News
New from Practical Action
Changes to this website April 2011
Practical Action's website has had a full overhaul, with a new look and extra functionality and interactivity, while still retaining all our most popular features.
Practical Action group strategy March 2011
We are starting work on our 2012-17 Group Strategy and would like to invite you to contribute your thinking to the development of Practical Action. Take the survey »
Rebuilding livelihoods in Sri Lanka February 2011
Practical Action is providing fishing craft and gear to fishing communities in the war-affected north of Sri Lanka.
Donate your fat? January 2011
Could donating excess fat really solve poverty? A provocative new video from Practical Action aims to get people thinking about development in a different way.
Small is Beautiful by Anna de la Vega January 2011
Launching this month in Nottingham, an intimate photographic portrayal of rural Nepal demonstrating how the work of Practical Action is sustaining indigenous peoples' livelihoods through the use of appropriate technologies. Further information | Central Gallery, Nottingham
Floods hit eastern Sri Lanka January 2011
Severe flooding is affecting communities with whom Practical Action is working in the eastern province of Sri Lanka.
Brighter futures for drought-stricken families January 2011
Solar-powered water pumps are a clever way of providing thousands of people with access to clean water in drought-affected areas of Northern Kenya. With your generous support, Practical Action works together with local people to achieve a truly life-saving solution.
Keystone Accountability Report January 2011
As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability to those we work with Practical Action was very pleased to have an opportunity to take part in a large scale survey of local NGO opinion of international NGO performance.
2010
Independent on Sunday Christmas appeal December 2010
Practical Action is proud to have been selected for the Independent on Sunday's Christmas Appeal. You'll be able to read more about us every week in the newspaper until January 2nd.
Donate now | Watch videos and read about how your money can help
UN climate change talks in Cancun December 2010
Without action on climate change, we're facing a 4�C rise in temperature and disaster for the world's poorest people. Practical Action were at the UN talks in Cancun, to focus specifically on 'adaptation' - more funding, more fairly delivered, more focused on the most vulnerable. Reports from our team on the blog
Poor People's Energy Outlook 2010 November 2010
A new report from Practical Action presents the perspective of those living in energy poverty and those for whom energy access has been life changing. It will be of interest to anyone seeking to better understand energy access and its role in development at a human scale.
London-on-Sea? Alternative Tube map shows the impact of climate change November 2010
Research has shown that large areas of London could be underwater by 2100 as a direct result of climate change. Practical Action has released an alternative tube map that highlights the impact that climate change and rising sea levels could have on the capital.
Why World Toilet Day matters November 2010
Every 15 seconds a child dies, somewhere in the world, because of contaminated drinking water. In a new blog for Practical Action, writer and broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis explains why World Toilet Day matters.
World Urban Campaign November 2010
Practical Action has recently signed up as a member of the World Urban Campaign, an initiative of UN-Habitat. The key message of the campaign is the need for creative, resilient, sustainable cities and communities.
A package of solutions that will hit hunger hard November 2010
Flash flooding has washed away hundreds of homes in north-west Bangladesh. Massive erosion has destroyed many people's livelihoods and some of the poorest families have almost nothing left to eat - and it is the women, children and disabled people who are suffering the most.
Video: Resilient livelihoods reduce disasters in Bangladesh October 2010
This new video from our work in Bangladesh shows how putting poor people's livelihoods first can help them cope with potential disasters such as floods and river erosion.
ELLA - Evidence and Lessons from Latin America October 2010
ELLA is an ambitious new DFID programme, in partnership with Practical Action, to communicate knowledge of innovative Latin American development policies and practices.
Face Up to Four Degrees September 2010
Without action we're facing a 4�C rise in temperature for the world's poorest people. Join thousands of people using their heads to urge Mr Cameron to 'face up to 4�C'. Take action now »
South Asia annual report September 2010
Practical Action South Asia's Annual Report for 2010, including case studies from our work in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, is now available to download.
Nepal annual report September 2010
Practical Action Nepal's Annual Report for 2010, including a financial statement and a detailed summary of all our project work, is now available to download.
