Big Solution To Ending Global Poverty Smaller Than Many Think; New Research Links Ease Of Doing Business And Poverty Alleviation

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New research commissioned by Atlas Network has found that a five-unit increase on the World Bank's "Doing Business" scale represents a 1-percentage point reduction in poverty.

This finding supports what many experts are coming to conclude: that big development aid is broken, perhaps even harmful. Structural, top-down aid ? not temporary disaster relief ? is unavoidably flawed, and a more effective means of alleviating global poverty exists. Locally grown solutions, crafted by independent civil society organizations, represent the best chance to empower the world's poor to transcend their systemic economic deprivation.

"As a way to help the world's poor achieve lasting economic change, traditional aid has become widely discredited despite the best efforts of its practitioners," said Atlas Network Chief Operating Officer Matt Warner. "This leaves many philanthropists looking for an alternative way to make a difference. We invite them to help fuel the unique strategy of Atlas Network."

Atlas Network operates as a center of gravity in an international association of more than 475 local, independent civil society organizations in over 90 countries. It connects and supports its partner organizations in their missions to create locally grown policy solutions for their own countries.

"We support high-impact research and advocacy organizations around the world who are working to break down very specific barriers to economic opportunity in their countries," continued Warner. "Their local knowledge and leadership represent a critical missing piece in past efforts to push reforms from the outside. And our knowledge and ongoing partnership with them give us a winning track record investing in change. Thanks to this new research we helped support from the World Bank, the reforms we can achieve together translate into measurable reductions in global poverty."

The research was conducted by a team led by Simeon Djankov, creator of the World Bank's "Doing Business" report and former deputy prime minister and minister of finance of Bulgaria. The full research finding will be included in the World Bank's forthcoming "Doing Business" report.

Visit AtlasNetwork.org/Poverty to learn more.

To arrange for interviews with Matt Warner, Atlas Network's COO and lead poverty alleviation strategy expert, contact Daniel Anthony at [email protected] or (202) 449-8441.

About Atlas Network
Washington-based Atlas Network, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is in the unique position to leverage this new research and turn philanthropic gifts into direct, lasting, and sustainable poverty alleviation by providing our network of more than 475 local, independent partners in over 90 countries with coaching, competitive grant and award opportunities, and occasions to celebrate high-impact successes. Atlas Network does not receive funds from any government or quasi-government institutions. Since its founding and according to its bylaws, Atlas Network has relied solely on voluntary gifts from those who cherish the principles of a free society.

SOURCE Atlas Network