"History has shown us that simply throwing money at complex issues such as combating extreme poverty is not enough. We need to ensure programmes and initiatives that are set up to tackle these problems are based on an in-depth knowledge of the underlying issues and conflicting interests that come into play, as well as a sound foundation of past experience and on-the-ground knowledge. RESULTS have this knowledge and the capacity to inspire others to influence funding decision-makers to make the right decisions that will achieve the best outcomes for those in extreme poverty."

Kathryn Ripley, 27, London

At RESULTS we believe that it’s essential for us to measure our impact on reducing poverty. We achieve change through mobilising additional funds for development and ensuring that existing funds are used effectively.

Here are some recent highlights:

• The Department for International Development (DFID) announced a grant of £12 million for research into new tools to fight tuberculosis, the world’s largest infectious killer;
• Pushing DFID to implement its policy on inclusive education to ensure that their support for education reaches the one third of out of school children who are living with a disability, without whom we cannot reach Millennium Development Goal 2 on universal primary education;
• Ensuring that poverty reduction is at the heart of DFID’s new ‘Capacity-building Facility for Microfinance in Africa’ and that social performance indicators are incorporated as part of its design. This will ensure the facility supports microfinance that really delivers for the poor;
• Challenging the UK Government to support micro crop insurance through climate change adaptation funding to ensure that poor farmers are protected from the effects of weather disasters – the government is currently considering its options for supporting microinsurance through ‘Fast Start’ climate funding; and
• DFID Ministers for the first time explicitly stated that they oppose user fees for basic healthcare, which prevent the poor from accessing the care they need, and that they will support developing countries to remove fees where they aim to.