Thank you

for making 2021 a year full of positive action

In what has been a uniquely challenging year, there’s an extraordinary team of people who have made choices with the potential to change lives. A huge and heartfelt thank you to all our supporters for being part of that team.

Join us in celebrating some of the successes we’ve achieved together in the last year. Watch our video message of thanks to meet some of the communities thriving thanks to the positive actions of people like you.

Meet the climate pioneers

Around the world, communities are facing up to the challenges of climate change and thriving – even in the toughest conditions. With the support of people like you, and a little ingenuity, they are defying the odds. We’re Practical Action – an innovative international development organisation putting small solutions into action to create big change. Meet some of the climate pioneers we’re working with…

Karuna is saving lives with early warning systems

In Nepal, Karuna leads a local Disaster Management Committee, protecting villages from floods. Advance weather forecasts link up to real-time river levels. “Once the water levels start rising, we send out updates to villagers living in the catchment areas” she told us.

Voice and text messages, and local weatherboards alert people to the danger. And we’ve worked with the community to put plans in place, so they can act fast to protect their lives, homes and the assets they rely on to make a living. These systems have already saved hundreds of lives.

Jawaher is harvesting food from the desert

In Sudan, we worked with Jawaher and her community to tackle prolonged droughts. They’re planting forests to stabilise the soil and hold back the desert. When it does rain, it pours, but rainwater harvesting captures the water. Coupled with new farming techniques, and crop diversification, yields are increasing.

Jawaher told us “We’re more connected and we make decisions together. I’ve been able to farm more land. The food I grow feeds me and my family, I can sell in the market, and have enough until the next season.”

Melanio is replanting forests for future generations

In Peru, we’ve supported Melanio to develop new ways to farm coffee in the changing climate, and reverse deforestation. He plants trees that provide shade for the coffee plants and regulate the weather. When their leaves fall, they enrich the soil. Nutrient rich soil and stable weather produce quality organic coffee that gets a better price at market.

Melanio told us: “Before, the people were cutting down trees. Without thinking about the future. With the reforestation for coffee, today we can see some very beautiful landscapes. We feel proud.”

Inspirational stories from 2021

22.10.2021 | by Practical Action

Explore how you can get involved in helping people change their world.

One ingenious group, three ways of working.

At Practical Action we put ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world.

Thank you

for making 2021 a year full of positive action

In what has been a uniquely challenging year, there’s an extraordinary team of people who have made choices with the potential to change lives. A huge and heartfelt thank you to all our supporters for being part of that team.

Join us in celebrating some of the successes we’ve achieved together in the last year. Watch our video message of thanks to meet some of the communities thriving thanks to the positive actions of people like you.

Meet the climate pioneers

Karuna is saving lives with early warning systems

Jawaher is harvesting food from the desert

Melanio is replanting forests for future generations

Inspirational stories from 2021

A retirement plan for Peruvian coffee farmers that grows in ...

Practical Action recognised for outstanding collaboration in...

Powerful plants: nature-based solutions in Asia

Energising big change in Kenya – Laventer’s success stor...