The Characteristics of a Disaster Resilient Community September 2010
The second edition of this guidance note for organizations working on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation initiatives with vulnerable communities. It shows what a 'disaster-resilient community' might look like, and provides practical ideas about how to progress towards this ideal.
Appropriate options for recovery & reconstruction - learning from South Asia September 2010
An e-discussion on how to contextualize regional knowledge to suit to different contexts of Pakistan rebuilding. We look forward to your enthusiastic participation to share your valuable insights and experience with our colleagues in Pakistan
Start - a garden party to make a difference September 2010
We're delighted to be supporting Start - a garden party to make a difference. This exciting event is a rare opportunity to visit the historic gardens of Clarence House, Lancaster House and Marlborough House in London to help celebrate and promote sustainable living.
Help Quechuan communities live healthier more secure lives September 2010
Some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Peru could benefit from technologies such as bio-sand filters, eco-latrines, improved stoves and solar power.
The Small is... Festival September 2010
The Small is… Festival was a celebration and evolution of the ideas of Small is Beautiful, held at the start of September in the beautiful grounds of the international development charity Practical Action, in the Warwickshire countryside.
Sustainable energy in action August 2010
Practical Action is participating at the Vidulka exhibition organized by Sri Lanka's Sustainable Energy Authority and the Ministry of Power and Energy.
EF Schumacher centenary August 2010
2011 sees the 100th anniversary of the birth of economist E.F. Schumacher, founder of Practical Action. A new website celebrates his life and work, and visitors are invited to share stories, pictures and memories of Schumacher and discuss how and why he has influenced them.
Africa's smallholder farmers July 2010
A new report from Practical Action and other NGOs emphasises the need to support and prioritise smallholder farmers in Africa, and to provide the right kind of support that enables them to strengthen agriculture and livelihoods over the long term.
Consensus Building with Participatory Action Plan Development July 2010
This guide, adapted and tested by Practical Action in Bangladesh and Sudan, sets out an approach to community planning that intends to build local consensus to help people manage and improve their livelihood options.
Community-Based Adaptation Workshop July 2010
This workshop in London offers an opportunity for practitioners new to community-based adaptation to build their capacity, and for those with experience to share findings and discuss emerging issues in this vital area of work.
Addressing Food Security in Sudan June 2010
From donkey ploughs and agricultural tools to dams and terraces to collect scarce rainwater, a new video provides an overview of Practical Action's food security project work in Sudan.
Towards Resilient Cities June 2010
A new booklet on engaging the urban poor from Practical Action South Asia, with case studies from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
New international director June 2010
Practical Action is pleased to welcome its new International Director, Paul Smith Lomas.
Video: access to energy May 2010
A life without energy condemns people to a life of poverty. Lives are devastated as ill health and poor education take their toll. A new animated video from Practical Action shows how simple energy solutions can change this ...
Building Back Better May 2010
A new book, Building Back Better, examines the context for reconstruction, and shows how developments in the fields of housing, participation and livelihoods have changed and enriched approaches to reconstruction. Download or buy hard copy »
Practical Action chosen for prestigious New York museum exhibition May 2010
Practical Action has been recognised for its work in Sudan as our innovative Improved Clay Stoves go on display at the Smithsonian Institution in New York - the world's largest museum complex.
Making an impact in Nepal April 2010
A series of video reports from our project work in Nepal show how gravity ropeways and river crossings can make a vital difference to life in remote mountain villages.
Sudan Annual Report April 2010
Practical Action Sudan's annual report for 2008-2009, including highlights of our project work and financial reports, is available to download, in English or Arabic.
No Tech Day March 2010
No Tech Day, on Saturday 27 March, challenged tech addicts to go without their favourite technology for a day, to raise awareness of how what life is like for people in the developing world who do not have the same access to technology and energy. No Tech Day website | blogs
Latin America video diary March 2010
From organic coffee in the rainforests of the Amazon to renewable energy in the Andes, blogs and video diaries from our projects in Peru and Bolivia.
Food security warning March 2010
Regions of Zimbabwe supported by recent Practical Action projects on food security have been hit by dry weather and reduced yields.
Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis Toolkit March 2010
Eleven agencies have been collaborating in Haiti, using the new tool Emergency market Mapping and Analysis, which helped them to identify four critical market systems to the recovery phase.
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