We recognise that climate change, the environment and people’s livelihoods are closely connected, and so our response is to promote environmental and economic sustainability.
Poverty reduction must hold the environment and the economy in balance. With this in mind, with our partners we are working towards economic growth, economic stability, and the ability of all to participate equally in their local economy and increase their income.
Our approaches include livelihoods projects, self-help groups and working for women’s economic empowerment. Following a crisis, Tearfund provides cash and voucher assistance as part of humanitarian response.
Livelihoods
Tearfund and partners work in some of the poorest communities in the world where many people struggle to have sufficient assets or income to meet their basic needs. Unemployment rates are often staggeringly high, particularly among youth, and where conflict and disasters can undo development gains by pushing people back into poverty.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihoods for many poor communities. Often, however, small-scale farmers cannot grow enough food or earn enough to buy food for their families. Without sufficient food, income and good nutrition, people cannot live a full or productive life. At the other extreme, wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few people in developing countries where unfavourable economic systems further exacerbate this inequality.
Our case studies provide a more in-depth investigation of how communities around the globe are practically implementing livelihoods programmes. They provide an insight into the successes and the challenges that each community experienced, so that learning can be applied in other areas.