Chronic Poverty Research Centre

The central aim of CPRC is to create knowledge that contributes to both the speed and quality of poverty reduction, with a focus on assisting those who are trapped in poverty, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

To this end, the Centre has three primary objectives, structured around three distinct streams that will be carefully sequenced and closely integrated:

1. The objective of THEMATIC RESEARCH is to deepen the understanding of poverty dynamics and particularly of the nature, causes and remedies of chronic poverty, including what the chronically poor already do to try to escape poverty, through analysis and development of appropriate combinations of research methodologies. The foundations of this work will lie in continuing to examine research approaches under three headings:

   1. Conceptualisation of poverty dynamics and persistent poverty;
   2. Empirical methods for studying poverty dynamics; and
   3. Empirical methods for studying intergenerational transmission of poverty.

   There will be three problem-focused basic research themes through which CPRC will seek to identify policy relevant causes of chronic poverty and advance theoretical understandings:

   4. Insecurity, risk and vulnerability;
   5. Assetlessness, low returns and inequality; and
   6. Adverse incorporation and social exclusion.

2. The objective of POLICY ANALYSIS is to assess key policy issues and aspects of the policy environments which have a bearing on chronic poverty, and to identify effective and sustainable policies to support the chronically poor in their efforts to improve their lives in varied policy contexts.

3. The objective of POLICY ENGAGEMENT is to contribute to a significant shift in policy through challenging governments, policy-makers and the public about the specific needs as well as the capabilities of chronically poor people, the neglect of their rights, and the policies and implementation strategies that can promote escape from and prevent entry into chronic poverty. The Centre also seeks to support the efforts of ‘agencies of the poor’ by developing with them a stronger evidence base on the policies which make a difference to the chronically poor.

As a means to achieve these objectives CPRC will seek to raise the capacity of researchers, policy analysts and advocates in the ‘north’ and ‘south’ to produce and disseminate knowledge that makes poverty reduction policy more effective.

For more details, download CPRC's Phase 3 proposal - October 2005-September 2010) (PDF) and Phase 2 research plan - April 2001-Sept 2005) (PDF)

• Back to About Us
• See a brief outline of what CPRC means by chronic poverty.
• See how CPRC contributes to the Millennium Development Goals.