Synergistic Benefits of a Holistic Community Development Project Concept Approach
Abstract
Community Development projects in developing countries often adopt a single-oriented, short life-cycle (1-2 years) approach which does not allow to unlock the project’s entire potential compared to a holistic, long-term approach. Further, with sustainability in view it is crucial to address all the different needs the beneficiary community identifies. This paper analyzes possible synergistic benefits when targeted investments through different, simultaneously implemented projects, addressing a wider range of end user identified needs on the long-term basis are implemented in close partnership with the end user community, compared to a single-oriented community development approach. Developing a mathematical model which enables to predict the long-term synergistic benefits of a long-term, holistic community development (HCD) approach is part of the outcome of this study. The study is based on the work done by RIDS-Nepal in the districts of Jumla and Humla, northwestern Nepal.