In the month of October we, in Rotary, recognize Community Economic Development as one of our seven Areas of Focus, according to Ladner Rotary member Peter Roaf in an invocation at a club meeting on October 13, 2026.
Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. That means one in nine people in the world does not have enough to eat, Of those hungry people 60% are women and girls.
70% of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and related activities for their livelihood.
Rotary members worldwide work with The Rotary Foundation to provide sustainable solutions to poverty. In the past year The Rotary Foundation has spent US $9.2 million to grow local economies and reduce poverty.
One way we all do that is by strengthening local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities, urban and rural throughout the world. Rotary’s Community Economic Development Area of Focus is not a handout. It empowers communities and individuals to overcome poverty and build sustainable futures
We provide training so that people can serve as resources for their community. Training that offers networking activities, advice on new business development, and mathematics and financial management training.
We provide access to well-paying jobs and financial management institutions. So local economic development in impoverished communities creates pathways for economic growth and self-reliance which improves the quality of life for those in need.
It also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among the community members involved. In providing this support -- not “FOR” or “TO” those who need it, but “WITH” them -- creates lasting change and builds a more inclusive society.
Community Economic Development at work in Guatamala
For instance, most of the women living in rural Guatemala do not have the collateral to get loans from regulated financial institutions. The Rotary Club of Guatemala de la Ermita helped 400 local women complete financial literacy courses so they could pool their money and fund their own microlending program.
Community Economic Development at work in Ecuador
In Esmeraldas, Ecuador, Rotary members helped grant more than 250 microloans and train more than 270 community members in sewing, baking, plumbing, microcredit, business management, and leadership.
Community Economic Development at work in Camaroon
In west Cameroon, soil erosion and loss of soil fertility have significantly reduced farmers’ harvests. We gave farmers the skills they needed to improve soil fertility, control soil erosion, and market their produce. The results: increased crop yields and profits.
In Rotary we work together and share our resources to “create lasting impact”.
