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WP30

Community-driven development: does it build social cohesion or infrastructure? A mixed-method evidence synthesis

3ie Working Paper 30

Howard White, Radhika Menon and Hugh Waddington

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In community-driven development (CDD) programmes, community members are in charge of identifying, implementing and maintaining externally funded development projects. CDD programmes have been implemented in low- and middle-income countries to fund the building or rehabilitation of schools, water supply and sanitation systems, health facilities, roads, and other kinds of public infrastructure. They have also been used to finance private cash transfers to individual households.

3ie carried out a synthesis study to assess how CDD programmes have evolved over the years and what their impact has been. The authors synthesised evidence from 25 impact evaluations, covering 23 programmes in 21 low- and middle-income countries. They also drew on process evaluations and qualitative research to examine the factors influencing success and failure.

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Main findings

The impact of CDD programmes

CDD programmes improve facilities for education, health and water. Investments in water-related infrastructure have reduced the time required for collecting water. These programmes slightly improve health- and water-related outcomes, but not education outcomes.

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The impact of CDD programmes

Community participation in CDD programmes

The entire community does not participate in all aspects of project management and implementation. There is a clear funnel of attrition. Many people may be aware of the programme and the community meeting, but few attend the meeting and fewer still speak or participate in decision-making. Women are only half as likely as men to be aware of CDD programmes, even less likely to attend the community meetings and even less likely still to speak at them. Evidence suggests people may have participated in making bricks, not decisions.

Community participation in CDD programmes

CDD programmes may be using existing social cohesion rather than building it. Numerous factors may affect community involvement, such as the role played by the elite or prime movers in the community, intra-community divisions and the perceived benefits of participation.

Participation of marginalised people

Although CDD programmes have included measures to improve the participation of marginalised people, there is no evidence regarding the impact of such measures. There is also no information about how programme implementers facilitated the participation of different ethnic and religious groups living in a community.

Gendered cultural norms and socioeconomic factors can negatively influence women’s participation in the public sphere. Where female participation is a target, not a requirement, women’s participation usually falls short.

Not many studies have carried out sex-disaggregated analysis of participation. Fewer still have assessed whether CDD programmes have empowered women to take a more active role in the public sphere, beyond the scope of the programme.

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Understanding NRLM’s Impact on Livelihoods and Social Outcomes: A Unifying Framework

Understanding NRLM’s Impact on Livelihoods and Social Outcomes: A Unifying Framework

Working paper 3ie 2023
 
This paper presents a unifying framework for understanding the impact of India’s National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) on livelihoods and social outcomes. It derives key insight from the literature on economic growth. This paper is part of our ongoing Rural India Livelihoods Program supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The effects of democracy and freedom interventions in democratic backsliding contexts: A rapid evidence assessment

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Working paper 3ie 2023
 
The authors of this report present findings of a rapid evidence assessment on the effects of democracy and freedom interventions in democratic backsliding contexts. This report was commissioned by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Findings from a qualitative analysis of ADN Dignidad Program in Colombia

Findings from a qualitative analysis of ADN Dignidad Program in Colombia

Working paper 3ie 2023
 
This paper examines the qualitative analysis of the effectiveness of Multipurpose Cash Transfers in improving the lives of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia.

Learning from collective-led sanitation enterprises in urban Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana

Learning from collective-led sanitation enterprises in urban Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana

Working paper 3ie 2022
 
This paper summarizes the findings of a learning study on the processes and lessons from recent efforts of the Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana governments to improve sanitation services and provide employment opportunities to urban collectives through fecal sludge management, and operation and maintenance of community and public toilets.

Use of performance-based contracts for road maintenance projects: a rapid evidence assessment

Use of performance-based contracts for road maintenance projects: a rapid evidence assessment

Working paper 3ie 2022
 
Authors of this rapid evidence assessment synthesize available rigorous impact evaluations of performance-based contracting in road construction in low income and low-and-middle-income countries. 

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  • DOI : 10.23846/WP0030

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