Zimbabwe has a high population density with a well developed infrastructure. The country was once southern Africa’s breadbasket with surplus produce for export to the region. Recently, however, agricultural and industrial production has declined tremendously, leading to a deep economic recession.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic with an estimated infection rate of 25% of the adult population, deepening poverty and unfavorable environmental conditions (successive droughts), limited international support for development programs and depleted capacity in the social service sectors have gravely worsened the well-being and livelihood of vulnerable households.
IDE in Zimbabwe has been applying much of its effort in arresting poverty among thousands of vulnerable rural and urban households living under US$1 a day by employing livelihood improvement interventions.
Polak Wins Monito del Giardino Prize
(June 1, 2008) IDE Founder Paul Polak recently traveled to Florence, Italy, to accept the prestigious Il Monito del Giardino prize. The award, which included a €30,000 grant, is presented annually...
Friends of IDE Holds First Meeting
(June 18, 2008) A new group for Denver-area residents who want to get more involved with IDE will hold its first meeting Friday, June 27, from 6-8 p.m...
Polak's Out of Poverty Now Available
(February 15, 2008) In this hard-hitting new book,IDE Founder Paul Polak tells why traditional poverty eradication programs have fallen so short, and how he and his organization developed an alternative approach that has succeeded in lifting 17 million people out of poverty...
IDE Receives Second Grant From Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
(January 25, 2008) IDE today announced a grant of $27 million over four years from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in support of its micro-irrigation programs for Indian smallholder farmers...
Zimbabwe has a high population density with a well developed infrastructure. The country was once southern Africa’s breadbasket with surplus produce for export to the region. Recently, however, agricultural and industrial production has declined tremendously, leading to a deep economic recession. 
