Sustainable Development Initiatives Research Articles

Регулирование и стимулирование деятельности предприятий цветной металлургии при построении экономики замкнутого цикла

The article is devoted to the topic of the need to choose between regulation and stimulation of companies operating in the field of non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, in the context of sustainable development initiatives, ESG and circular economy. The main focus is on alternative RDF fuel. Along with regulating the activities of companies in this industry, of particular interest is stimulating their transition to secondary consumption of resources and other green energy initiatives.

Ecotourism for Coastal Slum Alleviation: A Strategic Approach to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tangerang, Indonesia

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the potential of ecotourism as a strategic tool for transforming coastal slum areas in developing regions, with a focus on alleviating poverty, improving living conditions, and fostering sustainable development. Theoretical Framework: The research draws on theories of sustainable development, ecotourism, and community-based tourism. The study builds on frameworks that emphasize the role of local community involvement, environmental conservation, and socio-economic improvement in developing effective strategies for slum transformation. Method: This research adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using R Studio to analyze relationships between ecotourism development, infrastructure investment, community participation, and sustainable tourism outcomes. Data were collected through surveys of 160 residents in a coastal slum area, complemented by direct observations of the region’s environmental and infrastructural conditions. Results and Discussion: The findings reveal that investments in ecotourism infrastructure and active community engagement significantly improve the economic conditions and environmental sustainability of coastal slum areas. However, gaps in policy support and sustainable tourism principles were identified, which limit the full realization of ecotourism’s potential in alleviating slum conditions. Research Implications: This study highlights ecotourism's potential to alleviate poverty and transform coastal slum areas through infrastructure investment and community participation. It offers practical insights for policymakers and developers in sustainable tourism, emphasizing improved economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Theoretically, it enriches sustainable development literature by linking local governance with ecotourism-driven regional transformation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the existing literature by presenting a comprehensive framework that integrates ecotourism with poverty alleviation strategies, focusing on the transformation of coastal slums into sustainable tourism hubs. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners working on sustainable development initiatives in coastal regions.

NEW ECONOMETRIC MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUANTIFYING THE IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDG9 IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT

In the context of European integration, sustainable economic development in the European Union is a strategic priority. In recent years, the European Union has made progress towards sustainable development objectives, reflecting a commitment to economic growth that respects the principles of environmental protection, social equity and economic efficiency. The European Union plays an important role in shaping sustainable development policies and initiatives through legislation, directives and financial funds aimed at both protecting the environment and stimulating innovation and competitiveness. We aim to analyse the level of innovative sustainability of the European economy in relation to the European dimension of innovative sustainability using an econometric model. The methods used consist of a literature survey, database consolidation and econometric modelling. The econometric model shows that environmental taxes and raw material consumption have a negative impact on GDP per capita in the short run, while technological innovation, measured by the number of patents and R&D personnel, contributes significantly to economic growth and sustainable development, underlining the need for long-term investment in human capital and green technologies to support the competitiveness and sustainability of European economies. The results of the study will lead to the formulation of European public policies on sustainable economic development regarding the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 9.

Balancing Economic and Construction Growth with Environmental Sustainability in Albania’s Real Estate Sector

This study aims to examine the relationship between real estate development and environmental impact in Albania during the period of 1995–2022. This is among the first scientific studies of this nature in Albania and the region. Using an Autoregressive Distribution Lag (ARDL) model and EViews 12 software, we analyze how carbon emissions relate to economic indicators such as the issuance of building permits, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and energy consumption patterns. Our results show a positive relationship between construction activities and increased carbon emissions, signaling a development model that currently diverges from sustainable practices. This research is important as it not only fills a critical gap by quantifying the environmental footprint of the real estate sector in Albania but also provides strong signals to support policy makers in guiding sustainable development initiatives. This study recommends that future strategies integrate and harmonize economic growth with environmental care by targeting sustainability in construction techniques and renewable energy.

