We are a global network of slum dwellers driving a collective, bottom-up change agenda for inclusive and resilient cities.
Slum Dwellers International (SDI) is a global network anchored by a transnational poor people’s movement working to create inclusive, resilient cities where slum dwellers’ lives are substantively improved. Committed to social justice, we champion community-led, citywide slum upgrading to expand access to essential services, secure tenure, and economic opportunities for the world’s one billion slum dwellers. By improving the lives of those who make up the urban majority in the Global South, we enhance citywide development outcomes and contribute to global efforts to protect people and planet.
SDI’s community-generated Theory of Change, developed through network-wide reflection and dialogue, guides impact-oriented priorities and accountabilities. It defines the outcomes we seek, how change is understood by slum dwellers, and the actions we will take. While presented as distinct, the four pathways are designed to intersect and reinforce one another, creating a coherent, strategic approach to achieving impact.
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Rooted in our Theory of Change, the SDI Strategic Plan 2023–2027 was shaped through a robust participatory process that centered slum dwellers. This involved a community-led internal review of SDI’s impact during the last Strategic Planning period, a series of community-led national, regional and global dialogues, Secretariat and Board reviews; and a participatory global situational analysis.
Tracking progress and impact is essential. Centering slum dwellers is non-negotiable. SDI’s community-led Learning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (LME) Playbook — co-created by federation members and support professionals — uses both hard data and rich stories to evidence impact. Grounded in the Theory of Change, LME methods are embedded in existing community practices, ensuring slum dwellers lead in defining, assessing and driving change.
SDI is a community-led network. Based on this core principle, our governance structure is comprised of majority slum dwellers at the Council and Board level. Our Secretariat in Cape Town, South Africa is responsible for implementing the activities of the network, as determined by the communities.
