Rural, Economic & Community Development |
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The majority of the world’s population derive their livelihoods within the rural sector, but many of these people live in conditions of extreme poverty. The rural population is highly vulnerable to natural and man-made environmental change, and to the fluctuation of local, regional and global economies. As consultants with more than 30 years experience of rural development, ULG is profoundly aware of the fragility of many rural economies and the complex issues which influence these. Our services cover the full range of factors which affect the sustainability of the livelihoods of rural communities. We have worked with local communities and with regional and central governments in more than 90 countries and with every major funding agency. We recognise that sustainable development must be based on the needs of the community and be driven by that community within the context of its physical, technical, economic and social environment. Our approach is highly participatory and ensures that account is taken of the different needs of all stakeholders. ULG understands the different but complementary roles of government (local and national), community-based organisations, and the private sector. We provide expertise at each point in the process from production to sale (or consumption) of agricultural goods, in terms of appropriate technology, economic viability, supporting institutional structures, rural social infrastructure, and social compatibility. Assignments undertaken by ULG include the development of market-based smallholder cash crop production and processing systems, the reorientation of rural service provision from a centrally controlled to a community managed system, the privatisation of extension services, the restructuring of a Ministry of Agriculture, community based planning of the physical infrastructure needed to realise local production potential, and development of information systems for improved market awareness. |
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