Save the Children Community Investment Program Third Year Extension

Thursday, 05 April 2007

Achievements obtained through successful implementation of two year Community Mobilization and Development Program conducted by Save the Children (SC) International NGO at the western part of the pipeline became a solid base for further intervention of the program into this area. In September 2005 in order to further straighten capacities of communities on the western part of the pipeline BTC/SCP granted SC implementation of the Star and Nascent Communities Program as CIP third year extension, which was based on a Living University Concept. The program implemented by Save the Children helps 25 selected CIP communities to establish lasting linkages between the Ijma group and local government structures for sustained community development, as well as improve their social infrastructure and services through the implementation of second round micro-projects. SC continues development work with communities mobilized during the initial period of the program, improves their capacity through advanced trainings, mentoring, peer learning and project implementation. For this, a comprehensive community development concept called Living University Concept has been applied. Living University is an efficient and effective mechanism that imparts/transfers successful local experience of and the accumulated knowledge of Star communities to other communities which are lacking this knowledge and experience. Living University combines various methods such as training, mentoring and practical experience to help build the capacities of Nascent communities. In this instance, it combines mentoring, peer-to-peer training and joint implementation of micro-projects. The program also has a vocational apprenticeship component for youth to enhance their marketable skills, employment and income generating opportunities. Some of the successful graduates of the training who decide to start a small business will be provided with technical assistance as well as start-up help. Others will have enhanced their employment opportunities having acquired practical and market oriented vocational and business skills. Agricultural component of the program provides community farmers further support to improve their economic situation through the establishment of community managed agricultural service centers. This is achieved through further work with the Agricultural Extensionists previously trained by AIM to help them establish Agricultural Development Service Centers (ASC). The ASCs provide a range of development services including agricultural information and extension services to community members and farmers. Success story Communities: living, learning and passing it on The achievements of the neighboring Eyvazlilar Ijma Group (IG) astonished the population of Mashadi-Garalar, until they were eventually encouraged to learn from and follow their neighbor’s example. Community demands stimulated Municipality members and other village intellectuals to form and maintain a closer relationship with the Eyvazlilar IG and Municipality, and utilize their positive experience to benefit both communities. Based on a request from the Mashadi-Garalar community members, the Eyvazlilar Ijma Group & Municipality (IG&M) provided initial support to Mashadi-Garalar. Firstly, the Eyvazlilar Star IG&M helped Mashadi-Garalar to establish and train local Ijma Group. The successful completion of training sessions encouraged the Eyvazlilar SIG&M and the Mashadi-Garalar Nascent IG & Municipality to develop a proposal for an Integrated Road Rehabilitation Project, which would address the common road problems of both communities. The goal of this project however was not only to address an infrastructure need but to impart and share the knowledge and experience of the Eyvazlilar Star Ijma Group and Municipality Partnership with the newly created, neighboring Mashadi-Garalar Ijma Group and Municipality. The project helped to rehabilitate 7 km of roads that served both communities. Community members of both communities were actively involved in the road rehabilitation and a new partnership has formed between the two communities who now know they can work with each other for solutions to common problems. While celebrating the successful completion of this project, community members emphasized the advantages of integration and sharing of experience and resources. To get an update on the programme please refer to the “Latest News” Section.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 April 2007 )