ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how different parties—international governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, local governments and businesses—play their part in the common goal of poverty alleviation and focuses on businesses and their role. Poverty is one of the world's biggest problems, and poverty alleviation has long been seen as a task of governmental institutions and aid agencies. Traditional markets are dominated by the poverty and isolation found in the rural villages of the developing world. To alleviate poverty, the necessity of regulation in certain areas cannot be neglected and the definition of corporate social responsibility from the European Union has its place. Too many factors for poverty alleviation depend on governments and are often out of the control of companies. Companies contribute to poverty alleviation in several ways. Philanthropic activities and volunteering are one possibility. The notion of opportunity, systemised by Hart and Milstein, stimulates creativity to find new, market-based solutions for poverty alleviation on a corporate level.
