About Practical Action

Practical Action was founded in 1966 as the Intermediate technology development Group (ITDG) by a small group of inspired people led by Dr. E F Schumacher, economist and author of Small is Beautiful. Since then, Practical Action has gone from strength to strength and now has offices in seven countries-Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Zimbabwe-across the globe.

With a vision to make this world free of poverty and injustice in which technology is used to the benefit of all, Practical Action has a unique approach to development we don't start with technology, but with people. The tools may be simple or sophisticated but to provide long-term, appropriate and practical answers, they must be firmly in the hands of local people: people who shape technology and control it for themselves.

Practical Action believes that the right idea however small can change lives. It can create jobs, improve health and livelihoods, and help people have better lives. That's why we've been working with poor people to develop the skills and technology that will enable them to build a better future.

Practical Action's approach really is unique and we focus our work on four key areas:

• Helping reduce the vulnerability of poor people affected by natural disasters, conflict and environmental degradation – events which, sadly, are increasing.
• Helping poor people to make a better living by enabling producers to improve their production, processing and marketing.
• Helping poor communities gain access to basic services like safe, clean water, food, housing and electricity.
• Helping poor communities respond to the challenges of new technologies, helping them to access simple effective technologies that can change lives forever.

In everything we do, Practical Action is about bringing positive, lasting change to people's lives.

Practical Action's Regional office (India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan)

Practical Actions association with this part of the world began almost 25 years ago with a range of technologies and several marginalized communities. But the formal office was only established 17 years ago.

Making a beginning with the renewable energy options and food processing, the organization moved on to working with the communities on various sectors like water security, renewable energy, strengthening transport and fisheries, diverse agro processing options, community governance, rural business incubation centres and promoting community based disaster management to name a few.

About Practical Answers

Practical Answers is a project of Practical Actions South Asia programme based in Sri Lanka.

This project provides practical answers to the communities' problems so that they are better equipped and empowered with technical skills and information that has a direct bearing on improved quality of life and gainful livelihoods The project offers a wide range of information on appropriate technologies, approaches and related policies on agriculture, renewable energy, natural resource management, housing, fisheries, working with urban poor and transport. Listed below are some exclusive features of Janthakshan service, which make Practical Answers different from any other web based service provider in Sri Lanka.

• Online information supplied is of direct relevance to the individual enquiry
• Personalized service and context specific information is supplied
• Linking with experts drawn from different fields
• Availability of offline systems and resources
• Answers to the technical enquiries are provided in local languages
• Technical information on a wide range of issues such as energy, housing, waste management, natural resource management etc
• Technical information is also available in easy-to-understand user friendly formats such as CDs, podcasts, technical briefs etc