HOW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT CAN HELP REDUCE POVERTY IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES

Persistent poverty remains a significant challenge in many low-income communities, particularly in developing regions, where economic deprivation is often reinforced by social exclusion, weak institutions, and limited access to essential services.Despite decades of government-led and donor-driven interventions, poverty rates in these communities remain stubbornly high, suggesting that top-down approaches alone are insufficient to address the complex and localized nature of poverty.In recent years, community-led approaches have gained increasing attention as effective pathways for sustainable poverty reduction.By actively involving community members in decision-making, planning, and implementation, these approaches enhance local ownership, strengthen social capital, and ensure that development initiatives are responsive to the actual needs and priorities of the population.Community engagement and empowerment not only improve the effectiveness of poverty interventions but also contribute to long-term resilience and self-reliance within low-income communities. The purpose of this article is to examine how community engagement and empowerment can contribute to poverty reduction in low-income communities, and toErica Elikplim Dumashie https://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJARSSH 2