Archive for category: NGOs

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Urban Innovation in Lagos Fights for a Fairer City

Urban Innovation in LagosIn Lagos, rapid urbanization has exacerbated housing shortages and food insecurity. In response to these pressures, community groups and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are reshaping urban innovation in Lagos. Across the city’s informal settlements, grassroots solutions aim to improve food security and expand opportunities for low-income residents.

Urban Poverty and Informal Settlement Dynamics

Lagos is one of Africa’s largest and most densely populated cities. Population estimates range from 16 million to more than 20 million. Rural migrants to Lagos increasingly turn to informal settlements as affordable housing fails to keep pace with population growth. Research finds that Lagos’ slum districts grew to more than 200 by 2023, with more than 70% of the city’s population now living in informal settlements. Poverty remains the primary challenge facing settlement residents.

The latest World Bank statistics show that about 37% of Nigerians live below the national poverty line. This is particularly acute in Lagos, where an estimated two-thirds of residents live on the equivalent of $1 a day. As inflation reached nearly 34% in 2024, food prices increased fivefold. Low-income households, which spend about 70% of their wages on food, face the greatest impact.

Community-Led Solutions

In response to these pressures, community groups are reshaping urban innovation in Lagos through practical programs aimed at improving living conditions in informal settlements. The Okerube Project addresses chronic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) challenges by strengthening community-led systems. The project links women’s water and sanitation committees with community development associations to implement sustainable WASH infrastructure. Using a bottom-up approach, the Okerube Project relies on community governance to ensure infrastructure improvements reflect the needs of settlement residents.

Food Security Initiatives

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has warned of an emerging hunger crisis in Nigeria. Food insecurity remains a major challenge in Lagos’ informal settlements, where residents struggle with high living costs and inflation. In response, local nonprofits such as the Lagos Food Bank Initiative’s Family Farming Program support urban farming to help households produce food and generate income.

Participants receive practical training and starter kits to establish backyard farms for personal consumption and sale. Lagos’ rapid urban development has displaced many residents from agricultural land, causing income loss. The Family Farming Program aims to counter this trend by supporting the revival of small-scale farming livelihoods.

Digital and Technological Innovation

Digital and technological solutions play an important role in urban innovation in Lagos. Technology initiatives such as Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) address social challenges in informal settlements. CcHUB works with scientists, entrepreneurs, government leaders and local residents to support sectors most affected by poverty.

Projects include Re:learn, which works with schools to improve how teachers deliver science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Through Re:learn, CcHUB introduces digital laboratories, modernizes STEM instruction and provides professional development for teachers. By partnering with organizations such as the Mastercard Foundation, CcHUB expands access to STEM education in informal settlements, supporting participation in Lagos’ emerging job markets.

The Future of Urban Innovation in Lagos

As these efforts expand, the future of urban innovation in Lagos is increasingly shaped by policy engagement. State institutions and research bodies are beginning to formalize support for inclusive development by linking grassroots experience with city-level planning. In 2025, the Lagos State Government partnered with the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) to strengthen urban resilience strategies.

These initiatives align future development planning with community-led projects and reflect broader policy efforts to integrate lived experience into responses to complex urban challenges.

Building on the work of community groups and NGOs, these policies connect grassroots initiatives with formal planning processes. With nearly 35 million people facing extreme hunger in Nigeria, Lagos remains a critical site for resilience-building. The growing alignment between policymakers, researchers and community actors suggests that urban transformation can support both infrastructure development and inclusive growth. Urban innovation in Lagos may offer lessons for other emerging megacities across Africa.

– Rory Wesson

Rory is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Laufey Foundation: Uplifting Young Musicians

The Laufey FoundationIcelandic Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Laufey has given back to young musicians from all backgrounds across the world through The Laufey Foundation, a nonprofit that supports youth music programs worldwide.

Background

Known for her musical style that fuses classical, bossa nova and jazz pop, Laufey blends the vintage richness of jazz with modern pop.

She has become admired by Gen Z for her tranquil voice alongside traditional instruments, creating a dreamy, nostalgic feel through her uniquely romantic songs that center around her experience in love, self-identity and more.

She first made her debut with the EP, Typical of Me, in 2021. Since then, she rose as the world’s top streaming jazz artist and won a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop vocal for her 2023 album Bewitched.

The Laufey Foundation

The newly formed Laufey Foundation is a nonprofit that gives youth music programs worldwide access to high quality instruments and equipment and offers financial grants. The foundation’s mission is to uplift youth from all backgrounds by allowing them the opportunities to grow their musical abilities in orchestra programs.

