Economic and Community Development is one of the Seven Areas of Focus that Rotary has asked all clubs to focus on, especially in October.
What is your club doing? Here are some ideas.......
The work of Rotary begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless ways, we’ve focused our efforts in six key areas to maximize our impact. These areas encompass some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian needs. Rotary members planning new service projects are encouraged to consider these areas and the many opportunities for innovative projects within them. Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation have adopted seven areas of focus as organizational priorities:
Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
Disease prevention and treatment
Water and sanitation
Maternal and child health
Basic education and literacy
Economic and community development
Supporting the Environment
There are countless ways that Rotary clubs can address these issues both locally and internationally.
For ideas, consult the publication Rotary’s Areas of Focus Brochure (965en) . It s available in a pdf format. Sign in to myrotary on rotary.org website.
What is your club doing?
Here are some ideas:
190 million people are funding their business endeavors through microfinance
Partner with a local microlender to improve access to financial services and provide financial infrastructure in the community.
Develop mobile banking resources in partnership with a microlender. Cell phones, which can be used to make deposits and transfer funds, can increase access to banking systems in developing communities
When supporting service projects in a developing community, purchase goods and supplies locally to stimulate the economy and avoid unnecessary shipping fees
1.4 billion people — nearly half of them employed — live on less than $1.25 a day
Expand vocational training opportunities, including job placement programming, at local nonprofit organizations
Send a vocational training team to teach business leaders in developing communities how to create a business plan and maintain accurate financial accounting.
Partner with a cooperative that provides training, joint economic ventures, and ownership of assets to its members through a democratic structure
Provide equipment or supplies to a cooperative to increase production and sales in the local market
Support entrepreneurs and small businesses in developing communities. The success of local business leaders can multiply employment opportunities in the community
Read news about Rotary's work to grow local economies
Resources & reference
Read Economic and Community Development Project Strategies, a guide for economic and community development projects
Browse Rotary Showcase for member projects that help grow local economies
Find a project to sponsor on Rotary Ideas
Contact our Rotary International manager for economic and community development