What is GCAP?

A Global Call against Poverty

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is a growing alliance of trade unions, community groups, faith groups, women and youth organisations, NGOs and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, we demand solutions that address the issues of

• Public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights
• Trade justice
• A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development
• Debt cancellation
• Gender equality must also be at the heart of eradicating poverty.

Who are the members of GCAP?

This global alliance is made up of a diverse range of coalitions, community groups, trade unions, individuals, faith groups and campaigners, who are all committed to the fight against poverty. These groups have formed country-based coalitions in more than 100 countries who support and promote GCAP’s demands and enable concerned citizens to join with GCAP, to put pressure on their country’s leaders and decision makers.

Find out more about the organisations, groups and campaigners who form GCAP.  Click here for GCAP Mapping

What is the White Band?

GCAP supporters are united by their use of the white band. The white band is the symbol that people, towns and cities all over the world can adopt to show their support and keep the anti-poverty message highly visible. Find out more about the white band and how it is used.

History of GCAP

In September 2003, prominent activist on women and children’s issues, Graca Machel, hosted a group of southern non-governmental issues in Maputo, Mozambique. It was here, with other prominent civil society activists such as Civicus Secretary-General Kumi Naidoo that the idea of a Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) was first aired. More...

What happened in 2005?

During 2005 GCAP members and supporters took more than 38 million actions around the world to put pressure on politicians and world leaders, who where attending crucial meetings that could, if the right decisions where made, commit to overcoming poverty. Check the photo gallery and the whitebandbook

What happened in 2006?

In 2006, GCAP members and supporters took part in a global month of action in September and October. On the 16th and 17th October 23.5 million people around the world Stood Up Against Poverty and in doing so set a new Guinness World Record and sent out a powerful message to national and global political leaders. Click here for the Events in 2006

What happened in 2007?

In 2007, national coalitions focused their efforts on

• International Women’s Day (March 8th)
• The G8 in Germany (June 2nd)
• The midway point for the Millennium Development Goals (July 7^th)
• International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17^th)
• IFIs Annual Meetings actions
• Global Day of Action against Climate Change (December 8th)