Throughout her life, Laufey has been given the invaluable opportunities of musical education that allowed her to excel and thrive as the celebrated artist that she is today. She credits much of her success to the youth orchestra programs that equipped her with the skills to follow her passion in music.

It was a Presidential Scholarship that allowed her to further her education as a cellist at the Berklee College of Music. With The Laufey Foundation, she intends to give back to young musicians to provide them with the support that once helped her. ”My goal is to bring jazz and classical music to my generation through a more accessible road,” Laufey shared.

These youth orchestra programs provide hundreds of children as young as 5-years-old and as old as 18 with accessible top-quality music education and training that hones their musical talent, no matter where they come from.

Partners

The organization’s website shared that their goal is to “make sure all aspiring musicians have the resources they need, especially through youth orchestras, to reach their full potential.”

So far, The Laufey Foundation’s brand partners include AEG Presents, AWAL, Steinway and Sons, Catbird, Gibson and Warner Chappell Music and continue to grow.

Established in 2025, its mission has only just begun. To create a global impact, the organization seeks to expand beyond U.S. programs to reach youth orchestras across the world as they grow and evolve. The Laufey Foundation’s development will not only be through donors, but Laufey’s charitable efforts.

The organization has since partnered with five youth orchestras after its recent 2025 launch:

  • The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO)
  • The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra
  • The Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA)
  • Global Arts
  • Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 and NYO Jazz

The programs selected have global recognition for its gifted students or aim to support young musicians who lack the resources to nurture their growth. As The Laufey Foundation advances its reach, it will partner with more youth orchestra programs worldwide.

Charitable Efforts

In the early beginnings of The Laufey Foundation, the artist made an initial donation of $100,000 to go toward her “commitment to making a meaningful impact across different sectors of society and culture.”

Laufey dropped her album, A Matter of Time, and championed The Laufey Foundation following its release in August 2025.

In July 2025, she announced a sweepstake for two VIP tickets to Laufey’s Los Angeles show, an exclusive soundcheck experience with Laufey, a signed Gibson guitar and more, travel and hotel included. Every entry went towards The Laufey Foundation.

Additionally, when selling tickets for her A Matter of Time Tour in August 2025, a $1 per ticket donation from the UK, U.S. and European countries raised over $275,000 for The Laufey Foundation.

Art Pieces

She has partnered with Soundwaves Art Foundation and signed art pieces that depict a visual of soundwaves from her famous chart-topping song, “From The Start.” The exclusive hand-signed art collection supported The Laufey Foundation with its profits. What’s more, $1 was donated with each sale of Laufey’s original plushie, Mei Mei. Laufey’s first children’s picture book, Mei Mei The Bunny, had $1 from each book sold go towards the foundation. Everlane has also collaborated with Laufey for a limited edition clothing collection that benefits The Laufey Foundation.

Laufey does not only raise funding for youth orchestra programs but serves as a mentor herself. Throughout her tour, Laufey invited her partnered youth orchestras to several soundchecks. At the soundchecks, the young musicians watched her performances and asked her questions surrounding being a musician.

Global Impact on Young Musicians

Laufey has inspired fans across the world and brought upon a resurgence of traditional jazz and classical music. She sends listeners into a lovesick nostalgia with touching lyrics that warms the heart. Through her passion for music and devotion to sharing it to the future generation of musicians, Laufey is dedicated to expanding access to music opportunities and supporting young artists in any way she can through her platform and influence.

– Caydie Tampac

Caydie is based in Las Vegas, NV, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Thai Handicrafts Online: Selling Culture, Escaping Poverty

Thai Handicrafts Online: Selling Culture, Escaping Poverty Craftsmanship has always been essential to cultural identity and community survival in Thailand’s rural areas, from the silk-weaving villages of Isaan to the silver workshops of Chiang Mai. In 2024, the Thai handicrafts market was valued at $3.63 billion. Handmade goods that represent centuries-old customs allow generations of artisans to support themselves. However, many rural artists find their livelihoods in jeopardy as international markets change and tourism patterns shift.

Thailand’s digital development has provided a new lifeline in recent years. Thai handicrafts are now sold online through social media platforms, e-commerce marketplaces and inexpensive smartphones, which connect rural artists with consumers worldwide. According to a World Bank study, digital technology may spur economic growth by generating more jobs, improving services and increasing productivity. What was once a small-scale, independent exchange is now part of the global digital economy. In addition to increasing revenue, the shift is reshaping what it means to preserve culture in the 21st century.

For many of these craftsmen, the internet serves as a means of escape from poverty rather than merely a platform for sales. Thailand has the second-largest digital economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, accounting for an estimated 6% contribution to its gross domestic product (GDP). Local artisans are transforming tradition into opportunity by bringing Thai handicrafts online.

