MISSION – Empowerment Solutions enables people who confront intense human need – poverty, violence, injustice, environmental degradation, lack of education, and disease – to generate their own sustainable solutions.
What We Do – We strengthen outstanding local education and development organizations with training, technical support, materials, network- building and targeted direct grants that advance participatory learning, community action, and grassroots problem- solving. Our efforts empower people in need to help themselves.
Solutions – Our unique approaches help people and communities who face intense needs to develop innovative and effective answers in the areas of economic enterprise, health and HIV/AIDS, conflict resolution, human rights, environment, child development, and education
WHY SUSTAINABILITY?
We all care about suffering and need. Poverty and loss undermine productivity and potential, and hurt the human spirit. We want to help and have an impact. But what can we do? The problems are enormous, and so many interventions are temporary or may even leave things worse after the outsider leaves. Some efforts may satisfy for the moment, but real answers need to be locally sustainable – for people and the environment. Participants, donors, volunteers and investors need to know their resource, energy and time make a difference that lasts.
Sustainable Solutions is a global learning and action organization active in more than 50 countries worldwide. Its partners confront the problems of poverty with a unique grassroots blend of philanthropy and business. Individuals, families and communities confronting extreme need create their won solutions with powerful, cost-effective approaches for permanent change. Participants achieve sustainable progress through measurable economic, social and environmental outcomes.
10 KEYS FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE
1.People Not Things – Infrastructure, technology, money, and commodities all may be essential in solving human problems. But donating things brings only temporary answers and may even cause dependence. Lasting solutions begin and end with the capacity, confidence aspirations and organization of people most affected by those solutions.
2.Local Not Outside Ownership – As those most affected by issues of poverty define their problem and create their own action response, they become fully invested in the solution. They donate their time, energy, learning and labor to their program and don’t depend primarily on others for the answer. This local engagement leads to more global awareness and allows locals to become equal partners with outside agencies and movements. Conversely outside ownership and control of the program discourages lasting continuation of the program after the outsiders are gone.
3.Holistic not Fragmented – An exclusive focus on one narrow aspect of a problem may allow for efficiency and predictability, but participants ultimately need to define their reality in context of their whole life experience and aspirations. Schools with sick kids, health information without income, income without human rights, or human rights without a safe environment are examples of piecemeal, incomplete approaches that preclude full motivation and ownership. By empowering people to create solutions from the whole fabric of their lives, realistic and lasting answers are possible.
4.Learning not Prescription – As participants internalize information, skills and insights, they achieve a more critical understanding of problems confronted and alternatives possible. It’s easy for outsiders to lecture and criticize people about what they need and what they should do, but until people gain the knowledge and practical capacity for themselves, their responses will be short term and incomplete. Real change is impossible without learning
5.Agency not Dominion – The processes that guide communication, need assessment, planning, decision-making and implementation need to be rooted in the agency and will of the participants. Development isn’t something we do to people. It can’t be forced or imposed on others. Through dialogue, mutual learning, and genuine respect for the perspectives of those most affected, participants can become empowered to find their own solutions.
6.Participatory not Passive – By asking thoughtful questions and listening instead of dictating, leaders can help participants discover insightful alternatives. Shared reflection and improved decision-making can emerge from a process of dialogue.
7.Partnership not Paternalism – With a respectful attitude of equality as opposed to superiority, plans and spending are directed by relationships not outside rulings.
8.Grassroots Structures, Culture and Aspirations – Local neighborhoods and village-level organizations, community-councils that reflect participant aspirations and culture, can sustain change.
9.Self-Sustaining not Dependent – Through business enterprise, participant fees, volunteer resources, local fundraising and special project grants, partner groups develop a base of practices that enable long-term financial self-sufficiency. Participants can develop a core of social, emotional and economic capacity, confidence and resilience to solve their own problems and sustain well-being.
10.Environment –Efforts should renew, not deplete or pollute, precious natural resources such as clean water, vegetation and soil. Grassroots efforts can reduce carbon emissions and improve natural surroundings.
