Elements of People-Centered Development

Members of the Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty of the NGO Committee for Social
Development represent a constituency of millions, living and working in Least Developed
Countries (LDC) and other impoverished regions of the world. Some of our organizations have
been involved for centuries in long-term partnerships with local communities. We wish to share
some of what we have learned from living and working with many people who, although
economically poor, have much knowledge to share and many skills to offer to the development
process.

Our extensive experience and recent research, published in Best Practices in Poverty
Eradication: Case Studies from the Field, indicate that:

o Local stakeholders must be equal partners in development. Development works when

local communities are the subjects rather than objects of development activities and those
most often marginalized are vitally involved in the work of development.
o Women are key decision makers in local communities and must be involved in local
development projects from the earliest stages of project development.
o Development which targets social sectors (i.e. education, health, etc.) empowers people
and breaks the intergenerational cycle of poverty and dependency.

We have learned that the following are essential to successful efforts toward real human
development:

1. Active Participation: It is vital that all stakeholders participate in all aspects of the
development endeavor: needs assessment, agenda setting, decision-making, implementation,
monitoring, evaluation and follow-up. That includes funding agencies, NGOs, local and
national government agencies, local UN offices and most importantly, the local women and
men who will use or benefit from the development. Projects which are shaped by the people
who are poor will more likely address real needs and attain real success.

2. Careful Listening: Participatory development requires careful listening to all stakeholders,

especially to those most denied access to power and decision making. The capacity to
actually comprehend what people are saying requires that planners take the time needed to
verify their perceptions with the speakers. Where language is a barrier, adequate translators
must be available. When cultures differ, explanation must be provided by knowledgeable
mediators. With careful, culturally sensitive listening on the part of donors, planners, project
managers, UN field-office staff and local stakeholders more positive outcomes will occur.

3. Equal Access: Consultations, meetings and decisions must be made accessible to all.
Transparency and accountability require development planners, government agencies and
NGOs to do all in their power to ensure that all those who wish to participate in the
development process are able. That includes providing for those who may be unable to travel
long distances from their home; for those who are illiterate; for those who must provide for
their children; etc.

Subcommittee on Poverty Eradication of the NGO Committee for Social Development

May 2004
4. Constant Training: Sustained participation in development requires continual skill building
for all those involved in development activity, UN staff, NGO members, national and local
government agents, as well as local communities themselves. These skills include: decision-
making, conflict resolution, organizing, use of technology and of government services.

5. Powerful Partnerships: NGOs have long been integrated at the grass roots level, working
with the poor and the marginalized to develop local capacity. Sometimes these NGOs are
themselves the poor marginalized from power and resources, located at a geographic and
cultural distance. Formation of partnerships among local people, governments, business, and
proven NGOs would facilitate the growth of development in LDCs.

Indicators of successful social development include:

o Empowerment and increased independence of previously marginalized populations. E.g.

an NGO taught young girls how to read. Subsequently, some of these girls had the
courage to stand up at government meetings and speak for the good of others.

o Flexibility in planning and execution of development projects. In one project featured in

our publication, the original purpose was to care for urban street children. After listening
to the children themselves, the project was altered to provide job training and family
rehabilitation programs. Plans and projects must be open to change if they are to remain
sustainable.

o Improved partnerships involving local NGOs, national governments and international

agencies. One NGO working in a LDC had established a successful program for enabling
former prostitutes to be local trainers in the prevention of trafficking for prostitution. The
national government requested the NGO to train staff and teachers for a similar,
nationally owned program.

Our experience among the poor at the grassroots gives us hope in their power to change many of
the conditions which keep them in poverty. Aid which is pro-poor can go a long way to enable
them to create and shape projects which can be very productive. To do so, however, they need
the support of basic initial resources -- as the farmer needs seed money. We are confident that
with their labor and full participation the investment will be productive in both the short and
long-term for themselves and their children.

Subcommittee on Poverty Eradication of the NGO Committee for Social Development

May 2004
 Elements of Successful People-Centered Development

Participation
Agenda-setting Accessibility
Decision-making On Site Meetings
Implementation Transportation to Meetings
Monitoring Cultural Sensitivity
Evaluation

Training
Partnership Listening Skills
Local Poor People Decision-Making
NGOs Conflict Resolution
Government Use of Agencies & Services
Business Organizing
Use of Technology

Listening
Time
Verification
Translation
Cultural Literacy
Patience

Indicators of Success
Increased Participation
Improved Standard of Living
Greater Self Confidence
Strong, Viable Partnerships
Continuation, Revision, Expansion of Original Project
Sharing of Acquired Expertise with Others

Subcommittee on Poverty Eradication of the NGO Committee for Social Development

May 2004