This paper discusses the role of local non-profit foundations in poverty reduction withinCali, Colombia’s third largest city, and how these pioneered interventions on which the municipalgovernment could build, after it had been strengthened by decentralization and democratic reforms.

This paper describes the work of an Indian NGO, SPARC and its alliance with the women’s cooperatives (Mahila Milan) formed by pavement dwellers and the National Slum Dwellers Federation. This Alliance has shown how work in many different areas such as community-based savings and credit groups, pilot projects, housing construction, the development of toilet blocks and the management of resettlement can contribute to poverty reduction, as long as these are based on what communities can do for themselves and the communities retain control. This implies the need for changes in the relationship between urban poor groups, government and international donors. The Alliance has also demonstrated the need to work at different levels, including securing policy and institutional changes through mass mobilization, based on precedents that are developed by the poor.

This case study describes the work of a local NGO, the Anjuman Samaji Behbood (ASB) in Faisalabad, which demonstrated the capacity to support community?built and financed sewers and water supply distribution lines in the informal settlements in which most of Faisalabad's population lives.

Two hours of thought-provoking images in the overview and case studies can be used to stimulate discussion and lead into class-based exercises.