A COMPANY tackling overseas poverty has been given a funding grant.

Action on Poverty, based in Cropthorne, has been awarded a funding grant by the UK Government to work with communities in Sierra Leone.

The charity, works with vulnerable groups in 15 rural communities bringing much needed benefit to over 30,000 people.

Action on Poverty chief executive, Alex Daniels said: “It is fantastic that the UK government has acknowledged the need to reduce poverty and food insecurity in the Moyamba District of Sierra Leone through the UK Aid Direct scheme.

“Our work aims to improve livelihoods and earning potential within the district, especially for women and young people, which will in turn allow individuals to support them and their families, to reduce malnutrition and to create sustainable structures that will support current and future generations.”

Overall, The Action on Poverty project has received over £500, 000 for their work in Sierra Leone.

They help people improve their lives through training in food security, learning how to access to resources, markets, and knowledge in agriculture.

This grant comes in the second round of funding from UK Aid Direct, announced by the Department for International Development.

In total, 30 small and medium sized civil society organisations, who work on a wide range of issues throughout the developing world will benefit.

As well as projects focussed on disability inclusion, funding will also be provided to projects working on food security and nutrition as well preventing violence against women and children.

UK Aid Direct has already reached more than 3 million people, through 147 grants, across 31 countries.

Announcing the latest round of funding Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt said: “Small and medium sized charities, like Action on Poverty, offer a wealth of experience, expertise and skills essential to our mission to find innovative new solutions to complex development problems.

“Many of these charities represent the best of British expertise and I am extremely proud that through UK Aid Direct, we are strengthening our great partnerships with them to improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty.”