Contemporary approaches to development perceive civic engagement as one of the key ingredients to poverty reduction. Efforts to stimulate community development through participation aim to combat the growing poverty and powerlessness that have accompanied modernist development discourse. The intention of civic engagement in development policies and practices is to promote the active engagement of individuals working in collectives to change problematic conditions as well as to influence policies and programs that affect the quality of their lives or that of others. The concept of civic engagement is used in policy circles and this essay defines how civic engagement can reduce poverty. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayThe word “poverty” derives from the French word “poor” which means poor. Poverty means not having enough money to meet basic needs such as food, water, shelter or a toilet. It means the state of lack of material goods, that is, having little or no means to meet one's needs. Civic engagement is considered in policy circles as the main channel for active participation of community members in shaping the outcomes of development projects. For Kaufman and Alfonso, effective civic engagement can lead to social and personal empowerment, economic development, and sociopolitical transformation. The potential of civic engagement to reverse power relations and empower the poor and give them voice is well noted in the development literature. Thus, most development projects should feature a modicum of civic engagement, revealing the widespread appeal for civic engagement in contemporary development thought and practice. Civic engagement is a widely used concept in development policies and practices. Civic engagement in development practices emphasizes the involvement of community members in the entire planning process, from project initiation to closure. Civic engagement structures create social capital for community engagement and motivate people to become involved in the affairs of their community. The role of community members in shaping development project outcomes is critical to the success of development interventions and eventually poverty reduction. Civic engagement occupies a very important place in development, poverty reduction and rural development. Cornwall and Coehlo write that the concepts of participation and poverty reduction bring optimism and determination and have shaped development discourse and policy for some time. Growing evidence supports Cornwall and Brook's contention that civic engagement in development projects leads to poverty reduction and sustainable development. Specifically, civic engagement empowers the poor by building their capacity through skills training to actively engage in the development process. Active empowerment in community activities often leads to the empowerment of local community members. Participation and empowerment are mutually reinforcing. For Labonté and Laverack, empowerment is the process by which individuals acquire control over the factors and decisions that shape their.