The Concept of Community Integration in Eradicating Poverty

The Concept of Community Integration in Eradicating Poverty

            The world has experienced tremendous growth in economies since World War II. However, some areas in the developed countries and the majority of the regions in the developing world are still experiencing high rates of poverty. A 2018 report showed that more than one billion people again experience extreme poverty, especially in rural areas(The World Bank, 2018). A 2015 speech by Mia Birdsong, The Story We Tell About Poverty isn’t right, highlights how poverty has continued to persist despite numerous efforts and researches to eradicate poverty.

According to Birdsong, the problem with the concepts put in place to curb poverty is leaving out the poor people in the planning (Birdsong, 2015). People living in poverty are only given financial support and different types of aid as a form of support. However, this strategy does not nurture different talents available in these regions. The traditional approach to engaging in socioeconomic issues such as health programs and local training remains mostly under the control of governments and corporations. The community is rarely involved in improving the economic status of their regions.

Companies are trying to upgrade their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs from the traditional format to shared value and sustainability strategies aimed at delivering positive economic returns and improving quality of life in low-income regions (). Their strategies have not been able to enhance poverty levels according to a presentation by Melinda Gates, What Non-Profits can Learn from Coca-Cola, where the programs have not been able to reach the target population(Gates, 2010).  Gates points out that governments and organizations have not been aggressive enough when trying to reach people in low-economic regions and advocates the strategy used by Coca-Cola to sell their products in inaccessible areas.

Both Birdsong and Gates identify a gap in the provision of services in low economic regions and provide solutions to bridge the gap. According to Birdsong, the government should nurture talents in these areas and provide conditions where people can facilitate their growth (2015). People living in poverty-stricken areas have different ideas that can help then fend for their needs and the government and not for profit organizations need to facilitate these ideas to business enterprises. Mainly, this is one of the eans of how people can fend for themselves while creating business opportunities.

Gates points out that donation made for these regions rarely reach the people. The not for profit organizations employ strategies used in developed countries to manage funds in low economic areas despite this strategy failing to improve livelihood in these regions(Gates, 2010). Gates advocates for the Coca-Cola approach, where local people are involved in the sale of their product by promoting the growth of local enterprises owned by the locals who are familiar with these regions. The local businesspeople can infiltrate these inaccessible areas by employing local transport means to reach the customers. Gates advocates the involvement of locals in the distribution of healthcare, sanitation, family planning services, and vaccinations to reach the remote regions (2010). The two strategies proposed advocate for the integration of the economic actors with local communities in a bid to solve financial issues in the poverty-stricken areas.

A 2016 report on the advantages of supporting community-led activities in the United Kingdom shows how community integration can help achieve economic change in low-income regions. The ‘Achieving a Sustainable Future Strategy’ implemented by the Scottish government in 2011 advocated for community-led regeneration programs across the country (Crisp, McCarthy, Parr & Pearson, 2016). The strategy aimed at involving communities in the public sector and community planning. The Scottish government has also implemented ‘The Scottish Government’s Housing Strategy’ that is in support of the growth of self-building housing (Crisp, McCarthy, Parr & Pearson, 2016). These strategies have helped alleviate poverty in the country in various ways. The move has facilitated affordable housing by reducing housing costs, which contribute to high poverty levels. In turn, this has led to improved health and sanitation through the establishment of new buildings and refurbishments.

It is vital for public bodies and local authorities to collaborate with communities to curb the rising poverty levels. This strategy will support the broader regeneration of low-income regions. The talent gaps and poorly functioning supply chains cannot be addressed by the traditional strategy employed to tackle poverty levels, such as building schools and training centers. Sustainable solutions to this economic issue should entail involving the community in building new ecosystems that will replace economically inefficient methods with those that are profitable and can bring more persons in the formal and informal economy.

In conclusion, traditional strategies employed to eradicate poverty have only yielded a few returns. To curb the persistent poverty levels, governments, and not for profit, organizations should reach out to the communities to establish new ecosystems that will transform poor regions into sustainable economies. The unique ecosystems will need clear strategies and precise measurements of growth that will maintain alignment and focus on the eradication of poverty.