The aim of the Power Tools series is to provide some practical help to those working to improve the policies and institutions that affect the lives of poor people. This first tool sheet describes what can be involved in such work, why it is worth doing, who should get involved, and how to get started.

A summary card of this tool is available to download in four languages in PDF format:

English (44K) | French (44K) | Spanish (42K) | Portuguese (45K)

The complete tool is also available (PDF format):

English (129K, 10pp) | French (124K, 11pp) | Spanish (125K, 10pp ) | Portuguese (162K, 10pp)

Please cite this tool as:

Mayers, J. 2005. Getting started. Power tools series. International Institute for Environment and Development, London, UK.

For further information:

• Contact James Mayers (james.mayers@iied.org) or Sonja Vermeulen (sonja.vermeulen@iied.org)
• Mayers, J. and Bass, S. 1999. Policy that works for forests and people. Series Overview. International Institute for Environment and Development, London. (Summary on www.iied.org/NR/forestry/projects/ptw.html)
• Visit www.livelihoods.org