More than 900 million people currently live in poor, densely populated urban areas in developing countries. By 2050, an additional 2.6 billion people are expected to live in cities—most of them in the developing world. Urban centers are often ill-prepared to meet the basic needs of rapidly expanding populations, and the poor are the most likely to suffer the consequences.
Our work in Urban Poverty—a special initiative of Global Development—explores ways to help the urban poor strengthen their voices and improve their economic, health, and social opportunities. We’re learning from innovative approaches while supporting efforts that deliver results.
We’ve made a number of grants to promote real and lasting change for the urban poor, including:
Grantee: CHF International
Purpose: To ensure that the urban poor have a voice in planning and implementing local urban development by helping community-based organizations and partners strengthen their technical and organizational skills.
View grant details >
Grantee: International Institute for Environment and Development
Purpose: To help Slum Dwellers International increase its efforts to support poor communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America that are improving their housing, water, and sanitation.
View grant details >
Grantee: The Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network
Purpose: To share results and lessons from the microenterprise field with microfinance providers, enabling them to deliver local, market-based services to the urban poor.
View grant details >
Grantee: Affordable Housing Institute
Purpose: To promote research and education on the social and economic factors that affect housing in growing urban communities outside the United States.
View grant details >