1. Economic and Community Development
Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. In this area of focus, Rotarians carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work. Through this work Rotary strengthens local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Some of the key ideas that we hope to convey today revolve around the question, What are the common project types in economic and community development? Additional key points to consider for most successful projects, whether they’re funded by grants or not, are generally sustainability, measurability, and community ownership, because ultimately our work must be long lasting and holistic.
We will also discuss the ideal project lifecycle, review grant eligibility guidelines, and point out resources available from Rotary.
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2. Introduction to Economic and Community Development
Economic development at the community level
Rotarians around the world are involved in projects that support investments in people to create measurable and enduring economic improvement in their lives and communities through:
Building capacity to support economic growth and reduce poverty
Developing opportunities for work
Providing scholarships in economic and community development
Rotarians around the world are involved in economic development. Some of the ways they engage their communities are by:
Building the capacity of entrepreneurs, community leaders, local organizations, and community networks to support economic development in impoverished communities
Developing opportunities for productive work
Reducing poverty in underserved communities
Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to economic and community development, so that they can further expand the work conducted by Rotary

3. Common Economic and Community Development Project Types
Poverty Alleviation
There are many ways to carry out a project that will impact the economic development of your community including:
Initiating income generation activities to encourage greater self-sufficiency within the local economy
Increasing access to markets or helping business owners market their goods
Alleviating poverty
Income Generation
Marketing

4. Common Economic and Community Development Project Types
Leadership Skills
You can also:
Provide scholarships for academic programs that help economic development professionals enhance their skills
Supply vocational training or entrepreneurial training
Help develop the leadership skills that community members need to work together for the improvement of the community
Education
Training

5. Project Lifecycle
We understand that each service project is unique: some are large in scale, some are small. Some use Rotary grants to help fund them, and other projects are funded by clubs or districts.
However, there’s one thing all successful service projects have in common: a “lifecycle.” This graphic shows the lifecycle of a service project. As you can see, the key areas are:
Planning
Acquiring resources
Project implementation
Evaluation and promotion
While we won’t be discussing the lifecycle in detail, you can find more information on rotary.org.

6. Leveraging Knowledge: RAGs and RCCs
Rotarian Action Groups (RAGs)
Rotarian Action Groups (RAGs) leverage their expertise in their particular area of interest to support clubs and districts.
The Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit and Community Development guides members in planning and funding ECD activities.
It co-hosts microcredit conferences and helps to advance the field of microcredit and community development worldwide.
Rotary Community Corps (RCC) Rotary Community Corps (RCC) is a team of non- Rotarians who are flexible partners of service for Rotary clubs. RCCs offer community solutions for community issues. RCCs can offer key insight into the intricacies of the local community and economic market.
A Rotarian Action Group is an autonomous group of Rotarians, family members, and Rotaractors who are experts in a particular field, such as blood donation or economic and community development. Group members share their expertise by assisting Rotary clubs and districts with their humanitarian service projects.
The Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit and Community Development assists clubs and districts as they participate in effective microcredit and community development programs. They also publish resources related to microfinance and highlight the work of especially successful Rotarian initiatives in the field.
A Rotary Community Corps (RCC) is sponsored by a Rotary club. RCCs implement creative and sustainable solutions to meet a wide array of their community’s needs, which can align with Rotary’s areas of focus or a particular community concern.

7. Global Grants with The Rotary Foundation
Global grant eligibility requirements
Sustainable
Measurable goals
Align with an area of focus
Respond to real community needs
Actively involve Rotarians and host community members
While Rotary clubs frequently fundraise and carry out projects without seeking a grant from The Rotary Foundation, a global grant can be a wonderful opportunity to leverage support for large, sustainable, international projects. To be eligible for funding, a global grant project must be:
Sustainable, which means the activity continues after grant funding has been spent
Measurable, with an established process for tracking and reporting on project results
Aligned with an area of focus that meets The Rotary Foundation’s goals and activities
Responsive to real community needs that are identified through a community assessment
Led by Rotarians who have built a relationship with community members in the project location

8. Global Grants Scope for Economic and Community Development
Vocational Training
Scholarships
Supporting graduate level studies in:
Grassroots economic development
Community development and organizing
Training related to community leadership
Comprehensive, community-led, and coordinated community development activities
Entrepreneurship
Financial literacy
Saleable skills
There are many types of global grant projects that can help support economic and community development , such as:
Providing scholarships
Capacity building
Vocational training

9. Global Grants Scope for Economic and Community Development
Small Business
Microcredit
Agriculture
Access to financial services including:
Microcredit*
Savings
Insurance
*Must be in partnership with a microfinance institution
Development of a:
Small business
Cooperative
Social enterprise
Development for subsistence and small farmers including facilitating access to markets
Upgrading agricultural and irrigation practices
These are a few examples of global grant activity focusing on economic and community development.

10. Economic and Community Development Resources
Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects
Please take some time to check out these economic and community development resources. They provide great information you can use to start your next economic and community development project. Go to the Rotarian Action Group for Microfinance and Community Development website at
Community Assessment Tools
An Introduction to Vocational Service
Rotarian Action Group for Microfinance and Community Development

11. Global Grant Resources
Terms and Conditions for Rotary Foundation District Grants and Global Grants
Grant Management Manual
Areas of Focus Policy Statements
Rotary’s Areas of Focus
Also, check out these global grant resources when you’re considering your next project. You can find all documents at rotary.org.
Questions?

12. +1 866-976-8279 (toll free) Rotary International One Rotary Center
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