By: Sudharma Elakanda

Why & How VSHLI Began in early 2000

• Records indicated during last 50 yrs. Huge amount funds were allocated for RD.

• But, No significant development seen in Rural Villages.

• Very little has gone to the community

• Wanted to rethink & text an a new sustainable model

Proposed

Developme

nt project

Commission

Ineffi

ciency

Wast

age

Development

DonationFunds

Corruptio

n

Reality Was……Reality Was……

Bimpokuna

Bandanagala

Maguldamana

Mahaulpatha

Bogaswawa

Ulapathgama

Deiyannewela

Wiharagama

Kaudulugama

1st Batch - 3 Villages

2nd Batch - 6 Villages

3rd Batch - 6 Villages

4th Batch - 8 Villages (Started Awareness)

5th Batch – 7 Villages

(Started Awareness)

Location of theProject &Villages

To Develop an Innovative Model of

Participatory Development that addresses

Poverty Reduction in Rural Sri Lanka

Broad Objective of the VSHLI Pilot was-

1. Appropriate Institutional Mechanism that operationalizes participatory planning at

Village Level

3.Increase Access of the Community to Resources &

Services thus leading to Sustainable Development

2. Empower Communities to take their own Decisions Effectively

This Model would Test following steps

Project Components

• Funding Village Priority Investments

• Capacity Building

• Income Generating Activities.

Hypothesis

If people are empowered, they have better

access to resources and services which

enables them to identify options for

productive/ potential opportunities in the

village and thus move out of the poverty trap.

Key Strategies & Objectives of VSHLI

• Holistic Development

• Focus on Poor.

• Broad Participation.

• Direct Financing.

• Community Contribution.

• Provide Information/Capacity Building

• Transparent & Open Process.

VSHLI: Unique Strategies

VSHLI is founded on learning from a real life village interaction; it adopts approaches and strategies based on lessons learned so far:

VSHLI supports Holistic and Integrated development Approach at community level: Supports development around a Village Development Plan . Communities are given a budget envelop within which they manage and implement several subprojects simultaneously.

Participation and Inclusion: participation right from inception to the final stages; participation and contribution by all

Cont./

VSHLI: Unique Strategies

Partnership: Community linkages with Government, NGOs, Private Sector & Service Providers.

Empowering Communities through Information, Resources, Training and Exposure

Funds given directly to communities to manage (choose priorities, hire labour, contractors, manage funds, etc.) their own activities by themselves.

Transparency and Accountability

Institutional Arrangement

• Small Groups• Clusters• VSCO• Maha Shaba.• Village Company/Association/SPCs• Social Audit Committee• Federation• CPLTC

Fund-FlowCommunity

Contribution

Government/ Project Funds

Village Organization

Finance Committee

Procurement Committee

Audit Committee

Capacity Building

• Training/Workshops

• Goods/Equipment

• Administration

FinancialAgreement

Membership Fees/Shares

MOU

IGA

Sub

Committee/VSCO

SP1

SP2

SP3

MOU1

Cash Contribution

MOU2

Governance Mechanism- Golden Rules

• Community taking the lead with: Honesty, integrity and mutual respect Equality Justice for everyone Minimum waste No corruption Adherence to plans Seeking support when needed

Now community have 10 Golden Rules which displayed by Gemidiriya in the Brochures

Challenges Faced- CDD Projects

1. Transforming the role of Public Sector:

a. from a “doer” to a “facilitator”

b. from a “process driven” to an “outcome driven” activity

2. Weaning away the dependent mentality inherent in most rural communities.

3. Building partnerships with Private Sector individuals and institutions: suspicion & distrust

4. Direct financing of communities: Rigid Govt. Financial Procedures

5. Building a Large Resource Team to undertake scaled –up Project

Thank you for your Attention