The Problem: Limited Market Access and Low Income

Thailand’s rural artisans have long been known for their exceptional talent in silk weaving, wood carving and pottery molding. However, many remain impoverished despite their artistic abilities. According to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), 3.43 million Thais with a monthly income of less than 3,078 baht were considered “poor” in 2024. The issue is a lack of opportunities, not a lack of talent.

Due to their remote locations from important trade hubs, rural farmers often face high transportation costs and limited access to reliable markets. In 2020, there were more than 2.3 million rural poor than urban poor, and the poverty rate was more than three percentage points higher in rural areas. Without branding knowledge or language skills to appeal to global buyers, their products struggle outside local markets. As a result, even skilled craftspeople often earn less than the federal minimum wage.

The E-Commerce Revolution

That reality is shifting as Thailand’s e-commerce industry experiences rapid growth. The digital marketplace, expected to reach more than $30 billion by 2025, is changing the way small businesses interact with customers. Thousands of rural business owners now have online stores selling Thai handicrafts through platforms like Shopee, Lazada, Etsy and TikTok Shop. With $684 million in online sales in 2024, Shopee is the largest online retailer in the Thai stationery, crafts and art supplies market.

With e-commerce growth predicted to reach 750 billion baht in 2025, the Department of Business Development is increasing efforts to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt online selling. Communities previously closed off from formal trade now have new economic opportunities. Mobile phones and Wi-Fi connections have become transformative tools in villages once reliant on tourist foot traffic.

This digital transformation reflects a worldwide trend in reducing poverty. E-commerce increasingly serves as an equalizer for small-scale producers across Asia, Africa and Latin America. For every 10-percentage-point increase in mobile broadband usage, GDP initially increases by 0.8%. By connecting rural craftsmen to online markets, countries can pursue inclusive growth beyond urban industrialization. Thailand’s experience demonstrates how local entrepreneurship supported by digital access can contribute to poverty alleviation.

Success Stories: Digital Market Access in Action

All regions of Thailand are seeing the advantages of internet access. Isaan silk cooperatives in the northeast have transformed centuries-old weaving customs into successful online enterprises exporting handcrafted textiles to Japan and Europe. Hill tribe jewelry collectives in the north have drawn international attention by selling on Etsy, where buyers value originality and skilled craftsmanship. Meanwhile, small business owners participating in the One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) initiative have expanded their audience on TikTok Shop by using short videos as marketing tools. According to PCMI predictions, internet sales reached $38.5 billion in 2024 and are expected to rise to $58.5 billion by 2027.

Obstacles and Inequality

The advantages of e-commerce are still not equitably shared. High shipping costs, poor logistics networks and rural internet shortages continue to limit artisans’ ability to earn money online. Digital literacy remains a major barrier. Some producers rely on younger family members or middlemen to manage their online listings, leaving them vulnerable to unfair practices or irregular sales. According to an NESDC poll, 64.7% of people have below-average literacy skills, and 74.1% have below-average digital skills.

Experts are advocating for local e-commerce hubs and community-based digital ambassadors who offer shared resources such as Wi-Fi, photography studios and online marketing support. In the absence of such support, the digital gap risks reinforcing the barriers it seeks to dismantle. The National Citizen Digital Competency (NCDC) program aims to train 1,000 senior citizens nationally by 2024. Its goal is to raise Thai residents’ digital competency to an average evaluation score of 80 by 2027.

Policy and NGO Solutions

Governments and nonprofits have begun addressing these issues through initiatives that combine digital inclusion with poverty alleviation. With the expansion of its online presence, Thailand’s One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) initiative provides local manufacturers with a state-supported platform to sell Thai handicrafts globally. Additionally, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with Thai authorities to deliver digital and financial literacy training for rural entrepreneurs.

Private-sector organizations have also taken action. Thousands of women artisans have benefited from Facebook’s #SheMeansBusiness Thailand initiative, using social media to create online businesses and access new revenue streams. These efforts form part of a broader plan to empower craftspeople through financing, capacity-building and digital inclusion. Experts advise continued investment in logistics infrastructure, affordable digital training and microloans that support sustainable business growth.

Digital Markets as Gateways to Dignity

Technology is more than innovation to Thailand’s rural craftsmen; it is access, empowerment and opportunity. Every digital payment, online store and smartphone connection brings rural artisans closer to financial independence. Across Thailand, local craftsmen are redefining livelihoods by turning traditional craftsmanship into sustainable online businesses.

The growth of the e-commerce market shows that expanding opportunities is as important to poverty alleviation as providing aid. Furthermore, Thailand’s experience offers a model for inclusive growth as digital infrastructure expands and more craftsmen acquire the skills needed to participate. Every handcrafted basket, woven scarf or silver bracelet sold online carries a piece of Thai culture and demonstrates how digital marketplaces can support dignity and opportunity.