A Sustainable urban renovation assessment model (SURAM) for enhancing elderly-friendly environments

The rapid increase in the aging population has raised significant concerns about the living conditions and well-being of elderly residents in old communities. This study addresses these concerns by proposing a Sustainable Urban Renovation Assessment Model (SURAM) specifically designed to enhance elderly-friendly environments in Chongqing City. The model encompasses multiple dimensions, including the comfort of public facilities, service safety and convenience, medical travel services, infrastructure security, life service convenience, neighbor relations, ambulance aid accessibility, commercial service facilities, privacy protection, elderly care facilities and service supply, and medical and health facilities. By employing factor analysis, the study reduces the dimensionality of the 49 indicator factors, allowing for a more focused and comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of aging-friendly renovation efforts. The main factors identified in the proposed model include community infrastructure security, elderly comfort of community public facilities, completeness and convenience of surrounding living services, and security and convenience of elderly care services. The results reveal that the age-appropriate comfort of public facilities plays a significant role in achieving successful aging-appropriate renovation outcomes. The findings demonstrate that by addressing specific needs such as safety, accessibility, and convenience, communities can significantly improve the quality of life for elderly residents. Moreover, the application of SURAM provides actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and community stakeholders, guiding them in implementing targeted initiatives for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Toward Environmental Sustainability: The Nexus between Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Economic Growth in Mitigating CO2 Emissions in Somalia

This research investigates the intricate relationships between agriculture, renewable energy, economic growth, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Somalia from 1991 to 2022. This study uses the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and Granger causality tests to understand their impact on environmental sustainability. ARDL results reveal a negative role of agriculture and renewable energy on CO2 in the short and long term. The country's reliance on fossil fuels and biomass further intensifies CO2 emissions. While economic growth is essential for improving living standards, it positively correlates with CO2 emissions in the short and long term, emphasizing the challenge of decoupling economic development from environmental degradation. Domestic investment has a short-run relation only to CO2 emissions. In Granger causality tests, the results indicated that Agriculture and domestic investment have bidirectional causality to carbon dioxide emissions. On the other hand, renewable energy, economic growth, and domestic investment have unidirectional causality to Agriculture in Somalia, while domestic investment has bidirectional causality to renewable energy and economic growth. The study recommends implementing comprehensive and integrated approaches to prioritize sustainable development strategies, clean energy alternatives, and efficient agricultural practices. Promoting economic growth while also focusing on capacity-building and awareness campaigns is essential. Collaborating with the international community on climate change mitigation and sustainable development initiatives can further support Somalia's journey toward environmental sustainability.

Facilitators and barriers to improving beverage consumption among primary school children in Belgium

Abstract Background School is seen as a relevant setting to intervene in children’s health behaviour, including their beverage consumption. A randomized controlled trial (DRINK) has been implemented to compare nutrition and sustainability-based interventions to reduce sugary beverages and to increase tap water consumptions among primary school children in French-speaking Belgium. The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the context before the intervention implementation and to identify the facilitators and barriers to implementing the project. Methods In 2021, the 48 schools included in the trial responded to a semi-structured interview prior to the intervention, and 30 were interviewed one year later. School characteristics (including socioeconomic index, SEI) and contextual components were summarised. The qualitative corpus was analysed using thematic content methods to identify emerging themes, then classified into obstacles and facilitators. Results Of the 48 schools, 70.8% were Walloon, 76.6% had a medium or high SEI, and 41.7% included less than 90 pupils. The majority had already implemented nutrition and sustainable development initiatives before the trial. While taps were available in classrooms and reusable bottles were used, the initiatives could be extended, e.g. to increasing the number of water points. The main facilitators were the interest to receive additional support by the schools already involved in other projects, and the flexibility of the intervention. The main barriers were related to lack of access to tap water; insufficient support for the implementation of the intervention; and poor availability of school staff to get involved in such a project. Conclusions Alongside the main trial findings, understanding the facilitators and barriers will enable the intervention to be further adapted and extended. Considering the school context and perceptions is essential to ensure effective and durable school health initiatives. Key messages • Largely involved in promoting nutrition and sustainability, the schools were keen to receive support to continue. • Strengthening access to water, communication and support for schools are essential.

