Information for MPs, MEPs and decision makers
Practical Action
Practical Action is an international NGO, working directly in four regions of the developing world – Latin America, East Africa, Southern Africa and South Asia, with particular concentration on Peru, Kenya, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. We have over 100 active projects, and in 2009-10 worked with 943,000 direct beneficiaries.
What we do
Through our international work, we demonstrate alternatives, share knowledge and influence change. We aim to tackle the underlying causes of poverty by campaigning to influence policies, institutions and processes, and so achieve greater and more lasting impact from our work.
Practical Action was founded in 1966, as ITDG (the Intermediate Technology Development Group), by the radical economist Dr EF Schumacher to prove that his philosophy of ‘Small is Beautiful’ could bring real and sustainable improvements to people’s lives.
With our commitment to poverty reduction, environmental conservation and technology choice we think Practical Action is uniquely placed to contribute to a world free of poverty.
Related documents
Case studies
Case studies illustrating the results of some of Practical Action's work in east Africa.
Read moreCompany organisation
Practical Action is a registered charity in the UK and a company limited by guarantee, under the direction of a Board of Trustees.
Read moreContact us
Practical Action, East Africa - addresses, telephone numbers and email for our regional headquarters and cluster offices in Lodwar, Mandera, Nakuru and Kisumu.
Read moreDecentralised energy schemes
There are enormous challenges of providing access to modern energy services for the rural poor. A lack of financial resources is not the only constraint; there are numerous other barriers including a lack of technology, a lack of financial mechanisms, and in particular a lack of capacity in the l...
Read moreDocument library - new technologies
Reports, briefings and other publications from Practical Action's new technologies programme.
Read moreEMMA - Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis
The EMMA toolkit is a guidance manual for humanitarian staff in sudden-onset emergencies. It aims to improve emergency responses by encouraging and assisting relief agencies to better understand, support and make use of local market-systems in disaster zones.
Read moreEnergy access ecosystems
Interactive infographic exploring energy access ecosystems, what they are and why it is an important framework for action on energy poverty.
Read moreEnergy Access for All: Project Resources
Page to host project outputs from EC Energy Access for All Project
Read moreEnergy and earning a living
Energy has important connections with earning a living for poor people, but the benefits are not automatic.This interactive infographic explores the key steps and additional support factors it can take to improve incomes through modern energy access and use. Roll your mouse over the diagram to le...
Read moreEnergy documents - policy
Documents on energy policy issues, including the importance of energy access for poverty reduction.
Read moreFood and agriculture documents
From policy reports and briefing documents to case studies and research papers, you will find all documents on food and agriculture here.
Read moreHistory of Practical Action in Eastern Africa
The presence of Practical Action in eastern Africa dates back to mid 1980s when it was registered as a local NGO in Kenya, Intermediate Technology (IT). It has since transformed into a regional office to cover the greater Eastern Africa region.
Read moreHunger, food and agriculture: responding to the ongoing challenges
Practical Action’s values - justice, sustainability, diversity, democracy, and empowerment - describe the components that need to be in place to realise a just and sustainable food system.
Read moreImpact Awards
The 2011 Impact Awards are an excellent demonstration of the Markets and Livelihoods programme’s efforts to build effective and sustainable learning systems to improve the quality, impact and influ...
Improved sanitation and water access for Morrumballa communities
A case study from rural Mozambique showing the impact of provision of improved access to water and sanitation, including safe drinking water from a solar water reticulation system.
Read moreImproved water and sanitation services
Like most slums, the main challenge in Mukuru, Nairobi, is the basic lack of water points and toilets. But the challenges of getting piped water and sanitation services safely are complex. By building relationships between slum residents, local water vendors and the local water company, Practical...
Read moreInterview with Andrew Simms
Energy has important connections with earning a living for poor people, but the benefits are not automatic. This diagram appears in the Poor people's energy outlook 2012: Energy for earning a living report. It highlights the key steps and additional support that poor people may need to imp...
Read more
Practical Action
The Schumacher Centre for Technology & Development
Bourton on Dunsmore
RUGBY
CV23 9QZ
United Kingdom
telephone: +44 (0) 1926 634400
fax: +44 (0) 1926 634401
e-mail: practicalaction@practicalaction.org.uk