– Katelyn Leano

Katelyn is based in Plainfield, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Success Story: Ending Extreme Poverty in Cabo Verde

Poverty in Cabo VerdeCabo Verde, a small island nation located approximately 300 miles off the west coast of Africa, is on the verge of eradicating extreme poverty.

Poverty in Cabo Verde

The country of more than 520,000 people struggled economically for years after gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, but is now prospering. Between 2015 and 2022, the percentage of the population living in extreme poverty declined by more than 50%. Although Cabo Verde’s success story has not come without challenges, such as an economic setback during the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation continues to make steady progress toward its goal of ending extreme poverty by 2026.

The Strategies Behind Cabo Verde’s Success

Several factors have contributed to Cabo Verde’s progress. The initiatives below highlight how government and nongovernmental organizations have played key roles in helping the nation combat extreme poverty.

  • National Strategy for the Eradication of Extreme Poverty (ENEPE) 2022–2026. Launched in response to the economic downturn caused by the 2020 pandemic, this initiative focuses on reducing inequality through investments in infrastructure, education and direct support for vulnerable populations.
  • Transport Sector Reform Project. This project focuses on rehabilitating roads across the country, connecting once-isolated communities in Cabo Verde. Improved infrastructure has made it easier for people to access health care and education while ensuring safer transport of goods nationwide.
  • Access to Finance for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Project. This initiative has been especially valuable following the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic slowdown. It provides financial support to small and medium-sized businesses, helping them recover and expand.
  • Education and Skills Development Enhancement Project. This initiative has awarded scholarships and grants to about 2,000 young people aged 18 to 30 across Cabo Verde, helping to expand opportunities and reduce youth unemployment.

A Model for Africa and Beyond

Cabo Verde’s journey shows that even small nations can achieve significant progress when policies prioritize people, education and equal opportunity. While challenges remain, the nation’s success demonstrates that extreme poverty can be overcome through inclusive growth, strategic investments and strong partnerships. As Cabo Verde continues to build on its achievements, it stands as a beacon of hope for its citizens and for nations across Africa and the world striving for a brighter, more equitable future.

– Fernanda Nilson

Fernanda is based in North Charleston, SC, US and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Upcycling Plastic Feeds People in India

How Upcycling Plastic Feeds People in India Hunger is a persistent issue in cities like Ambikapur, Central India, but the hungry population of India has been presented with a solution. In a population of people suffering from food insecurity, upcycling is a means of nourishing vulnerable populations. As of 2025, people in Ambikapur embrace upcycling by using plastic as a form of currency that is exchanged for food. The plastic material is recycled to make new products. From an economic standpoint, impoverished people go hungry because they have little to no income, so they do not have the means to purchase food. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Rashmi Mondal shares how upcycling plastic addresses hunger: “I can get food for my family in exchange for the plastic I collect. It makes all the difference in our lives.”

Strategic Investment in Food Insecurity Initiatives

At the government level, the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) sanitation budget allocated funds toward a service called the Garbage Café. In 2019, this café served as a vehicle for reducing excessive plastic waste and serving food to homeless people in the city of Ambikapur. Government intervention has reduced the level of plastic waste in the country.

Over the past decade, the government has focused its efforts on the high level of plastic waste, ultimately implementing programs that inspire change in communities. Ambikapur had 226 tons of plastic pollution in 2024. As of 2025, the city has recycled almost all plastic waste in the area. According to The Economic Times, 170 nations approved the international treaty to end plastic pollution in 2023, making progress at the international level.

Current Climate Toward Upcycling Plastic

Millions of citizens have participated in giving away recyclable items. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) center initiatives include “The three-week campaign imaginatively named, ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Sheher,’ is marked by significant mass mobilization, including the youth, SHGs, NGOs, market bodies, RWAs, startups, voluntary groups and celebrities.” Both NGOs and businesses have effectively mobilized people to participate in tackling the excessive plastic waste in the subcontinent.

India successfully engages the homeless population to clean up the plastic waste in cities, creating a solution for two major problems: hunger and pollution. Hungry people in India eat hot meals in exchange for their plastic at places like the Garbage Café, which feeds more than 20 people per day. While upcycling plastic waste, including water bottles and bags, is recycled to make material for new roads or brought to plastic waste facilities. In turn, it makes government income.