The impact of female board membership and firm performance on the environmental management system

This paper examines the effect of gender diversity on the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) measured as ISO 14001 adoption among Saudi-listed companies. In this study, we propose that female board members significantly influence EMS adoption by employing agency theory, stakeholder theory and resource dependency theory to predict the relationship. The final sample of this study consists of 44 firm-year observations for non-financial companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange with ISO 14001 certification from 2016 to 2019. The logistic regression results show that higher representation of women on boards is associated with more extensive use of EMS indicating the importance of gender diversity in enhancing corporate environmental responsibility. Moreover, companies with better financial performance are less likely to adopt comprehensive ecological management practices. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by revealing how board diversity is related to financial performance and environment management systems among firms operating in emerging markets. These findings have policy implications for policymakers, business leaders and researchers engaged in sustainable development initiatives to enhance governance mechanisms.

The sustainable development of small and midsize enterprises in China on green reverse logistics

In response to the increasing global emphasis on sustainability and the specific challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China, this study explores the integration of green reverse logistics within these enterprises to enhance their sustainability and competitiveness. The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between reverse logistics, green logistics, and sustainable development. Data analysis was conducted utilizing a combination of descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. A survey of 311 participants examined SMEs’ performance in reverse logistics practices and their initiatives in green logistics and sustainable development. The empirical findings reveal significant progress in reverse logistics practices among SMEs, reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency. Moreover, a notable positive correlation was identified between reverse logistics promotion and advancements in green logistics and sustainable development. SMEs’ investment in reverse logistics is closely linked to their efforts in environmentally conscious and sustainable supply chain management. These insights benefit SMEs and supply chain practitioners and offer a valuable reference for future research and practical applications in this field.

Penilaian Standar Pariwisata Berbasis Komunitas (CBT) dalam Pengembangan Wisata Puncak Pagerbatu, Kota Banjar

The tourism sector is one of the sectors that has a major contribution to the growth of a country that contributes to creating new jobs and increasing foreign exchange. The focus of tourism development today lies in sustainable tourism development initiatives, which seek to achieve a balance between industrial, social, and economic activities. CBT (Community Based Tourism) is a form of tourism that empowers communities to organize and manage tourism growth and benefit in terms of economic, social, and sustainable environmental development. This research aims to assess the sustainability of Pagerbatu Peak Tourism, Banjar City based on indicators in the ASEAN Community Based Tourism (CBT) Standard. The method used is qualitative descriptive by utilizing field observations and interviews in extracting information and data. The results show that most of the criteria still cannot be fulfilled comprehensively. The lack of fulfillment of CBT standards on Pagerbatu Peak Tourism is partly due to the operationalization period of tourism which is not so mature so that synergy between many parties is needed in the process of developing Pagerbatu Peak Tourism, Banjar City.

Preface

1st National Conference on Integrating Research in Agriculture, Food and Communicable Diseases Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (IRAFCD 2024) This proceedings volume features a curated selection of articles from the National Conference on Integrating Research in Agriculture, Food, and Communicable Diseases Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (IRAFCD 2024). The conference, held on June 10-11, 2024, at the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Kampar Campus in Malaysia, brought together participants from Malaysia and overseas in a hybrid format. IRAFCD 2024 was convened to unite experts, researchers, industry professionals, and stakeholders across diverse fields. This conference aimed to explore innovative solutions, best practices, and collaborations within the intersections of communicable diseases, agriculture, food research, and biomedicine, emphasizing sustainable development’s critical role in addressing global health challenges. The objectives of this conference were multifaceted. We sought to foster interdisciplinary collaboration by providing a platform for knowledge sharing and encouraging innovative approaches towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the conference highlighted the importance of sustainable development in improving health outcomes and socio-economic progress. Key research and policy issues, such as disease prevention, sustainable agriculture, and the role of technology in health challenges, were addressed through keynote speeches, plenary sessions, and panel discussions. Finally, the conference facilitated networking and partnerships, offering opportunities for participants to connect and collaborate across academia, industry, government, and nongovernmental organizations. These interactions are expected to contribute significantly to the implementation of sustainable development initiatives. We express our sincere appreciation to the organizing committees, sponsors, moderators, speakers, reviewers, and all participants who contributed to the success of IRAFCD 2024. Your dedication and support have been instrumental in advancing the conference’s goals and making a meaningful impact on global health and sustainable development. List of Editors, Organizing Committee, Scientific Committee, Moderators, Speakers and Sponsors are available in this Pdf.

