Bøger udgivet af Practical Action Publishing

This book reflects the implications of a social performance management agenda for the perspective of twelve partners from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, who participated in a three-year microfinance action-research programme known as Imp-Act

This booklet provides an overview of appropriate technology and global development issues. The first part addresses issues from a humanistic perspective. The second part focuses on sustainability, appropriate technology, technology transfer, the importance of indigenous knowledge, women and technology, prejudice and racism, debt, aid and trade.

This book is a useful resource for teachers looking for ways of integrating values-based issues into their design and technology teaching. Aimed at students aged 14-16 years old, the pack tackles the complex economic and cultural issues associated with sustainable and appropriate technology, in a clear and accessible way.

Energy is vital to health, well being and economic survival. But the task of providing sustainable energy services to rural communities in developing countries is a complex one. Social priorities, environmental issues, financial constraints, gender differences, demographic characteristics, technical considerations and institutional frameworks all play some role in ensuring that energy investments meet the needs of local people. The energy challenge for the 21st Century is to integrate these diverse constraints into a coherent decision-making framework. This book provides an illustrated and accessible guidance manual for this task.

Considers the complexity of local-global interaction in environmental management, and understanding resource management as a socio-cultural concept. It observes the urgent need to combine different perspectives in environmental management, at different levels, in separate traditions and disciplines, and cultural and organizational experiences.

These studies illuminate the vitality of a fast-developing society. They include case studies of hometown associations operating across the country, as well as integrative studies comparing the HTAs across such important dimensions as gender relations, connections to formal government, and as agents of change.

Access to affordable energy is essential for sustainable economic development and improvement in living standards. The aim of this book is to act as a guide for development workers for financing small renewable systems and a source of reference for further in-depth investigation.The book examines the issues which affect the success of a renewable energy financing program on both a financial and a technical level: those interested in setting up financing schemes for renewable energy technologies must also be aware of the technical parameters, which can then be factored into any scheme.Photovoltaics has been chosen as the main example, as one of the most cost-effective ways of bringing electricity to remote areas. However, many of the examples and the financing issues discussed are also applicable to other renewable energy technologies.

This book highlights the broad range of expertise that exists in rural areas. The book first gives a brief account of women's indigenous technical knowledge, and its extent. It goes on to explore women's role in the innovation process and how technical innovation has conventionally ignored this.

Written in plain, jargon-free language, this book provides vital information to help producers export more effectively. Keeping the perspective and situation of small-scale exporters in mind, it covers every aspect of exporting that it is important to know.

This book describes crop protection strategies that rely on farmers' knowledge and participation, local resources and alternative low-input methods, as a sensitive approach to develop and implement pest management schemes adjusted to farmers' needs and their socio-economic and agroecological conditions.

This booklet was the result of a workshop run by the Ahsania Mission. The objective of the workshop was to produce adult literacy booklets that covered practical subjects. This booklet covers how to set up a small business making pickles and drew on the work of Intermediate Technology Bangladesh

The lack of adequate energy supplies for cooking, that face rural people in Sri Lanka are described through a case study that examines the household requirements of a family of potters. Energy is vital not just for their household needs (cooking, cleaning etc) but also in their work as potters and potential stovemakers.

Development economics reveal that thousands of poor `microentrepreneurs' are able to work, invest, and overcome poverty when given the chance; the author looks to the use of credit-based income generation schemes as a new poverty-alleviation strategy.

Seven case studies describe the impact of technically skilled VSOs on the needs of groups and communities in developing countries, drawing particular attention to the wider issues which must be addressed if the development is to be sustained.

Helps planners identify energy needs early on so they can be integrated into project design. Summarizes key issues, with detailed discussion of energy options and the dynamics of supply and demand; plus fact sheets and checklists for quick reference.

The book presents a study of the social and economic viability of mini-cement plants in the Indian economic context.

Enthusiasm amongst international development agencies about harnessing the potential of information and communications technologies (ICTs) for development has generated questionning of the impact and sustainability of such interventions. By presenting the findings of research specifically designed to measure impact on livelihoods, Strengthening Rural Livelihoods offers new evidence for the development benefits of ICTs. The book asks if ICTs enabled farmers to sell beyond local markets and at better prices, and whether there have been social gains in linking geographically disparate households and social networks. The authors have provided significant new insights into how to overcome the challenges of mainstreaming ICTs into rural livelihoods and more effectively measuring its effects. This book will appeal to academics, civil society organizations, practitioners and students who are interested in what works and what doesnΓÇÖt work when applying ICTs to rural livelihoods.

This book returns to the debates about farmer participation in agricultural R & D, looks to the future, and calls for a major rethink, boosting of knowledge and capacities of farmers' organizations to innovate, strengthening networks and alliances to support and share lessons on farmer-led innovation.

Networking for Development is the first comprehensive survey and synthesis of the subject. At the same time, it is a concise practical manual for people who are involved in networks or who may be thinking of establishing one.

This books shows that women can be instrumental in expanding and democratizing national economies: creating wealth and family well-being. Through a history of UNIFEM, the author shows how the large-scale investments of governments, the World Bank, the United Nations and other organizations can become both more effectively and gender-sensitive.

From women's participation in national elections to female decision-making in community livelihood initiatives, this book highlights three main approaches to strengthening women's leadership and participation: Overcoming structural barriers, supporting women, and encouraging women to carry out leadership roles effectively for progressive purposes.

The contributions relate to issues such as management vis-a-vis small scale mining focusing on environmental, health and safety, social and gender issues, and offer a multitude of issues and their solutions relating to small-scale mining which could form the basis of an agenda for action.