, can perform diagnostic tests within minutes, allowing for immediate disease diagnosis and treatment initiation.

How Portable Labs Work

Portable labs generally consist of compact machines capable of performing various diagnostic tests, revolutionizing health care in remote areas. A well-known portable lab is the GeneXpert System by Cepheid, which provides rapid molecular testing for different diseases, like TB and HIV. This system, requiring minimal training, delivers results in under three hours—a critical feature for timely patient treatment.

Another significant innovation is the SAMBA II machine from Diagnostics for the Real World, designed to diagnose HIV within two hours. It has seen wide deployment across sub-Saharan African clinics, including in Kenya, Uganda and Malawi. The SAMBA II operates without specialized lab infrastructure, making it an ideal solution for resource-limited regions. These devices, powered by battery packs or solar energy, make them highly adaptable to regions with unreliable electricity. They are also compact enough to be transported to remote villages, enabling health care teams to deliver diagnostic services where they are most needed.

Impact of Portable Labs

The use of portable labs for diagnosing diseases in Africa has shown promising results in the fight against diseases like TB and HIV. The introduction of Cepheid’s GeneXpert system in sub-Saharan Africa has led to a marked improvement in early TB detection and treatment, limiting community transmission. Similarly, the SAMBA II enables faster diagnosis and better monitoring of patients, which is essential in regions where health care workers need to track the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapies of HIV-positive patients. Thus, rapid on-site testing provided by portable labs ensures patients remain on the best possible treatment plans, improving health outcomes and reducing transmission rates. 

Looking Forward

As the use of portable labs for diagnosing diseases in Africa expands, the impact on public health is expected to grow. Indeed, governments, NGOs and international health organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of investing in these technologies to combat the continent’s most pressing diseases. These portable labs could become a cornerstone of Africa’s health care system. By making health care more accessible and effective, portable labs are not only saving lives – they are playing a vital role in the broader fight against poverty. Furthermore, by improving health care delivery, portable labs contribute to more resilient, healthier communities, laying the groundwork for long-term poverty alleviation and enabling individuals to break the cycle of poverty by improving health outcomes in some of Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

– Viola Cuthbertson

Viola is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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A Look at Sustainable Agriculture in Bolivia

A Look at Sustainable Agriculture in BoliviaBolivia is nestled between Peru, Brazil and Chile in South America. The country derives 14% of its GDP from agriculture in 2020, while hydrocarbon production and mining contribute significantly more, being four and two times more lucrative, respectively. The country’s small-scale farmers often struggle with limited access to financing, training, technology and support for natural disasters. In response, a project has been implemented to help agriculture in Bolivia adopt more sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet.

Introduction of the Rural Alliances Project

The Rural Alliances Project (PAR), was launched in 2006 with backing from the World Bank Group. The project aims to foster sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity in developing countries. This project’s goal is to refine a model that enhances market access for impoverished rural producers in select pilot regions. The success of PAR hinges on four main pillars: fostering productive alliances across different economic sectors, strengthening rural producers through the development of self-managed grassroots organizations, enhancing access to productive assets and technology and supporting the creation of effective, responsive and accountable local service organizations.

Implementation and Impact of PAR in Bolivia

Participants in the project were selected based on their economic potential and the extent of poverty in their area. Initially, 54 municipalities were chosen, 77% of which had significant Indigenous populations. Later records revealed that 90% of the beneficiaries belonged to these Indigenous groups. The selection criteria included the ability of participants to contribute financially to the subprojects, which served as an indication of their “productive potential.” This approach also provided a means to test the project’s model for improving market access.

PAR Bolivia: Outcomes and Future Prospects

The project identified six key outcomes and learning components:

  1. Small farmers produced higher quality and quantity of crops.
  2. Producer groups managed finances directly with systematic record-keeping and public account presentation, which built trust with the bank.
  3. Stringent quality control during staff and participant selection enhanced project management.
  4. Technological support proved most effective when customized to specific project needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
  5. Government funds distributed via direct deposit fostered greater trust.
  6. Appointing a national coordinator improved the completion rate of project objectives.

