Scope & Location

DWF specialises in the broad scope of human settlement issues: improved access to safe durable shelter, better rural and urban environments, supporting income generation activities, small enterprise development and helping access to targeted credit. Training and capacity development is at the heart of our work, and we work with construction workers, artisans, local business and community groups, leaders and individuals, as well as our own project staff, all of whom participate in a wide range of training programmes adapted to their needs. We have over 30 years experience of working in more than 25 countries in Africa and Asia.

• DWF contributes to strengthening capacity within communities and local organisations in order to improve their ability to resolve problems and enhance opportunities in a sustainable manner.
• DWF contributes to resolving the conflicting pressures between sustainable environment resource management and meeting shelter and settlement needs with today’s available resources and skills.
• DWF develops capacities for safe, achievable and affordable shelter and services in rural and urban areas using the resources that are locally available.
• DWF develops skills and local practices to reduce vulnerability and the impact of future disasters (such as cyclones, floods and earthquakes) on shelter.
• DWF actively promotes the development of local responsibility for programme management.

DWF is:

• Committed to long-term and sustainable development - programmes develop over years with local partners in the community.
• Mindful of the value of indigenous knowledge and expertise - Our projects respect traditional values and ways of working and help them meet new requirements and realistic resources. We work directly with local stakeholders - families and communities - and local organisations. See Indigenous Building & the Third World
• Decentralised, with project decision making and responsibility developed locally.
• Committed to pioneering innovative strategies and learning from this experience to improve practice.