Upcycling Plastics Initiatives in India

India prioritized the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, which addresses sustainability, resource management and climate change. Similarly, Swachh Bharat made an impact by expanding public sanitation. “The natural and mutually beneficial nexus between SBM and mission LiFE is unmistakable. Both are anchored to RRR – reduce, reuse and recycle – to achieve their objectives: clean cities and sustainable development, while providing a mainstay to the circular economy.” The BBC reports that the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban has seen plastic in landfills reach two tons per year in 2024.

How Repurposing Plastic Cleans Up Communities

A variety of people from different backgrounds reduce their community pollution levels by bringing plastic waste to collection centers, while government organizations like the Garbage Café distribute upcycled plastic to be made into new products. Recycling efforts reduce plastic waste in cities and landfills, making local communities a cleaner place to live, and most importantly, preventing low-income populations from experiencing malnutrition.

Another by-product of these services is the creation of jobs in India. Collection centers employ hundreds of women to separate waste for processing. India is actively improving its environment by reducing plastic in landfills through controlled consumption, thus releasing lower amounts of waste into the disposal system. Environmental conditions in Indian communities improved with the addition of RRR centers, inspiring similar initiatives, including zero-waste events.

Since employees at collection centers manage waste without hygiene support, processing surplus plastic presents health and safety challenges to staff. Standard supplies are not enough to prevent health complications caused by exposure to toxic waste. Professor Minal Pathak observed that staff may come in direct contact with bacteria without standard protective gear.

The Ambikapur Mission City Level Federation emphasized the significance of the women’s work at the waste facility, stating, “The centers have collected and recycled approximately 50,000 tons of dry waste such as plastic, paper/cardboard, metals and e-waste since they began in 2016.” The state of Chhattisgarh scaled the process of upcycling plastic through door-to-door collection of discarded plastic materials throughout the state.

Looking Ahead

While efforts to eliminate plastic waste have created a positive chain of events, Siliguri in West Bengal, India, provides meals for people who bring plastic. Adding to the upcycling plastic trend, Mulugu in Telangana state trades rice for a kilogram of plastic, while state-funded organizations serve free breakfast. The expansion of upcycling plastic programs designed to supply food to people living in poverty has resulted in additional Garbage Cafés in New Delhi. When campaigns shift public perception, collaboration between private citizens, government and NGOs increases community engagement, pushing India closer to combating hunger and waste with its continued support.

– Lala McCullough

Lala is based in Brentwood, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Poverty in Ghana: How Al-Ayn is Working to Solve It

Child Poverty in GhanaGhana is a West African nation with Côte d’Ivoire to its west, Burkina Faso to its north, Togo to its east and the Atlantic Ocean to its south. Ghana is a low-income state, and children are particularly affected by poverty. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), three-quarters of Ghanaian children are deprived in at least three dimensions of poverty. Al-Ayn is an organization that works with children across the world to bring them out of poverty and has recently started working in Ghana. It addresses poverty in a multidimensional sense, focusing on numerous areas rather than just income.

How Poverty Affects Children in Ghana

  • Health. In Ghana, one in 17 children do not survive to adulthood. This is largely due to disease and malnutrition, facilitated by overburdened and ineffective infrastructure. In 2018, 97.4% of children under five years old who were malnourished were classed as underweight, wasting or stunted. This shows that food security is a problem for young children. Alongside malnutrition, child labor has a negative effect on children’s health. More than 20% of children between 5 and 17 years old engage in child labor, mostly in the cocoa business where they are exposed to dangerous chemicals such as mercury.
  • Education. Education is important for Ghanaian children because it can allow them to pull themselves out of poverty in adulthood. However, Ghana’s rapid population growth has caused significant overcrowding in classrooms, limiting the effectiveness of education. Ghana’s literacy rate is around 80%, which is high compared to other African countries, but only 47% of Ghanaian children complete lower secondary education. Although primary education and, to an extent, secondary education are both free, major inequality remains.
  • Housing and Sanitation. Living conditions are closely linked to both health and education for children in Ghana. Many impoverished children live in unhygienic and sometimes dangerous conditions. Lack of clean drinking water causes the spread of diseases such as cholera and various parasitic infections. Beyond the immediate effects of disease, this also disrupts children’s education. Unreliable housing and sanitation negatively affect children later in life, stunting immune system growth and impeding development.

The Impacts of Al-Ayn

Al-Ayn is a nongovernmental organization that has worked with children, particularly orphans, around the world who are living in poverty. It focuses on these children because they are among the most vulnerable members of society. Al-Ayn was influential in Iraq, helping more than 170,000 orphaned children gain access to housing, education and health care.

Al-Ayn has been tackling child poverty in Ghana since 2021. Its focus is on the multidimensional nature of poverty, addressing it from multiple angles. Al-Ayn focuses on health care, education, housing and sanitation. Although separate, these areas are closely linked and work together to improve the environment in which impoverished children grow up.

