Long term development
At Oxfam, we believe in a future without poverty. That’s why our programs work to create solutions to poverty that last, now and into the future.
Ending poverty in the future starts in the present
To tackle the inequalities that keep people in poverty, we need to lay the groundwork for a better future today.
Poverty is about more than an individual’s financial situation. It exists because the world we live in doesn’t treat everyone equally.
Every day, people experience discrimination, exclusion and injustice that excludes them from earning a decent wage, having a voice in their communities, getting an education or meeting their basic needs for food, shelter and healthcare. This discrimination can be on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexuality and gender identity, to name a few.
The systems that our society is built on are designed to benefit a small few at the expense of the many. Whether it’s unfair tax systems, climate policy that favours polluters or corporations denying their workers a living wage, these systems amass wealth at the top and fuel poverty for everyone else.
Our unique approach to long term development
By addressing poverty without tackling the systems that fuels it, we’d be setting ourselves up for that cycle to repeat as soon as our projects are done.
That’s why Oxfam is unique. We work alongside local partners to understand the challenges facing the communities we work with and to develop projects that will create lasting change and global development for generations to come.
We delve deep to understand why a person or community are experiencing poverty and the underlying inequality. This can look like helping communities adopt more climate-resilient farming practices, running LGBTQIA+ inclusion workshops, supporting women to lead or connecting First Peoples with politicians to create change.
Whatever the project, our aim is always to work with communities to tackle the root causes of poverty so that when we step back, communities continue to thrive.
Want to learn more about our long term development projects?
Explore our project evaluations and more in our Resource Hub.
Because there are different causes of poverty, our areas of work include climate, gender, economic, First Peoples justice, in addition to our humanitarian work.
Our stories
When you support Oxfam, you help create a world without the inequality that fuels poverty. Here’s what that looks like for the communities we work with.
Want to stay up-to-date on our work around the world?
Explore our news and blogs to learn more about current and future projects, humanitarian work, our campaigns for change and more.
COP30 falls short, offering a ‘spark of hope but far more heartbreak’ – Oxfam Australia
In response to the outcome of COP30, Oxfam Australia Policy and Advocacy Lead Josie Lee says: “Australia made some incremental progress at COP30, but the biggest barrier to meaningful climate action remains unchanged: developed countries like ours are still failing to provide the climate funding low-income countries urgently need. Australia built its wealth on coal […]
Australia must show real climate leadership as COP31 President: Oxfam Australia
Responding to today’s announcement that COP31 will be hosted in Türkiye, with Australia presiding over negotiations, Oxfam Australia is calling on the Australian Government to show strong climate ambition and leadership, while ensuring Pacific and First Peoples voices are at the forefront. As COP31 President, Minister Chris Bowen must commit to meaningful Pacific and First […]
24,000 millionaires pocket half of capital gains tax break: Oxfam Australia
Nearly 50% of the capital gains tax discount went to just 24,000 people who earned over $1 million in 2022–23, according to a new Oxfam Australia report, as the anti-poverty organisation calls on the Australian government to better tax wealth and end unfair tax discounts. On average, each of these individuals gained a staggering $271,000 […]
Climate justice
The climate crisis will affect all of us, but not equally. Together, we can protect the planet and all people — let’s make our future fair, safe and equal.
