What we do
Reducing poverty through technology
Practical Action works with communities to find practical solutions to the poverty they face. Technology has a vital role to play in building livelihoods - and technology can include physical infrastructure, machinery and equipment, but also knowledge, skills and the capacity to organise and use all of these.
We currently have over 100 projects worldwide. In 2010-11 we used technology to directly benefit over 946,000 poor women and men through projects in 13 countries. In addition to this, our consultancy and educational work and the Practical Answers technical information service extend the reach of our practical approach to tackling poverty.
Technologies and approaches
Climate change
Around the world, Practical Action is working with people to help them adapt to the effects of climate change.
Disaster risk reduction
If people are sufficiently prepared, and have the capacity to cope and recover quickly, droughts, floods and even earthquakes need not be a disaster.
Energy for poverty reduction
A life without energy condemns people to a life of poverty. One quarter of the world’s population are forced to live without energy - and lives are devastated as ill health and poor educat...
Food and agriculture
Practical Action's work with small scale farmers and pastoralists aims to help them increase their food production capacity.
Infrastructure
Locally-managed, sustainable and decentralised services for affordable water, sanitation, housing and energy.
New technologies
We help poor communities respond to the challenges of new technologies, helping them to access effective technologies that can change lives forever.
Recovery and reconstruction
Reconstruction after natural disasters or conflict needs to be focused on the needs of the poorest.
Urban poverty
Practical Action is working with urban communities to helpin families find solutions to the problems arising from the environment in which they live.
Waste management
As is the case with so many countries in the developing world, rapid urbanisation has placed a considerable strain on urban services, such as solid waste management.
Water and sanitation
Lack of access to adequate water supplies and sanitation means people’s lives are at risk.