Al-Ayn is largely a boots-on-the-ground organization, directly involving itself with orphaned children in particular. As of 2023, more than 160 orphans in Ghana have been supported by Al-Ayn through safe housing and sanitation, reliable health care and effective education. Another important way Al-Ayn has been helping children and families in Ghana is by assisting them in obtaining legal documentation. This gives them a better chance of receiving education, health care and employment. Legal documentation also makes children and families eligible for government programs, which can help lift them out of poverty.

Looking Ahead

Child poverty in Ghana is a national problem that affects millions of children across the country. However, Al-Ayn’s work offers reason for optimism. Its multidimensional approach, combined with its continued commitment, is helping improve the lives of children in Ghana.

– Oliver Evans

Oliver is based in Devon, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Changing Climate and Poverty in Fiji

Poverty in FijiFiji, long celebrated as a South Pacific paradise, now faces the growing threat of changing weather patterns, a crisis that endangers both its land and its citizens. With more than 75% of the population living along the coast and about half living below the national poverty line, many Fijians cannot afford the home adaptations or relocations needed to ensure their safety. This leaves impoverished communities especially vulnerable. 

Cyclone Winston: A Devastating Wake-Up Call

In 2016, Cyclone Winston, the most powerful cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, destroyed much of Fiji overnight. The storm claimed 44 lives, critically injured hundreds, and damaged 88 of the country’s 124 health facilities. With estimated economic losses of $1.3 billion, thousands were left homeless. As of 2025, many communities are still rebuilding homes, infrastructure and livelihoods.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that damage caused by rising sea levels could cost Fiji an average of 1.8% of its GDP annually between 2020 and 2050. For many already living in poverty in Fiji, the economic efforts required for recovery remain a persistent challenge as these events become increasingly frequent.

The Borgen Project spoke with Grace Chang, the Fiji Partnership Manager at ThinkPacific, a social enterprise that collaborates with local partners to develop community initiatives. Chang said, “Many affected communities are still rebuilding infrastructure, homes and livelihoods. Cyclone Winston highlights the need for stronger disaster preparedness and resilience in vulnerable areas, which continues to shape recovery and support programs.”

Humanitarian Initiatives

The Fijian government and international organizations are working to address poverty while strengthening communities’ resilience to the changing climate. Cash transfer systems, anticipatory frameworks and mental health services have been established to help the nation’s poorest citizens recover from and prepare for future challenges.

To help vulnerable populations weather economic shocks after natural disasters, the Fijian government, alongside the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has begun piloting the parametric insurance program. This program is designed to ensure that low-income households in Fiji can afford to cover the costs of any damage caused during extreme weather events. The aim is for registered households to receive a cash payout directly to their bank accounts immediately after the disaster strikes so they can rebuild and recover swiftly from any damages. This rapid payout system ensures funds are readily available post-destruction, allowing for timely recovery.

Anticipatory Action Framework

In November 2023, the Fijian government, in partnership with the United Nations, introduced the Anticipatory Action Framework for Tropical Cyclones, relying on meteorological forecasts to predict a cyclone’s impact on vulnerable communities. A “trigger” mechanism has been designed to release pre-arranged funding, which will be made available promptly to humanitarian actors to ensure those most affected can access the resources they need.

When activated, the framework’s pre-planned interventions include:

  • Distributing safe shelter kits
  • Providing boat-strengthening kits to fishing communities
  • Pre-positioning educational materials for schools
  • Distributing food and cash to families facing impending storms

By acting before a storm strikes, the Anticipatory Action Framework ensures that vulnerable communities are not just responding to disaster but are protected and empowered to withstand it.

The Importance of Mental Health

Humanitarian aid organizations have also recognized that the physical rebuilding of Fiji must go hand in hand with emotional recovery, especially for those living in poverty who are least able to absorb the shocks of climate disasters. Cyclones devastate homes and livelihoods, leaving communities even more economically vulnerable than before.

Chang again stated, “The increasing frequency and severity of climate events have caused stress, anxiety and trauma, particularly for those who have lost homes, land or family members. Many community members face ongoing uncertainty about future disasters.”

For the poorest families, these stresses are compounded by financial insecurity. Lost crops, damaged fishing equipment and destroyed homes often mean they struggle to rebuild their lives. In response, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as Empower Pacific have been providing trauma counseling and psychological first aid to those who cannot afford private care. The Fiji Red Cross has also expanded its mental health and psychosocial support programs, emphasizing that true recovery must address both physical damage and emotional well-being.

