Implementing Rural Community Development

(RCD) Projects

Presented by

Stephen O Akinbile(Program Director)

Community Planning and Development Initiative (COPAD)

Toronto, Ontario, CanadaNovember 2015

Implementing Rural Community

Development (RCD) Projects

The GoalTo empower rural communities to find solutions to their socio-economic problems within their communities through the mobilization of both internal and external human and financial resources.

Objectives of RCD Projects

To facilitate communities mobilization and help to find solutions to local community-based problems through development projects and practical trainings.

To establish a comprehensive structure to facilitate Community Active Groups continuous activities and overall development.

To reduce employment rate though wealth creating projects.

Objectives of RCD Projects Contd. To encourage the mobilization and to

maximize the usage of the community natural/agricultural resources.

To facilitate a network of collaboration and synergy between communities at regional/municipal/national Govt. levels.

To improve the social-economic life of the target beneficiaries.

Examples of RCD Projects Road construction to the village Building of Health care centre Building of Schools/Community centres School supplies/provisions Building of Tourist centres Provision of clean water Vaccination program Pass-on-the gift projects Relevant manufacturing factories Capacity building/literacy programs

RCDP Implementation Stages Conception Acceptance Planning Implementing/Community participating Monitoring/Evaluation for Impact

indicators Sustainability/Continuity

Project Conception stage

The Change idea might come from:- The NGO/NPO The Government Village leaders Village native abroad A strong Communityneed.

“Please note that this list is not exhaustive”

Project Acceptance Stage Involve Community

Leaders. Consider their Norms

and beliefs. Create Ownership

mindset in them. Can they participate? Will the project be

sustainable?

Project Planning Stage

Project Implementation Stage Community participation Stakeholders involvement It’s a bridge.

Monitoring/Evaluation Stage

Project Sustainability

Principles for Sustainable Development:

External intervention should focus on HELPING local people find local solutions to local problems instead of CREATING solutions for them, and FACILITATING activities rather then DOING them.

Resources can be both internal and external, but external resources must be accompanied by corresponding internal resource and investments.

RCD Projects Challenges Sustainability of the projects Cultural barrier Selfish desire Illiteracy Lack of Common goals Religious barrier The motives of the projects Capital issues from the Funder(s)

Conclusion Rural community development programs require

long time commitment and significant resources. Lasting change within communities takes time - the development of communities is a long term, continuous process.

Community involvement is very crucial. Make sure you delivered the message and make

yourself clear before community gets the financial support.

Use any available resources already developed by your predecessor and/or the community people.

Community Active Group formation is an ongoing process and requires professional approach from the initiators.

Key Terms NGO/NPO/RCD/MDGs Impact Indicators Funding Agencies Poverty Alleviation/Reduction Focus group Community Participation Endo/Exogenous development Community Capacity-SWOT Capacity building Sustainable

Thank you for

listening!

Any Question?