“This is the first time Haitian farmers decide how the money should be invested for rural development, the first time they can manage effectively the money granted to them, the first time that projects are carried out so quickly and so effectively, the first time that the Haitian peasant can feel proud to fully participate in his own development…”
 
 

PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 14, 2008 - These were some of the words collected from ordinary citizens in several departments in Haiti in June 2008, during the mid-term review of the implementation of the Community-Driven Development Project (CDD), a program that empowers rural communities to propose, select and implement small development projects.

Since January 2004, the CDD, also known in Haiti as PRODEP, is benefiting rural and urban populations living in the poorest municipalities in the country. PRODEP is a US$38.6 million five-year project supported by the World Bank to strengthen community-based organizations by enabling beneficiaries to plan projects and allocate and manage public resources.

The project covers the 59 poorest municipalities in Haiti. A total of 32 departmental municipalities in the South, Sud'Est, Nippes, Plateau Central and Nord-East have already received funding to achieve four sub-projects of US$17,500 each. The projects developed focused on small production, services, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship. Another 27 municipalities in Nippes, the Grand'Anse, Ouest, the Artibonite, Nord-Ouest and Nord also will benefit by the end of the project in 2010.
 
PRODEP is expected to fund a total of 1,200 sub-projects, all of which are proposed, selected and managed by the communities themselves. Non-governmental organizations such as the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) have been recruited through a public process to assist with the implementation on the ground.

Community Involvement Ensures Sustainable Development

PRODEP assumes that only community involvement in improving living conditions can ensure sustainable development. The participation of community-based organizations is guaranteed at all stages of PRODEP by creating a Council of Project (COPRODEP) in each beneficiary municipality. COPRODEP is an assembly formed by representatives of community-based organizations (80 percent) and elected local leaders and notables (20 percent). This council makes all decisions concerning the implementation of sub-projects, elects an executive committee to manage the funds allocated to the sub-projects, and conducts supervision on the ground.

Much More than a Grant...

The effective involvement of beneficiaries promotes a project’s community ownership. The community’s effective contribution towards the project is worth far more than the US$17,500 originally allocated. In many instances communities also contribute labor (one day or more of unpaid work per week) or property (land, houses, or furniture).

All PRODEP actions aim at building capacity and community structures that can ensure an effective participation in local development activities. To this end, members of 767 organizations and COPRODEP have been trained in project management, small and medium-sized enterprises, communication skills and leadership meetings, and participatory methods.

Real Results in Record Time

In May 2008, 227 sub-projects were completed, 217 were under implementation and 140 were about to be begin in 32 communes. These projects, completed in record time (between 3 and 6 months on average), can respond to the target population’s urgent needs. Priorities include:  

• Infrastructure projects (development of roads, collection source and drinking water, construction of irrigation canals),
• Productive projects (community stores, shops for agricultural inputs, grain mills accompanied by generating electricity), and
• Projects of a social nature (cultural center, cyber center, school construction).

Haitian Diaspora: The Beginning of a Partnership

An agreement was signed between Lower Central Plateau authorities, COPRODEP of Mirebalais, and the Foundation for Technological and Economic Advancement of Mirebalais (FATEM, an organization of Mirebalais individuals living abroad). This agreement aims at achieving the following: 

• Integrate FATEM to COPRODEP as an observer,
• Allocate funds raised by FATEM to co-finance sub-projects prioritized by the COPRODEP, and  
• Support a road identification sub-project in Mirebalais.

This example illustrates the collaborative possibilities between PRODEP and the Haitian community living abroad and willing to contribute to the development of the country. In addition, PRODEP has started a dialogue with FONKOZE, a U.S.-based organization that supports primarily economic projects, as well as with other organizations based in Boston, Massachusetts. PRODEP plans to strengthen such partnerships and cooperation in the near future.

An Ideal Mechanism to Channel Funds

“At first I was not totally convinced by PRODEP, but going on the ground, listening to testimonies of people and visiting the project's achievements, I was impressed,” said Jean Max Bellerive, Minister of Planning and External Cooperation in June 2008. “The Government recognizes the importance of this project and is ready to support it. I strongly encourage all those who want to contribute to the development of their country, mainly the Haitian Diaspora willing to help their regions of origin, to use the PRODEP, and structured and transparent method which has proven its effectiveness,” he added.

For more information on PRODEP, please contact the Program Development Assistance (BMPAD), Office of Monetization, website: www.bureaudegestion.gouv.ht, tel: (509) 2510-7301, (509) 2221-8845 or the PRODEP team at the World Bank in Washington, DC, website: www.worldbank.org/ht, tel. (202) 473-5676.