Our work

Practical Action works with poor communities to help them choose and use technology to improve their lives for today and generations to come.

We are currently implementing over 100 projects worldwide. In addition to this, our consultancy and educational work extends the reach of our practical approach to tackling poverty. In 2008-9 we used technology to directly benefit around 522,000 poor women and men through 111 projects in 13 countries.

We work directly with poor communities in four regions of the developing world – Latin America, East Africa, Southern Africa and South Asia, with particular concentration on Peru, Kenya, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Practical Action currently works in the following technology areas:

Through our international work, we demonstrate alternatives, share knowledge and influence change.

• We aim to tackle the underlying causes of poverty by campaigning to influence policies, institutions and processes. Through our campaigning and advocacy, Practical Action aims to achieve greater and more lasting impact from its work.
• Our Technical Information Service, Practical Answers, aims to provide a means of accessing the wealth of technical information held by Practical Action, through technical briefs or the resource centre.
• Our Education unit offers a range of support services for teachers and young people in the UK looking to address sustainable development within their teaching and learning.
• Lessons from Practical Action's grassroots experience are also spread through consultancy services and publishing activities.