In Asia rural poverty significantly decreasing in compared to the urban poverty. Because the poverty reduction schemes that are put up by the govt to implement in rural areas will not help in reducing the urban poverty. This paper analyses the characteristics and extent of urban poverty in India, using the three dimension of poverty: lack of income, lack of access and lack of power. It introduces policies and programmes to address urban poverty, but also shows that the available data on urban poverty in the region are not detailed enough to enable the development of effective and sustainable urban poverty reduction policies. The urban poor requires better conditions for their work, including in the informal sector, better infrastructure and services, including inside the slums, and good urban governance to make the local decision processes inclusive, participatory, accountable and transparent.
CHF has been employing its own unique method to improve the urban poverty India known as Participatory Action for Community Enhancement (PACE) to bring communities together to voice their needs while improving the environment for all community members. CHF employs PACE methods in all its programs not only to improve infrastructure, but also to act as the catalyst to bring citizens together, increase civic cooperation, and engage local governments to respond to the needs of its communities. We believe that it is the process behind the physical improvements that paves the way for more sustainable development and a more promising future.
The citizen groups we organize in nearly every CHF project often serve as incubators for new local leaders, and provide an effective mechanism for lasting community engagement. As a result, even after the culmination of CHF’s work, these community groups often become associations, cooperatives and sustainable local development organizations.
CHF’s PACE methods also emphasize building the capacity of individuals within a community to create a brighter future, while delivering tangible improvements. By the end of our programs, we strive to equip a community with the mechanisms to collectively make decisions and work together. The success of CHF’s programs is largely dependent on the extent to which communities lead the development process, and we proactively assist them in articulating their unique needs.
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