Integrating Sustainable Development Goals in local plans: Unlocking practices and challenges of local governments in Nepal

Local governments are pivotal in the implementation of sustainable development initiatives. However, the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local plans remains a significant challenge. In Nepal, there is an increasing recognition of the need to align local plans with the SDG framework to achieve holistic and inclusive development. This study explores the practices and challenges faced by local governments in integrating the SDGs into their plans, programs, and budgets. The qualitative case study method was adopted as a mode of inquiry. The findings reveal that local governments have yet to fully incorporate the SDG framework directly into their plans, programs, and budgets. They have yet to recognize the benefits of localization in effectively implementing and achieving the SDGs. Local governments face several challenges, including a lack of ownership, limited financial resources, insufficient SDG-friendly data, lack of institutional capacity, and weak coordination and cooperation. Despite these challenges, some local governments have formulated SDG-friendly periodic plans, while others are in the process of doing so. This study sheds light on the shift from an indirect to a direct approach in integrating the SDGs into local plans, programs, and budgets. This paper contributes to on-going efforts to promote sustainable development in Nepal by offering valuable insights to those involved in formulating and implementing local plans.

The Urgent Call for Academic Action: Rebooting SDGs to Reset Our Future

This manuscript, presented at GEEF2024, emphasizes the critical role of academia in revitalizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address current global challenges. The SDGs, adopted in 2015, aim to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development by 2030. However, progress has stalled due to financial constraints, governance issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical crises such as the Russian–Ukraine war. The COVID-19 pandemic has had multifaceted impacts, reversing poverty reduction trends and disrupting education and energy investments. It has also exacerbated social inequalities, leading to the conceptualization of COVID-19 as a syndemic, an ecodemic, and an econodemic. These terms highlight the pandemic's complex interplay with preexisting health issues, environmental degradation, and economic disparities. Geopolitical crises have further hindered SDG progress by disrupting food and energy supplies and diverting resources from sustainable development initiatives. Climate change, marked by unprecedented heatwaves and natural disasters, poses additional threats to achieving the SDGs. The need for carbon neutrality and effective international cooperation is more urgent than ever before. In this context, universities play a crucial role in advancing the SDGs through research, innovation, and community engagement. Engaged universities align their research agendas with the SDGs, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and developing solutions to global challenges. Yonsei University's Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE) exemplifies this approach with its Yonsei SDGs Initiative. By analyzing research outputs via natural language processing, the initiative aligns academic activities with SDGs, particularly in health and well-being. The GEEF2024 conference underscored the importance of innovative strategies and international cooperation in achieving the SDGs. Discussions highlighted the need to address mental health crises, low birth rates, and the care economy's undervaluation. The conference also emphasized the necessity of inclusive development strategies that reflect the perspectives and priorities of Africa and Asia.In conclusion, universities must integrate social engagement into their core missions to remain relevant and impactful. By prioritizing research, teaching, and services that contribute to sustainable development, academia can play a pivotal role in overcoming global challenges and achieving the SDGs.

