EWB-USA’s Community-Driven Development Approach

Presentation Outline Questions for You Why We Use a Community-Driven Approach An EWB-USA Example EWB-USA’s Approach Community-Driven Principles of Development What Community-Driven Looks Like for EWB-USA Let’s Talk

Questions For You 1.What does community-driven development mean to you? 2.Why use this approach? What Do You Think?

Why We Use a Community-Driven Approach Signs of Success Collaborative Approach Established long-term relationship Sustainability Better Results

Good Intentions & Poor Outcomes A Difficult History Abandoned pumps in Africa Solar cookers in Nepal Latrines as storage rooms

Community-Driven Example of Success Nahuaterique, Honduras Water Supply Project EWB-USA Jacksonville Professional Chapter The community is self-mobilized to solve the issue The community submitted a 501 New Program Application The community identified the need to be addressed The community organized a local water board to manage the project for the community

Community-Driven Example of Success Nahuaterique, Honduras Water Supply Project EWB-USA Jacksonville Professional Chapter The community owns the project The community provided unskilled labor and put money toward capital costs The community worked closely with the local NGO to move the project forward Appropriate technologies A spring box, storage system and distribution system that the community could maintain

Community-Driven In Our Approach Core of EWB-USA’s Approach At the core of EWB-USA’s model is the principle that it is the communities we serve who must drive their development. As our clients, they are senior partners in the development process. The success of these community programs can only be achieved as a result of collaboration with communities and other partners in the design and implementation of sustainable engineering projects.

EWB-USA Principles of Development 1.ENGINEERING 2.COMMUNITY DRIVEN 3.COMMITMENT 4.QUALITY 5.SAFETY 6.EXPERTISE 7.APPROPRIATENESS 8.SUSTAINABILITY 9.PARTNERS 10.EDUCATION EWB-USA’s Principles of Development do/international-programs

Community-Driven In Our Principles of Development Community Driven All EWB-USA programs are community based. This principle reflects the bottom up approach to development that is used by EWB-USA. Each EWB-USA program is developed to be specific to the needs, resources and constraints of the community with which the chapter is partnering. EWB-USA programs do not start with a technology and then try to find a community where it can be implemented. Each program has a well-defined community that has requested assistance from EWB-USA.

What We’re Looking For In A Program What we are looking for in EWB-USA Programs: The Program’s mission is well defined and in-line with EWB-USA’s mission. The Program and each project within the Program can realistically be developed by a group of volunteers. Each project cost is reasonable for the chapter to fundraise. The Program will benefit the entire community and will not discriminate against members of the community. There is community involvement and participation in all phases of the program. The community is willing and able to contribute to each project within the program:, labor, materials, food, lodging, 5% cash contribution to capital costs,etc. There is an existing or potential in-country partner organization, such as an NGO or local gov’t, community organization, and/or local committee.

What A Community-Driven Program Looks Like Three-Way Partnership: EWB-USA Community Local Partnering Organization Programs & Projects Primary role of EWB-USA: Engineering Services All partners collaborate on: Selecting the design approach Implementation Funding

Lessons Learned Signs It’s Not Community-Driven The local NGO is speaking for the community Chapter wants vs. Community needs Inadequate community infrastructure (committees, boards, citizen groups, etc.) Community is non-committal about 5% cash contribution for capital costs Community is not willing to contribute unskilled labor

Let’s Talk Questions for you: 1.What are some of the most important elements of this approach? 2.Why use this approach?

Resources Available To You ResourcesLocation EWB-USA Principles of Development do/international-programs Information on EWB-USA Programs Overview do/resources New Program Webinar resources/sourcebook-downloads Community Cash Contribution Summary do/resources Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Overview do/international-programs Project Partners Roles and Responsibilities (511 document) resources/sourcebook-downloads

STAY IN TOUCH MAKE A DIFFERENCE Engineers Without Borders USA rd Street, Suite 210 Denver, CO youtube.com/ewbusa Photo: EWB-USA University of Colorado Boulder Chapter