China

Overview

Helping all segments of society gain access to community resources and government services will allow them to participate fully in China's growth.

The Regional Context

The extraordinary transformation of China's economy, society and standing in the world during recent years has brought new challenges. The focus on economic growth has led to stark disparities in wealth, status and the ability to access resources and opportunity. To meet these challenges, the country is shifting to a model of balanced and sustainable growth.

The existing disparities heighten the vulnerability of marginalized groups. Women face intensified discrimination in the modern marketplace. Migrant workers, people in rural communities and minority groups have fewer opportunities than others to share in the benefits of China's transformation.

Our Goal

The goal of our work is to develop the social sector and help marginalized groups access opportunities and resources.

By supporting research entities, civil society organizations and government institutions that share in this goal, we help disadvantaged people and communities participate as partners in China's development and help them gain essential resources to combat poverty, inequality and discrimination.

What We're Doing

Our work seeks systemwide improvements for disadvantaged groups. We focus on helping poor communities, women, migrants, minorities and other groups to:

Utilize the developing justice system
Retain access to sustainable natural resources
Make informed choices about their families and careers
Complete their school and college studies
Engage with government agencies
Access the services they need through civil society organizations

Our grant making in the region is pursued through the following initiatives.

Issue	Initiative
Democratic and Accountable Government	Strengthening Civil Society Promoting Transparent, Effective And Accountable Government
Human Rights	Reforming Civil And Criminal Justice Systems
Sustainable Development	Expanding Community Rights Over Natural Resources
Educational Opportunity and Scholarship	Transforming Secondary Education Advancing Higher Education Access And Success
Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights	Sexuality And Reproductive Health Education

From the Newsroom

In the Headlines: Sustainable Development Director on Putting People First Worldwatch Institute blogs two-part in-depth interview with David Kaimowitz
News from Ford: Ford Foundation Commits $85 Million to Advance Rural Land Rights and Reduce Climate Change Five-year program aims to empower rural communities in developing countries whose livelihoods depend on natural resources
In the Headlines: Letter to the Editor: On Natural Resource Stewardship Ford Foundation Director of Sustainable Development responds to recent New York Times article