Development Philosophy
The definition of poverty alleviation is to truly help people to help themselves. We believe that every individual has the profound potential to break their own cycle of poverty with their own vision and determination.
OUR APPROACH
End Poverty Now (EPN) strives to support poverty alleviation through skilfully collaborating with grassroots organizations in local communities around the world and initiating projects that provide those in need with the opportunity for a sustainable and effective platform for poverty alleviation. In this light, EPN is supportive of, but not limited to, projects in income generation through the forms of micro-loans, co-operative establishment, skill training, and entrepreneurial development.
Poverty emerges when people become powerless to support themselves because they lack access to essential communal and personal resources – from food, to education, to health care, to skill training, to materials for their work and so forth. Providing these resources allow the opportunity for change, the capacity to act and innovate. More importantly, cultivating self-sustainability is necessary as it ensures permanent, purposeful, and long-term development. It is in this way that entire communities have the opportunity to see lasting and growing development.
ALL OF OUR PROJECTS RESPECT THE FOLLOWING GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
- Popular Participation and Self Reliance
For sustainable and effective community development, projects must be community-led. Also, the decision-making processes must be activated by popular participation of the beneficiaries. In this way, projects will be properly implemented to accurately assess needs, and participating individuals will gain the expertise needed to self-reliantly continue developing long after the project completion.
- Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development is development that wisely uses resources with the best interests of the beneficiaries, the environment, and future practices in mind. It fosters justice and equity, alleviating poverty while conserving cultural identity. Following the triangular model of sustainability, the tri-pillars of economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity are each integral considerations during the projects’ development. Projects must respect these areas to ensure sustainability in the long-term.
- Respect for all Individuals
End Poverty Now supports projects that are inclusive to all groups. Incorporating social equity into the project fosters equality as a result. Those who are marginalized within their communities should be granted equal access to the opportunity for development without discrimination.
- Comprehensive Approach
It is not enough to provide individuals with an income; there must also be an investment in infrastructure and social programs. Income must be accompanied with health, education, equality and rights, stable politics, improved living conditions, as well as many others. With this diversified approach, the causes of poverty are addressed as well as the issue within itself.
- Organized Collaboration
It is not EPN’s role to take away from the project’s initiative nor is it simple fund distribution. Rather, EPN is a collaborating organization ready to share ideas, resources, information and experience.
These guiding principles are the foundation for EPN’s Joint Venture Projects and are incorporated at every stage.
OUR STRATEGY
As EPN’s strategy for development, submitted projects are evaluated in a multi-dimensional light, thoroughly assessing the risks, impacts, sustainability, and efficiency of the projects (See the process at Submit a Proposal). As well, EPN engages in the expertise of scholars and professionals around the globe to act as advisors for the organization’s joint venture projects. This is neither to take away from the self-reliance of the beneficiaries nor to doubt their extensive knowledge, but instead to provide a foundation for an exchange of ideas, resources, information and experience as outlined above. With this, EPN firmly supports a fluid dialogue with the partnering grassroots organization – first in fully assessing the project for the areas as outlined above, having a plan for self-sustainability, and then in monitoring and evaluating the project’s success throughout and after the project. Altogether, EPN pursues projects with confidence in their role in alleviating poverty, and takes the lessons learned from each project to benefit the next.
If you and your organization are strong believers of the values we've outlined above, and wish to collaborate with us on a joint venture to alleviate poverty somewhere in the world, please visit Submit a Proposal.
Last updated: May 5, 2012.
