Shack/Slum Dwellers International
Slum/Shack Dwellers International (SDI) is a global network of community-based organizations of the urban poor. Operating in over 30 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, SDI supports and empowers informal settlement residents to improve their living conditions through self-organization, data collection, and direct engagement with local and national governments. The network facilitates peer-to-peer learning and exchange, advocating for pro-poor urban policies and community-led development initiatives to address issues such as housing, sanitation, and tenure security.
About Us
SDI works by strengthening federations of the urban poor, enabling them to build collective power and voice. This involves strategies like community enumerations and mapping of informal settlements, which generate crucial data to negotiate with authorities and plan upgrading projects. SDI's model emphasizes the agency of the poor, positioning them as key drivers of urban change rather than passive recipients of aid. Through cross-city and cross-country exchanges, member federations share experiences and strategies, fostering a global movement for inclusive cities. Their work contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to poverty eradication and sustainable cities.
Vision
A world where urban poor communities are recognized as central actors in shaping equitable, resilient, and inclusive cities, ensuring that no one is left behind in urban development.
Mission
To build and strengthen autonomous organizations of the urban poor, enabling them to collectively articulate their demands, generate data, and engage with local governments to improve their living conditions and secure their tenure in informal settlements. SDI aims to foster a global movement where the urban poor lead their own development processes.
Culture
SDI operates on a foundation of community-led action, mutual learning, and solidarity. Its culture is deeply rooted in grassroots empowerment, emphasizing participatory decision-making, peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and collective action. It fosters an environment of advocacy, innovation in problem-solving for urban challenges, and a commitment to social justice and human rights within the context of urban development. Collaboration, respect for local knowledge, and a commitment to dignity are central to its ethos.
Specialties & Industries
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