Community-driven development (CDD) programs operate on the principles of transparency, participation, accountability, and enhanced local capacity.
Experience has shown that when given clear and transparent rules, access to information, and appropriate technical and financial support, poor communities can effectively organize to identify community priorities and address local problems by working in partnership with local governments and other institutions to build small-scale infrastructure and deliver basic services.
The World Bank recognizes that CDD approaches and actions are important elements of an effective poverty-reduction and sustainable development strategy.
In many countries, CDD operations are the only safety net available to reach remote and vulnerable groups in a timely and credible manner. They have a strong track record in moving funds quickly and flexibly in response to disasters and global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, as a complement to household cash transfers, community-level (block) grants that are based on community emergency plans can be distributed to rural villages and urban neighborhoods since community leaders often know best what the specific needs are in each community.
The Bank has supported governments in designing, implementing, and evaluating CDD programs across a range of low to middle-income countries, including countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence. The programs respond to a variety of urgent needs including access to clean water, rural roads, school and health clinic construction, nutrition programs for mothers and infants, and support for micro-enterprises. These programs have consistently shown an ability to deliver an increase in access to quality infrastructure and services in a cost-effective manner, in ways that have broad community support.
Last Updated: Oct 01, 2020 – Courtesy World Bank Website