One Man's Vision: The Borgen Project's Journey from Alaskan Fishing Docks to Global Advocacy

In 1999, amidst the harrowing Kosovo War and genocide, a young volunteer named Clint Borgen discovered a profound need for an organization to channel U.S. political attention towards extreme poverty. Fast forward to 2003, after graduating from Washington State University and interning at the United Nations, Borgen began laying the foundations for what would become The Borgen Project.

Clint Borgen – Bucha, Ukraine – February 2023

Startup funding was a challenge, leading Borgen to take an unconventional path—living and working on a fishing vessel in the remote Dutch Harbor, Alaska, famously known as the location for "The Deadliest Catch." With nothing more than a laptop and a budget scraped together from his Alaska paychecks, The Borgen Project was born. What started as a one-man initiative has since blossomed into a national campaign with supporters operating in 2256 U.S. cities.

The Borgen Project operates at the political level, focusing on policies and programs that uplift those living on less than $1 per day. From its humble beginnings, the organization has embraced a methodology rooted in advocacy, mobilization, education, and issue messaging.

Advocate: The Borgen Project actively engages with U.S. Congressional leaders to secure support for crucial poverty-reducing legislation. By participating in direct conversations with policymakers, the organization aims to influence decision-making at the highest levels.

Mobilize: The power of collective action is at the heart of The Borgen Project's success. With supporters spanning the globe, the organization mobilizes individuals to make poverty a political priority. By rallying people behind a shared cause, they amplify their impact and bring attention to issues that demand urgent solutions.

Educate: Understanding that advocacy is a skill that can be learned, The Borgen Project empowers citizens with basic advocacy skills. By teaching people how to effectively communicate with their government, the organization fosters a sense of agency among individuals, encouraging active participation in the political process.

Issue Message: The Borgen Project doesn't just address poverty; it builds awareness of global issues and innovations in poverty reduction. Through a strong online and community presence, the organization ensures that the broader public is informed about the challenges faced by those living in extreme poverty and the innovative solutions being implemented.

Today, The Borgen Project stands as a testament to one man's vision and the transformative power of grassroots advocacy. From the rugged docks of Dutch Harbor to the halls of Congress, the journey of The Borgen Project exemplifies the impact that passionate individuals can have when they commit to making poverty a political priority.

Addressing Overlapping Crises: Strategies for Strengthening Our Community

People throughout the world were devastated by the Covid-19 outbreak and Russia's conflict in Ukraine. The challenges that villagers are now increasingly experiencing include inflation, an energy crisis, food shortages, sluggish growth, massive debt problems, and a growing susceptibility to climate shocks. These problems now call for prompt and strategic solutions

I would advise that the State begin taking into account local strategies that can be used to generate energy sustainably to stop the escalating energy crisis. The recent surge in power outages has impacted most businesses.  It is better to use energy supplies from renewable sources in communities, such as wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal energy, as these simultaneously work to lessen the consequences of climate change. Dependence on foreign energy supplies has drawbacks when confronted with problems out of context, particularly political conflicts.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how vitally important a good education is. Health education ought to be a must. Using native and regional languages and formal languages, it is crucial to convey awareness of the seriousness of any diseases as well as the steps that may be taken to stop their spread. Additionally, it is important to provide locals with training and healthcare skills that they may learn locally. For example, the situation was intolerable during the COVID-19 pandemic until the villagers learned about wearing masks, cleaning, maintaining social distancing, and quarantining.

Due to unjust trading practices in the marketplace, certain farmers are unable to provide food for their communities. Local farmers now find it more difficult to sell their goods on the market as a result of the commercialization of food by industry behemoths. Thus, the government ought to enhance such policies and ensure that participation in the market is fair for all.

Pricillah Marisa

Human Resources Intern

The Borgen Project (https://borgenproject.org/)