Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) envisions a world without poverty caused by rural isolation. Evidence shows that rural trail bridges are one of the best interventions to alleviate poverty and amplify almost every development goal. Through subtle shifts within existing systems of planning, finance, and implementation, we are revolutionizing transportation infrastructure, and ending poverty caused by rural isolation in our lifetime. B2P uses a community-driven approach and intelligent technology to deliver multi-dimensional impact to thousands of communities worldwide by building trail bridges over impassable rivers, which are proven to transform rural economies and can be easily scaled by local governments. Our trail bridge programs are built to unlock opportunity, expand the reach of other development interventions, and ultimately eliminate poverty caused by rural isolation.

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The World Bank estimates that one billion rural individuals worldwide lack transportation access to markets, healthcare, education, and community connection which is essential to resilience in the face of a changing climate. B2P’s needs assessment studies indicate that this number is likely much higher. 

An estimated 80% of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas and depend on informal trail networks including temporary bridges built over fast-flowing rivers, which are largely neglected and unsafe. With an increase in extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and landslides, rural populations suffer severe consequences that are exacerbated by their lack of reliable connections to basic services. Almost all rural investments prioritize national and regional roads, leaving the most vulnerable communities without first-mile access to even the most fundamental existing services, let alone new investments or interventions. The size of this problem in Sub-Saharan Africa alone is 450 million people.

The urgency for action is very clear, an investment in trail systems addresses multiple dimensions of poverty through simple, long-lasting, and cost-effective interventions. Trail bridges create life-changing, multigenerational impact through a simple solution that influences outcomes at the individual, household, community, and regional levels. As income gaps widen and the effects of climate change intensify, the time to invest in rural infrastructure has never been more critical. By investing in trail infrastructure, we are bridging the gap and creating a brighter, more inclusive future for millions.

To date, B2P has constructed more than 450 trail bridges in multiple rural regions worldwide to provide safe access for over 1.5 million individuals. By 2030, our goal is to connect 10 million people to vital opportunities through the development of trail infrastructure in three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. We will catalyze long-term, sustainable rural trail investments to leverage the success, learnings, and partnerships of our work to expand the model across the continent and beyond.

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