We build on almost 60 years of experience to identify and scale high-potential models that connect people and communities to markets, finance and economic opportunity, helping turn livelihoods into lasting pathways out of poverty.

Cambodia

Women action for safe rural migration*

This long-running project helped rural women reduce their vulnerability to unsafe migration and trafficking while expanding economic opportunities. Through community protection networks, savings groups and skills development, the initiative strengthened community awareness of safe migration, supported women to make more informed decisions about their livelihoods, and increased household incomes.

In partnership with Cambodian Women’s Crisis Centre (CWCC). Supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)

Malawi

Cash for wealth creation

Cash for wealth creation provides unconditional cash transfers of US$550 to households in extreme poverty in Chiradzulu district Malawi. Recipients use transfers to invest in food, healthcare, education and small businesses, with digital delivery ensuring the support is fast, secure and dignified.

In partnership with GiveDirectly. Supported by Canva Foundation

CashConnect: scaling digital innovation for poverty alleviation*

CashConnect is designed to improve the way unconditional cash transfers are delivered in Malawi. Through digital enrolment, payment, monitoring and communication systems, the project expands access to cash assistance, strengthens program integrity, and increases digital and financial inclusion for women and vulnerable communities.

In partnership with GiveDirectly. Supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)

Maasai women’s economic empowerment*

For more than a decade Action on Poverty has worked with Maasai communities in northern Tanzania through the Maasai women’s economic empowerment project. Designed with the community and local partner CORDS, and delivered across two phases, the project has expanded women’s access to savings, finance and small business opportunities, enabling investment in livelihoods, livestock and education.

The initiative also supports women’s access to productive assets, strengthens their participation in household and community decision-making, and promotes more gender-equitable policies and practices across Maasai communities.

In partnership with CORDS. Supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)

Vietnam

Community-based tourism*

Since 2014, Action on Poverty has partnered with rural communities in Vietnam to develop community-based tourism (CBT) as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and local enterprise. Through Upscaling Community-Based Tourism (UpCBT), Action on Poverty helped expand CBT from a single pioneering village to 25 villages across six districts, supporting communities to develop tourism products, strengthen local leadership and build locally led tourism enterprises. 

Through PRODUCT (Promoting Rural Opportunities with Digital Technologies and Upscaling Community-Based Tourism), this work expanded to include digital and financial inclusion, helping rural women and ethnic minority communities access technology, financial services and new livelihood opportunities. Village Savings and Loan Associations gave hundreds of women first-time access to financial services, while tourism governance and business development support created jobs and strengthened local businesses. 

Today, ASPIRE (Advancing Community Self-Reliance for Poverty Reduction via Nurturing Inclusive and Responsible Entrepreneurship) is building on these foundations by supporting sustainable businesses, stronger CBT enterprises and greater access to market opportunities for rural women and ethnic minority communities.

Supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)

NetZero Pallet

AirX Carbon’s NetZero Pallet transforms agricultural waste, including coconut husks, coffee and cacao husks, that would otherwise be burned or discarded, into carbon-negative, export-grade pallets, creating new market opportunities for farming communities in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. By converting agricultural waste into a higher-value product, the initiative generates local income and jobs while measurably reducing environmental impacts.

In partnership with AirX Carbon and P4G

Climate-smart energy innovation

Action on Poverty is working with ReFeed to develop Vietnam’s first smart collection network for used cooking oil, transforming a waste product into feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel. Through partnerships with large organisations and local businesses and the training of low-income women as skilled collection agents, this innovative initiative creates income opportunities, reduces waste and emissions, and strengthens participation in the circular economy.

In partnership with ReFeed and P4G