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Rural poverty approaches, policies & strategies in Belize

The country’s strategy for reducing poverty is outlined in the National Poverty Elimination Strategy and Action Plan (NPESAP) for 2007–2011. The plan expresses the clear intent to support coordination between various public institutions and between the public and private sectors.

The plan outlines five main policy areas in support of poverty reduction: economic policies for growth, good governance, investment in human capital, infrastructure and areas for special attention.

Under the plan the government will work to implement the strategy through:

• a long-term commitment to improving social services such as education, health and sanitation
• a continuous process of decentralization of investment decisions towards local governments and rural community-based organizations
• promotion of the expansion of financial services in rural areas, particularly through credit unions
• strong leadership and coordination by the Ministry of Economic Development

One of the government’s main strategic priorities is a focus on better access to rural financial services for poor people and microenterprises, as a key to poverty reduction.

Source: IFAD