Social institutions in Mexico

"When the village takes a decision and assumes responsibility, it is because we are [all involved], everybody. The responsibility doesn't fall on any one [alone], we all assume the responsibility - this is the most important thing. It's not the same as you being presidente (highest authority in the municipality) or manager or ciudadano X taking a decision. with the community asamblea, well, we all assume the responsibility for what may come, whether it's good or bad. I think that this is the best thing."

Source: Panos Institute

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• Ethiopia 1
• Ethiopia 2
• Pakistan
• India
  

Speaking freely: HIV social movements
“We challenge the government a lot, but many times we don’t get what we really want from the government. It’s like the government are putting us [up against] a brick wall. We really want the government to bring change so that all people can go on, can rely on the government and not just on TAC. I just hope that in the future we can work with the government and the government can provide us with what we really need.”

Source: Panos Institute
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In the wake of war
Cassilde Gwampambe is a typical recipient of community development assistance. Her husband was killed during the war, leaving her to raise their nine children alone. Until she was selected by the development committee in her village, Gwampambe and her children barely survived on 500 Burundian francs a day (about 47 US cents), which was all her eldest children could earn making bricks.

Source: IFAD
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Election day
The people of Burundi are heading to the polls to elect their first parliament and president since a civil war began in 1993. This report explores how IFAD-initiated Community Development Committees contribute to democratic processes and peace building by putting economic decision-making power in the hands of poor villagers.

Source: IFAD
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Banking on Benin's villages
Since the early 1990s, Benin has successfully undertaken economic and policy reforms and a democratization process. Benin is largely a rural country with 60% of the population depending on agriculture. ''Village Banks'' have enabled many rural people to increase their income and training courses have improved their literacy and marketing skills.

Source: IFAD
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Monica’s Day
A report on village life in rural Tanzania featuring Monica Mahdi, who is a member of a village water association.

Source: IFAD
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Tides of change: a project makes a difference in the livelihoods of artisanal fishers
Fighting rural poverty is a multifaceted challenge. It is not only about increasing the incomes of  poor rural people, and providing them with access to safe water, health and education. It is also about transferring knowledge and know-how. And more importantly, it is about implementing policies that empower people and lead to reducing rural poverty. This is what the IFAD-funded Sofala Bank Artisanal Fisheries Project is doing in Mozambique.

Ruth - a mother's struggle
"Many times women are not considered in decision making... You’ll find that even if a project should involve women, men are the ones who are always spearheading activities."

Source: Panos Institute
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Tamil Nadu
In most developing countries, women have less chance to escape poverty than men. Discrimination in education affects women's economic, social and political position later. This report focuses on an innovative project in Southern India which demonstrates how self-help groups have empowered rural women.

Source: IFAD
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Policy Forum organized by IFPRI & ADB:
Agricultural and Rural Development for Reducing Poverty and Hunger in Asia: In Pursuit of Inclusive and Sustainable Growth
Improving efficiency and effectiveness of poverty reduction program through institutional change: Lessons from the PRC.
Presenter: Li Xiaoyun, College of Humanities and Development, China Agricultural University, China
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Communities Choose for Themselves in Haiti
In Carice, a remote municipality (commune) in the mountains of northeast Haiti, community leaders decided that what they needed most was clean water. So they backed a proposal from a local women’s organization, Solidarité Femmes Larose, to install a water pump for their community.

Source: World Bank
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