The World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty is an international information network that serves primarily as a forum for the exchange of exemplary municipal poverty reduction policies and programmes. We would like to encourage members and non-members alike to use this website and the resources of our network to share those experiences in their fights against poverty that have had durable results and— considering the diversity of city situations and the particular obstacles faced by people living in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) — can be replicated with success in other cities.

You will find below a number of such exemplary municipal poverty reduction policies and programmes, from both the North and the South and with objectives ranging from slum electrification to “participatory budgeting”. Each case study includes practical information on the aim of the policy or programme, the process of establishing projects to support that aim, the costs, the partners involved, the results achieved and obstacles encountered. The specific obstacles and successes of these projects and programmes indicate the practical connections among the many aspects of poverty. Consequently, you will find in these cases that poverty reduction policies and programmes focusing on one aspect of poverty have positive results on other aspects.

Together these cases also demonstrate how municipalities can be a powerful and effective practical force in the global fight against poverty, and the way that cities substantially contribute to accomplishing the time-bound and measurable goals and targets for combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women outlined in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. For information on cities and the “international development goals” please refer to Millennium Development Goals and Municipal Poverty Reduction Approaches.

FINANCING ANTI-POVERTY POLICIES: ISSUING MUNICIPAL BONDS AND BORROWING FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CREDIT MARKET
Ahmedabad, India

ANTI-POVERTY POLICY: THE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL APPROACH
Alphen Ann Den Rijn, The Netherlands

THE MULTIPLE EFFECTS OF FIGHTING URBAN POLUTION: IMPROVING SANITATION, FAMILY HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN
Bamako, Mali

DRINKING WATER AND BEYOND: FINANCING PROJECTS THROUGH COOPERATION
Besancon, France and Douroula, Burkina Faso

POPULAR PARTICIPATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS: CREATING MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN SUPERVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY
New Delhi, India

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: PROVIDING THE POOR WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Hague, The Netherlands

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: BRINGING THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT TO THE MOST DISADVANTAGED
Huy, Belgium and Paris, France

REHABILITATION OF LIVING QUARTERS: ENGAGING POOR RESIDENTS IN THE PROCESS
Lisbon, Portugal

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT USING “LOCAL KNOWLEDGE”: UTILIZING COMMUNIY ACTORS IN BASIC LITERACY AND PERSONALIZED HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES
Mauà, Brazil

WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE: PROVIDING BUSINESS TRAINING AND ACCESS TO MICRO-CREDIT
Norwich, England

“PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING”: INCREASING CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FORMULATION
Porto Alegre, Brazil

COMBATING SOCIAL EXCLUSION THROUGH PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: MOBILE ASSISTANCE TEAMS AND DAYSHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS
Paris, France

EFFECTIVE JOB REINSERTION: SUPPORTING THE LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED
San Francisco, United States

ENERGY AND SLUM SETTLEMENTS: DELIVERING ELECTRICITY TO THE POOR THROUGH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
São Paolo, Brazil