These outcomes, validated by surveys of 86 randomly selected producer groups, demonstrate the project’s success. The project led to improvements in product quality and quantity, increased labor productivity, enhanced organizational tactics, higher net incomes and expanded market access. Notably, agricultural sales grew from 28% to 39% on average. Building on this success, the project has secured $300 million to launch another phase of the PAR. The next phase will support approximately 130,000 producers in rural Bolivia. This new phase will focus on food security, introducing innovative practices for resilient and sustainable agriculture and boosting the involvement of female producers.

Looking Ahead

The PAR has equipped rural farmers with new technology and structures, enabling them to adopt more sustainable practices that benefit both the planet and their quality of life. As the project expands, it can potentially empower more producers to succeed and strengthen the rural economy. This growth opens opportunities for other projects to take root, enhancing support for addressing climate challenges and expanding networks of small farmers.

– Isabella Chavez

Isabella is based in Swampscott, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

Turquoise Mountain: Reviving Heritage and Empowering Communities

Turquoise MountainIn regions like Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Middle East, where conflict has ravaged communities, cultural heritage often faces destruction. The loss of historic sites and traditional crafts not only threatens the identity of these communities but also endangers their economic survival. Turquoise Mountain, a nongovernmental organization (NGO), works to counter this. The organization works to revive traditional crafts, restore architectural heritage and provide sustainable livelihoods.

The Origins of Turquoise Mountain

Rory Stewart, a former British politician and diplomat, founded Turquoise Mountain in 2006. His experience in international development, particularly in war-torn regions, shaped the NGO’s mission to protect cultural heritage and create economic opportunities for local artisans. Turquoise Mountain aimed to preserve history while offering a way out of poverty. Stewart frequently references his involvement with the NGO on the podcast “The Rest Is Politics,” where he discusses its ongoing impact in fragile regions.

Reviving Traditional Crafts

A key part of Turquoise Mountain’s mission involves reviving traditional crafts. The organization has trained thousands of artisans in woodworking, ceramics, calligraphy and jewelry-making in Afghanistan, once central to the region’s identity. Many of these artisans come from extreme poverty or displacement and the skills they develop through Turquoise Mountain allow them to support their families while keeping traditions alive. Through access to international markets, Turquoise Mountain creates sustainable job opportunities, helping communities thrive.

Restoring Architectural Heritage

Another major focus of Turquoise Mountain involves restoring historic buildings damaged or neglected due to conflict. The organization has restored more than 150 historic buildings in cities like Kabul, where war destroyed much of the architectural landscape. These buildings, symbols of the region’s rich history, now serve as hubs of community activity. The restoration projects provide jobs for local workers and create spaces for education, health care and cultural exchange.

One of Turquoise Mountain’s most notable achievements is the revival of Murad Khani, a historic district in Kabul. Once a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, Murad Khani had deteriorated after years of war. Under Stewart’s leadership, Turquoise Mountain restored the district’s traditional mud-brick buildings and reestablished it as a thriving artisan community. Today, Murad Khani exemplifies how restoring cultural heritage can drive economic revitalization in conflict zones.

Rory Stewart’s Vision and Influence

Stewart’s leadership has shaped Turquoise Mountain’s approach. His experience as a diplomat and exposure to some of the world’s most dangerous regions gave him insight into how culture can aid in rebuilding societies. Stewart believes cultural preservation can drive economic growth and Turquoise Mountain’s success proves that.

Stewart often shares stories of the organization’s work and challenges on “The Rest Is Politics.” His public profile has brought attention to the importance of cultural preservation in development work, positioning him as a key figure in the global effort to protect cultural heritage.

The Connection to Poverty Alleviation

Cultural preservation may not seem like an obvious way to alleviate poverty, but Turquoise Mountain’s work proves otherwise. By training artisans, restoring historic sites and connecting communities to global markets, the organization has created sustainable economic opportunities where they are most needed.

Turquoise Mountain’s impact is clear in Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Middle East: it creates jobs, supports families and revitalizes communities. As these regions recover from conflict, Turquoise Mountain’s projects lay the foundation for long-term stability by ensuring cultural identity and economic resilience remain intact.

– Harriet Conway

Harriet is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels