While poverty and inequality is predominantly the reality in the Global South, a growing number of people in industrialised countries share a similar fate. Stagnant working class wages, austerity policies and deindustrialisation deepen the divide in societies. However, change is happening on the frontlines of poverty and inequality.

Our new series "CHANGE"

For our series we are collaborating with individuals as well as organisations which support change makers and those fighting on the front lines of the world's most pressing issues.

For the start we are introducing some of the fellows of the Acumen Academy UK, our first partner for this series.

food heroes around the world are making a difference

This year's World Food Day theme is 'Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together' with a focus on our #FoodHeroes – from farmers to factory workers, food delivery drivers and grocery shop workers.

But in order to produce food more sustainably and reduce the sheer volume of food waste we are seeing every single day, we must all become food heroes on some level and begin to consume more consciously. Local, seasonal produce is key in creating jobs in all of our communities while we learn together to sustain ourselves without waste.

Everyone across our food chain has an important role to play – and that means you too! Check out our list of everyday actions to become a food hero and make healthy food and sustainable habits a part of your lifestyle.

global poverty is on the rise again, after 22 years

International Day to Eradicate Poverty is here to highlight the challenge of achieving social and environmental justice for all, and how in many ways this year we have seen large regression in the eradication of poverty.

Social justice cannot be fully realised without aggressively rectifying environmental injustices at the same time. According to the UN, "Whereas progress has been made in addressing income poverty, there has been less success in addressing the other important dimensions of poverty, including the rapidly growing impact of the environment," as well as war and civil unrest, with some countries suffering heavily right now.

The spread of COVID-19 in Afghanistan for example has exacerbated an already precarious situation in the country. As the rate of infections continues to rise, Afghans face the multi-faceted threat of a deadly virus, an ongoing military conflict, acute poverty and food insecurity, and alarmingly weak healthcare infrastructure.

Afghanaid is a not-for-profit organisation that supports hundreds of thousands of Afghans across 4 provinces, employing mostly locals to carry out the work; it mobilises initiatives for sustainable rural development as well as community development.