Our international programmes

Practical Action works with poor communities to help them choose and use technology to improve their lives for today and generations to come. We focus our efforts, skills and resources around four international programmes:

Reducing vulnerability We help reduce the vulnerability of poor people affected by natural disasters, conflict and environmental degradation.		Making markets work for the poor We help poor people to make a better living - by enabling producers to improve their production, processing and marketing.		Improving access to services We help poor communities gain access to basic services - water, sanitation, housing and electricity.		New technologies We help poor communities respond to the challenges of new technologies, helping them to access effective technologies that can change lives forever.

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. Through our campaigning and advocacy, Practical Action aims to achieve greater and more lasting impact from its work.
• Our Technical Information Service, Practical Answers, aims to provide a means of accessing the wealth of technical information held by Practical Action, through technical briefs or the resource centre.
• Our Education unit offers a range of support services for teachers and young people in the UK looking to address sustainable development within their teaching and learning.
• Lessons from Practical Action's grassroots experience are also spread through consultancy services and publishing activities.