Contemporary approaches to development perceive civic engagement as one of the key ingredients for poverty reduction. The effort to stimulate community development through participation is to address the growing poverty and powerlessness that have accompanied the modernist discourse on development. The intent of civic engagement in development policies and practices is to promote the active engagement of individuals working collectively to change problematic conditions and influence policies and programs that affect the quality of their lives or the lives of others. The concept of civic engagement is used in political circles and this essay defines how civic engagement can reduce poverty. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The word “poverty” comes from the French word “pauvre” meaning poor. Poverty means not having enough money for basic needs such as food, water, shelter or sanitation. It means the state of lacking material goods and having little or no means to support oneself. Civic engagement is considered in political circles as the main channel for the active involvement 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 provide poor people with agency and voice is well noted in the development literature. Therefore, most development projects are expected to feature a minimum of civic engagement, revealing the widespread interest in civic engagement in contemporary development thinking and practice. Civic engagement is a widely used concept in development policy and practice. 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 engage in the affairs of their communities. The role of community members in determining the outcomes of development projects is critical to the success of development interventions and possibly poverty reduction. Civic engagement has played a very important role in development, poverty reduction and rural development. Cornwall and Coehlo write that the concepts of participation and poverty reduction carry the allure of optimism and purpose and have shaped development discourse and policy for some time now. A growing body of evidence supports Cornwall and Brook's assertion that civic engagement in development projects leads to poverty reduction and sustainable development. Specifically, civic engagement empowers the poor by developing their capacities 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 through which people gain control over the factors and decisions that shape their lives. The empowering effects of civic engagement in poverty reduction occur at the individual and collective levels. At an individual level, giving people the knowledge, skills and confidence to address their needs and defend their interests improves.