Abstract

The article sought to examine some of the effective approaches used by NGOs from small countries and local community partners in reducing incidence of poverty and most importantly, create reliable livelihood sources for poor people in rural northern Ghana. An ethnographic case study design was used in gathering data over a combined period of nine months in 2018 and 2019 of the operations of an NGO from Estonia. Results revealed that when the small international NGO and rural entrepreneurs combine resources together, they fast track the livelihood empowerment process. Also, application of business principles by rural social entrepreneurs increases their innovation and output. The study concluded that social innovation principles of triggers, agents, process, innovation, and implication are applied as background engine for livelihood support programs to ensure positive outcomes.