Establishing the ESD and GCEd system in higher education: Analyzing the holistic approach of Yonsei University in South Korea

Purpose: This study assesses the Global Citizenship Education (GCEd) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) initiatives at the Yonsei Institute of Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE). The objective is to identify strengths and areas for improvement in promoting ESD and GCEd principles and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Design/Methodology/Approach: This research employs a comprehensive analysis framework to evaluate Yonsei IGEE's initiatives, including the "Understanding Sustainable Development with Ban Ki-moon" lectures, "Social Engagement Fund (SEF)" research program, "SDG Initiative," and "Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum (GEEF))." It considers objectives, environmental focus, pedagogical strategies, topic coverage, learning dimensions, and outcome measurement.Findings: Yonsei IGEE initiatives demonstrate strengths in terms of clear objectives, environmental focus, and pedagogical strategies. They complement each other, fostering synergy in promoting ESD and GCEd principles. The lecture series offers a holistic view of SDG issues, whereas SEF empowers students to address challenges practically. The SDG Initiative guides Yonsei's research community, and GEEF disseminates SDG knowledge and fosters collaboration.Originality: This study contributes originality in two aspects. First, it presents an innovative evaluation framework specifically designed to assess the diverse GCEd and ESD programs at Yonsei IGEE. This framework serves as a valuable tool for future evaluations of similar initiatives in higher education institutions. Second, the data and contents analyzed in this research, drawn from Yonsei IGEE's programs, are novel and provide unique insights into the efficacy of the GCEd and ESD efforts.

The Effectiveness of Restorative Justice in Resolving Juvenile Criminal Cases: An Examination of Legal and Social Perspectives

The objective of this research is to examine and address issues pertaining to the enforcement of the law in instances of violent criminal activity perpetrated by students of legal age who are enrolled in educational institutions. External factors, including association, education, and social environment, exert a significant influence on children's criminal behavior, which frequently originates from the tendency to emulate negative behaviors and the lack of adequate parental supervision. This research employs a normative legal approach to elucidate the nature of the penalties imposed upon minors who perpetrate criminal acts, as delineated in the Juvenile Criminal Justice System No. 11/2012. The findings indicate that to avert criminal conduct by minors, it is imperative to implement sustainable development initiatives that bolster the survival, physical, mental, and social advancement of children, while safeguarding them from threats that could jeopardize their future and the nation. The juvenile criminal justice system incorporates community involvement throughout the entirety of the case process. Crimes occurring within the community are shaped by the prevailing social conditions, along with individual factors pertaining to the perpetrators and victims. At the conclusion of each case, the community is tasked with facilitating the reintegration of offenders and victims back into the social milieu. This is achieved through either the establishment of new informal institutions or the reinforcement of existing formal ones.

Improved Population Mapping for China Using the 3D Building, Nighttime Light, Points-of-Interest, and Land Use/Cover Data within a Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression Model

Large-scale gridded population product datasets have become crucial sources of information for sustainable development initiatives. However, mainstream modeling approaches (e.g., dasymetric mapping based on Multiple Linear Regression or Random Forest Regression) do not consider the heterogeneity and multiscale characteristics of the spatial relationships between influencing factors and populations, which may seriously degrade the accuracy of the prediction results in some areas. This issue may be even more severe in large-scale gridded population products. Furthermore, the lack of detailed 3D human settlement data likewise poses a significant challenge to the accuracy of these data products. The emergence of the unprecedented Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) data package offers a possible solution to this long-standing challenge. Therefore, this study proposes a new Gridded Population Mapping (GPM) method that utilizes the Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model in conjunction with GHSL-3D Building, POI, nighttime light, and land use/cover datasets to disaggregate population data for third-level administrative units (districts and counties) in mainland China into 100 m grid cells. Compared to the WorldPop product, the new population map reduces the mean absolute error at the fourth-level administrative units (townships and streets) by 35%, 51%, and 13% in three test regions. The proposed mapping approach is poised to become a crucial reference for generating next-generation global demographic maps.