A Beacon of Resilience and Hope

Despite all the devastation, there is hope for this island nation. Fiji shows that even in the face of incredible destruction, hope persists. The changing climate remains a growing threat, but with the support of humanitarian organizations and government efforts, it is never too late to help those living in poverty in Fiji.

– Niamh Trinder

Niamh is based in Leicester, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Smaller INGOs in Honduras and Beyond

Smaller INGOS in Honduras and BeyondWith the recent federal cuts to world aid funding in the United States (U.S.), smaller international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) have both felt the strain and shown a particular resiliency. Melanie Gibbons, who has worked with the Lutheran World Relief and merger company Corus for more than 20 years, has witnessed the benefits of smaller INGOs. She highlights how working locally, collaborating with other INGOs, operating on a smaller scale and maintaining the “nimble” qualities of a small organization can be an asset in the nonprofit sector.

Honduras’ Smaller INGOs and Tuition-Free School

In Honduras, just 38% of high school students graduate. At El Hogar, a tuition-free school supported by international aid, that number jumps to 92%. After years of work, helping with the world’s poorest countries, INGOs of all sizes have realized the importance of working locally in order to accomplish sustainable progress in a region, avoid unnecessary power struggles, honor the people that they are serving and get to root causes. And working locally often means working smaller. “And this is where the benefit of the larger organizations, working with the smaller organizations, is so good,” Gibbons says. “Because these smaller organizations who are right there in and their communities will know more quickly where needs are shifting, or what is most culturally appropriate or needed.” 

The Goal of Any Good Aid Organization

The goal of any good aid organization, Gibbons says, is to put themselves out of business. She lifts up the example of Splash International, an organization that provides water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in high need cities throughout the world. It plans to accomplish its implementation goals and close its doors in 30 years and it is on track to see that happen.  

“Those relationships are what will create the ability to scale later, to pivot quickly and to meet the right needs at the right time. So the relationships are crucial.” Fundraising is a matter of relationships, which are a matter of trust and working locally. Often, working more intimately creates relationships that can last for a long time and create generational change in different regions. Gibbons emphasized that fundraising ultimately comes down to relationships, with trust as the foundation.

In her view, smaller organizations that work locally and closely with communities are especially positioned to develop long-term bonds. Those connections, she noted, can create ripple effects that last for generations. At the same time, she acknowledged that smaller INGOs face challenges—such as limited visibility and resources—which makes collaboration with larger organizations essential for sustaining impact.

Building Trust Quicker

Smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond are flexible in relational terms, as well. Able to form relationships and build trust more rapidly than larger organizations. An example of this is Splash International’s work in Addis Ababa. The organization started with government schools in implementing WASH solutions like water fountains, child-friendly toilets, and hand-washing stations. After implementing them in all of the government schools, with the help of the local government, it is scaling up and reaching out to the housing and business sectors in the region. “And this I would say that that gets back to the question of scale,” Gibbons said, “and how sometimes we underestimate the smaller organizations’ role in sector solutions. They have the ability to try new things and learn quickly at a smaller scale and then translate those learnings into larger investments that can be multiplied.”

Another benefit of smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond is the collaboration that takes place among the organizations. “I think for the most part it’s a very supportive environment,” Gibbons said about the collaboration between small organizations. “Executive directors of small organizations know that they need each other. We’re always learning from each other and being supported.” Though sometimes they are vying for the same money from funders, “There’s more collaboration than competition,” Gibbons said. 

Having an Abundance Mindset is Crucial

Overall, one of the biggest assets of running, or working for, smaller INGOs is the ability to revamp the system in creative ways. Gibbons believes there’s enough out there to provide for the needs of the poorest and neediest in the world. “I really do, in my heart, believe that there’s enough for everyone, not only to survive but to thrive. The sector has some opportunities to be creative and think differently, and that’s exciting to be part of. I’m grateful to have the chance to be part of the solutions.” While she hurts for all who are hurting because of the budget cuts, she also sees a window for positive growth and change within the INGOs sector. 

Looking Ahead

Because of their ability to work locally, work collaboratively and work creatively, smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond are making a big difference in providing important humanitarian aid to the world. The landscape of world aid is going through a shift, and smaller INGOs are providing relief where it is needed and working at a smaller scale and in a nimbler way to provide scalable solutions.

– Gregory Walker

Gregory is based in York, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Maya Pedal: Bikes Transforming Lives in Guatemala

maya pedalIn a small, rural and predominantly Indigenous town in Guatemala, one NGO has found a new way to generate electricity whilst keeping costs low and fitness levels high. Maya Pedal began in 1997 in San Andrés Itzapa, 50 kilometres from Guatemala City, and takes old bikes which have been donated from the US and Canada and either sells them or repurposes them into bicimaquinas (bike machines). Local people and businesses then use these machines as makeshift water pumps, corn degrainers and blenders, among other things.

