The Rotary theme for the month of October is Economic and Community Development. This month also includes International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on the 17th and World Polio Day on the 24th of October.

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 seven 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.

Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. According to the United Nations, global unemployment increased from 170 million people in 2007 to nearly 202 million in 2012, about 75 million of whom were young women and young men. Projections indicate that global unemployment is expected to decrease further to 5.3 per cent in 2023, equivalent to 191 million people. 

October, Rotary Economic and Community Development Month, is a great opportunity to leverage your vocational skills to help meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 8: promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Read on for ideas on how to empower members of your community. 

Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty. Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation have adopted seven areas of focus as organizational priorities:
Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
Disease prevention and treatment
Maternal and child health
Basic education and literacy
Economic and community development
Water and sanitation
Environment

90 million people are funding their business endeavours through microfinance

✓ Partner with local microlenders 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 non-profit 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