Program area focus:  

• Ensuring secure sources of food and water for the poor in both rural and urban areas by focusing on institutional development, production technology, local resource management, and by appropriate policy choices;
• Improving human health and well-being by better managing ecosystems;
• Protecting local management and control of biodiversity in light of global initiatives and policies governing genetic resources.

Program initiatives:

• Pobreza Rural y Medio Ambiente
  PRMA apoya investigación focalizada en las necesidades de las poblaciones pobres rurales que viven en ecosistemas frágiles o degradados.

• Programa de Pobreza Urbana y Ambiente (UPE)
  

      El Programa sobre Pobreza Urbana y Medio Ambiente (UPE) financia investigación y actividades en países en desarrollo  que apliquen enfoques integrados y participativos para reducir las cargas ambientales que afectan a los pobres de las ciudades y mejorar el uso de los recursos naturales con el fin de propiciar la seguridad en materia de alimentos, agua e ingresos.

• Enfoques Ecosistémicos en Salud Humana
  Esta iniciativa apoya investigaciones sobre la relación entre todos los componentes de un ecosistema, con el fin de definir y evaluar los problemas prioritarios que inciden en la salud de las personas y en la sustentabilidad de su ecosistema.

• Office for Central and Eastern Europe Initiatives (OCEEI)
  IDRC no longer actively supports this project, but maintains this site to ensure that others have access to its research outputs

• Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA)
  A program to support African countries in their efforts to adapt to climate change through action research and capacity development.

• Environmental Economics
  This program aims to strengthen local capacity for the economic analysis of environmental problems so that researchers can provide sound advice to policymakers.

• IDRC and Partners at the Third World Urban Forum 2006
  Vancouver, Canada, is hosting the third World Urban Forum (WUF3) 19-23 June 2006, where IDRC and its partners are staging five networking events and a series of related activities, including an international photo competition, "Expose Urban Solutions." Join us for a week of hands-on learning, knowledge-sharing, and networking.

• WaDImena
  The Regional Water Demand Initiative for the Middle East and North Africa (WaDImena) promotes water demand management approaches and policies in the region.