Problem & Solution
The Vastness of Rural Poverty
India is recognised globally as an economic powerhouse. But whilst significant gains have been made over the last 20 years, much of this wealth generation has been inequitable, with 600 million living in rural villages, either below or just above the poverty line.
‘ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE’, IS STILL POVERTY!
Whilst official poverty rates in India fell from 45% of the population in 1994 to 25% in 2022, those that have ‘come out of poverty’ still live in dire and difficult circumstances. In fact, 56% of the population of India are rural families that do not have a level of income to enable them to live a decent quality of life, rather than just bare subsistence.
WHAT DO RURAL FAMILIES NEED?
The income level of a rural family needs to be sufficient enough to enable them to meet 8 basic household needs:
FOOD
ENERGY
HOUSING
DRINKING WATER
SANITATION
HEALTHCARE
EDUCATION
SOCIAL SECURITY
LIVELIHOODS IS THE KEY!
It sounds simple … It’s not! Livelihoods is a multi-faceted issue, and is so much more than just the impart of skills and education. In fact, in order for any person to earn a livelihood they require 5 sets of capital to support them. To prosper, rural families need ALL of these things and more, to support them in earning a livelihood. If just one of them topples, the building blocks begin to fall.
NATURAL CAPITAL
HUMAN CAPITAL
PHYSICAL CAPITAL
SOCIAL CAPITAL
FINANCIAL CAPITAL
Source: Livelihood Asset Pentagon of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
ACF’S SOLUTION
ACF’s programs support a family in their journey from poverty to prosperity. With almost 3 decades of experience in remote community development, we have seen first-hand, how support across these 6 thrust areas can transform the lives of rural families and communities.
WATER
AGRICULTURE
SKILL
HEALTH
WATER
EDUCATION
KNOWLEDGE
CAPACITY BUILDING
CROSS CUTTING THEMES
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP PARTICIPATION
GENDER
We build people’s institutions to ensure the equitable and sustainable management of all community projects. Farmer Producer Companies, Women’s Federations, SHGs, Cooperatives, Water User Associations, School Management Committees, Village Development Committees … we believe the key to sustainable change comes when people are in the driver’s seat.