The name refers to the significant Indigenous population in Guatemala, who are primarily of Mayan descent, whilst ‘pedal’ has the same meaning in English. Mayans made up just under half of the national population, but studies suggest they remain one of the poorest and most oppressed groups in the country.

Local Projects

Not only do the bicimaquinas save local people money, time and effort, they also help some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the area by providing work and a sense of purpose.

Women for Development in Action is a local organization that enables women to grow their own aloe plants before using the bicimaquina as a blender and producing shampoo. As Ana María Guch explains, “First, we cut the aloe, then we take off the skin, cut it into little pieces and put it in the blender. Next, we pedal!” The profits they make from selling their shampoo go towards supporting their families and funding their reforestation project.

Another organisation, Women’s Group for AZUCENA, supports women as they produce their own animal feed by using the bicimaquina as a corn degrainer. Aside from their agricultural projects, the organisation also runs Spanish literacy classes for Indigenous women, giving them a better chance of integrating into society and improving their social mobility, Maya Pedal reports on its website.

Mario Juarez, Director of Maya Pedal, also explains the environmental benefits of creating the bicimaquinas: “I believe with what we do we contribute a little to reduce the damage that as human beings we do to the planet.”

International Impact

Maya Pedal has received international acclaim for its innovative bicimaquinas – as Carlos Enrique Marroquin, Head of Maya Pedal, outlines: “We do not have to do any advertising, because the machine speaks for itself – and as such, the NGO receives volunteer engineers, translators and bike mechanics from all over the world.”

It has also made its machine designs free and available to download anywhere in the world, so that anyone can access them and learn to build and use them themselves, creating a brighter, more environmentally friendly future for everyone, starting with the Maya community in San Andrés Itzapa.

– Elsa Tarring

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

Photo: Flickr

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Initiatives to Empower Ukrainian Women Through Entrepreneurship

Ukrainian WomenImpact Force is a women-founded Ukrainian nongovernmental organization (NGO) that supports vulnerable groups with skills and resources. It helps small and medium-sized businesses grow sustainably and advises government bodies on reforms that promote transparency and inclusion.

Its program, “Dream and Achieve,” launched in 2023, has recently finalized its second cohort. The initiative was created to empower Ukrainian women through entrepreneurship. It receives support from international organizations like U.N. Women and government institutions such as France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Hope Amid Loss

Nina Levchuk and Olga Diakova are the co-leaders of the Dream and Achieve program on business development. The project emerged in response to the rising unemployment and the negative impact the Russian invasion had on women’s role in the economy. The program is designed to support those affected by war struggles, including internally displaced people, veterans and single mothers and to empower Ukrainian women through entrepreneurship.

The initiative offers a three-month training in digital marketing, socially responsible business models and strategies and personal mentorship. It also gives participants $1000 in financial assistance for their entrepreneurship initiatives.

Success Stories

The training and valuable insights have helped many women to take a bold step, whether launching a new business or reshaping the strategy of an existing one. Despite the different motivations, the program participants agree that Dream and Achieve has guided them to success.

  • Olena Vlasynevych is the wife of a veteran and also a yoga and meditation instructor. She founded Ashram Spokoiu to help women through stress and loss. Through the program, she refined her focus on women above 40 seeking harmony, strengthening her business vision. She’s expanding her offerings with new products, retreats and a solid online presence.
  • Anastasiia Filonenko created FILOCERA, a ceramics and sculpture brand that channels emotion through art. Her works decorate homes and restaurants, serving both domestic and therapeutic purposes. Thanks to Dream and Achieve, she relaunched her Etsy store and reached global customers.
  • Aliona Demchenko was relocated from Balky to Dnipro with her child. She launched Veseli Lystochky, a reusable notebook brand that combines learning and playing. They support children’s logic and memory development. After attending the Dream and Achieve program, she doubled her profits. She also gained skills in customer relationship management (CRM) and marketplaces. Now, her next goal is to open a child development center.

Impacts of the 2023 Cohort

The program received more than 1,000 applications, from which 80 women were selected. At the beginning of the program, 75% of the women hoped to acquire skills in using online platforms and e-commerce tools. By the end, 98% assured having improved their knowledge and skills in business management and the digital economy. Beyond training, the program came to be a boost to participants’ businesses. More than 32% reported an improvement in income and financial stability.

Many participants described the experience as inspirational and hope for more women to benefit from it. The initiative demonstrates a powerful truth: the first step in rebuilding a country needs people who dare to dream big.

– Sara Arias Saiz

Sara is based in Leipzig, Germany and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr