Solution: Create an abundant world.

“Overcoming poverty is a not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right – the right to dignity and a decent life.” – Nelson Mandela

South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa account for nearly 80% of those living in extreme poverty. New threats from climate change, conflict and food insecurity means now even more work is needed to bring people out of poverty.

To end poverty in all its forms and dimensions by 2030 we need to target the most vulnerable, increase basic resources and services, and support those affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.

To end extreme poverty in the next 20 years, the cost per year is less than 1% of the combined income of the richest countries of the world.

That reeks of possibility.

Now all we need is action.

What you can do to create a world with zero poverty:

Lifestyle tips:

• Make your weekends “Weekends For Good” Involve others and make your weekend one that supports those in need.
• Support larger community campaigns – e.g. collecting pajamas for a children’s hospital or shelter for those escaping domestic violence. Did you know that a pair of warm pajamas can reduce hospital admission rate for children?
• Register for a “Save the Change” account so when you buy something with your debit card, it is rounded up to the nearest pound and the difference is transferred into your nominated savings account. Both Lloyds and Halifax both offer this option in the UK. You can donate this money at the end of the year to a charity active in achieving the SDGs
• Join JCI’s Lend with Care account and provide microfinance to entrepreneurs in the developing world to help transform their lives and others too. Microfinance is specifically mentioned as one of the 5 targets for achieving the No Poverty Global Goal.
• Wherever possible choose to buy products produced under fair and ethical trade partnerships and employment
• Have SDG Learning Days where you and your family get together to learn more about the SDGs
• Get involved in JCI UK’s £1 a day campaign where you experience what it feels like to survive on £1 a day for 7 days
• Take a “Holiday For Good” spending time in the poorest and least developed countries in the world and getting involved in volunteer projects
• Sponsor education and occupational training for a person in poverty
• Donate your old belongings
• Gift leftover food and groceries to local charities and foodbanks
• Crowdfund to support causes that aim to tackle poverty
• Find out more about the value chain impacts of your favourite brands. In 2009 nearly 100,000 contacted Starbucks to persuade them to pay Ethiopian farmers a fair price for their coffee.
• Become a room sponsor with the YMCA England and Wales and help a homeless young person get back on their feet.
• Actively share the stories of what you’re doing to encourage others to do the same.

Business tips:

• Understand your value chain impacts – map out your companies direct and indirect value chain impacts (e.g. key supplier locations, impacts from using your products/services and direct impacts of your operations/customer use and end of life) this will help you identify where your impact overlaps with the SDGs and places where there might be commercial opportunities in making a contribution to an SDG
• Incorporate small businesses into your supply chain where you can. This can create reputational benefits and loyalty from (potential) customers.
• Enhance your business model to include giving to people in need
• e.g. if you’re a dentist become a dentist for good – every time someone gets their teeth cleaned, provide a check-up for someone in India via B1G1
• e.g. if you’re a teacher become a teacher for good – every time someone completes your course – provide teaching materials to an Ethiopian nursery school via B1G1
• e.g if you’re a restaurant owner or employee, become a restaurant for good – every time someone enjoys a meal, give seeds to nourish a child in Malawi via B1G1
• e.g. offer to plant a tree when someone buys a particular product or service from your business
• See if corporate volunteer days are an option within your business. Many businesses now see charity work and volunteering as an integral part of their Corporate Social Responsibility strategy and understand it is an important stance to take. A business of any size of industry can implement a programme that allows time to volunteer and still respects the company budget. Deloitte, Experian, Accenture, Salesforce, OVO Energy, and SAGE are just some of the companies who already offer such opportunities. The JCI ACE programme also allows members to track their volunteer time and be internationally recognised for it.
• Partner with and support inclusive and sustainable businesses
• If your company does business in an under-developed region or country, become part of the community. Source locally and responsibly – Get to know your neighbours and their skills. Help them to become entrepreneurs and share the value.
• Create opportunities for decent jobs and secure livelihoods within your business.
• To make products more affordable in lower-income parts of the country, partnerships could be established with local organisations whereby lower prices could be offered to specific groups
• Use the process of product development. Companies with a strong focus on product development could contribute to SDG 1 by developing specific products for the lower-income part of society.
• If you’re in the chemicals or food sector, think about developing products with extra nutrition for a lower price. This can be developed for a specific market on top of the usual product line and could create a new business model for the company with a new business case.
• In Insurance? Offer micro-insurance products to lower-income groups.
• In Packaging? Sell quality products in smaller unit packages for low-income countries. This makes products more affordable and can offer new market opportunities for businesses.

Now it’s your turn.

1. Commit to start your decade of action!
2. Tell someone about it. Pick an action from the life section & one to take to your business as a potential project to work on.
3. Share your journey on social media. Tag in JCIUK and use the hashtags #SDGandMe

…and please send us your ideas so we can add them to this list!