Challenges, Capabilities, and Proposed Initiatives for Capacity-building among Shelter Beneficiaries in Davao City, Philippines: A Case Study

Shelter programs stand out as powerful drivers of development, recognizing the rights of the urban beneficiaries in determining their well-being. This study emphasizes the Davao City Shelter Code as the nation’s pioneering local government-led shelter code initiative. The research utilizes a grounded theory approach, as it is well-suited for understanding complex, emerging phenomena within the shelter program and the challenges experienced by shelter beneficiaries. The study employed theoretical sampling and snowball sampling techniques to collect data while analyzing the challenges shelter beneficiaries face through an in-depth case study. For this purpose, 27 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted alongside 34 focus group discussions (FGDs) at four different resettlement sites. The findings underscore challenges linked to loss of livelihood due to displacement, skills training mismatch, and insufficient leadership skills experienced by the shelter beneficiaries. Despite these challenges, these shelter beneficiaries have illustrated their capabilities to start income-generating exercises with assurance to outlive, regularly with bolster from NGOs and private companies. Moreover, the inquiry recognizes proposed activities for capacity-building to improve protection conditions and advance the well-being of the recipients by and large. Finally, the researchers developed a model for the shelter program that outlines the steps that link challenges, capacity-building social resources, and autonomous well-being, ultimately leading to the creation of the ‘shelter-space model’. This model emphasizes sustainable networks and community development initiatives to improve living conditions, prevent dependency, and ensure active involvement among the shelter beneficiaries in Davao City, Philippines.

Indigenous Social Work Intervention Strategy for Sustainable Rural Community Development Initiative - A Case Study on Sri Vinayaka Self-Help-Group, Beechanahalli

Indigenous Social Work Intervention Strategy for Sustainable Rural Community Development Initiative - A Case Study on Sri Vinayaka Self-Help-Group, Beechanahalli

Land use land cover change in the African Great Lakes Region: a spatial–temporal analysis and future predictions

The African Great Lakes Region has experienced substantial land use land cover change (LULCC) over the last decades, driven by a complex interplay of various factors. However, a comprehensive analysis exploring the relationships between LULCC, and its explanatory variables remains unexplored. This study focused on the Lake Kivu catchment in Rwanda, analysing LULCC from 1990 to 2020, identifying major variables, and predicting future LULC scenarios under different development trajectories. Image classification was conducted in Google Earth Engine using random forest classifier, by incorporating seasonal composites Landsat images, spectral indices, and topographic features, to enhance discrimination and capture seasonal variations. The results demonstrated an overall accuracy exceeding 83%. Historical analysis revealed significant changes, including forest loss (26.6 to 18.7%) and agricultural land expansion (27.7 to 43%) in the 1990–2000 decade, attributed to political conflicts and population movements. Forest recovery (24.8% by 2020) was observed in subsequent decades, driven by Rwanda’s sustainable development initiatives. A Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network from Land Change Modeler predicted distinct 2030 and 2050 LULC scenarios based on natural, socio-economic variables, and historical transitions. Analysis of explanatory variables highlighted the significant role of proximity to urban centers, population density, and terrain in LULCC. Predictions indicate distinct trajectories influenced by demographic and socio-economic trends. The study recommends adopting the Green Growth Economy scenario aligned with ongoing conservation measures. The findings contribute to identifying opportunities for land restoration and conservation efforts, promoting the preservation of Lake Kivu catchment’s ecological integrity, in alignment with national and global goals.Graphical

Review of community development initiatives for poverty reduction in Southern Africa

There is a growing global recognition that community development has the potential to enhance the socio-economic status of resource-constrained rural communities. Many countries have established commu­nity development initiatives in rural areas to reduce pov­erty and improve social investment. However, numer­ous challenges hinder the implementation of community development initiatives that contribute to poverty re­duction in most of Southern Africa. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1, mandates all countries to end all forms of pov­erty by the year 2030. One approach to achieving this goal is to devise and implement sustainable community development initiatives. This review paper presents some best practices for how community development in­itiatives could reduce poverty in Southern Africa. The lit­erature collected from government reports, accredited journal articles, and other credible scientific writings from 2000 to 2022 was reviewed to triangulate sources of information and understand the state of community de­velopment initiatives. Several challenges were found to impede progress in poverty reduction and negatively impact sustainable community development. The effec­tiveness and sustainability of poverty reduction strate­gies implemented by countries in Southern Africa vary widely from country to country and within the country itself. The study provides recommendations and best practice models implemented within rural communities in Southern Africa.