1. By: Sudharma Elakanda

2. Why & How VSHLI Began in early 2000 Records indicated during last 50 yrs. Huge amount funds were allocated for RD. But, No significant development seen in Rural Villages. Very little has gone to the community Wanted to rethink & text an a new sustainable model

3. Proposed Development project Commission Inefficiency Wastage Development Donation Funds Corruption Reality Was……

4. Bimpokuna Bandanagala Maguldamana Mahaulpatha Bogaswawa Ulapathgama Deiyannewela Wiharagama Kaudulugama 1st Batch - 3 Villages 2nd Batch - 6 Villages 3rd Batch - 6 Villages 4th Batch - 8 Villages (Started Awareness) 5 th Batch – 7 Villages (Started Awareness) Location of the Project & Villages

5. To Develop an Innovative Model of Participatory Development that addresses Poverty Reduction in Rural Sri Lanka Broad Objective of the VSHLI Pilot was-

6. 1. Appropriate Institutional Mechanism that operationalizes participatory planning at Village Level 3.Increase Access of the Community to Resources & Services thus leading to Sustainable Development 2. Empower Communities to take their own Decisions Effectively This Model would Test following steps

7. Project Components Funding Village Priority Investments Capacity Building Income Generating Activities.

8. Hypothesis If people are empowered, they have better access to resources and services which enables them to identify options for productive/ potential opportunities in the village and thus move out of the poverty trap.

9. Key Strategies & Objectives of VSHLI Holistic Development Focus on Poor. Broad Participation. Direct Financing. Community Contribution. Provide Information/Capacity Building Transparent & Open Process.

10. VSHLI: Unique Strategies  VSHLI is founded on learning from a real life village interaction; it adopts approaches and strategies based on lessons learned so far:  VSHLI supports Holistic and Integrated development Approach at community level: Supports development around a Village Development Plan. Communities are given a budget envelop within which they manage and implement several subprojects simultaneously.  Participation and Inclusion: participation right from inception to the final stages; participation and contribution by all Cont./

11. VSHLI: Unique Strategies  Partnership: Community linkages with Government, NGOs, Private Sector & Service Providers.  Empowering Communities through Information, Resources, Training and Exposure  Funds given directly to communities to manage (choose priorities, hire labour, contractors, manage funds, etc.) their own activities by themselves.  Transparency and Accountability

12. Institutional Arrangement Small Groups Clusters VSCO Maha Shaba. Village Company/Association/SPCs Social Audit Committee Federation CPLTC

13. Fund-Flow Community Contribution Government/ Project Funds Village Organization Finance Committee Procurement Committee Audit Committee Capacity Building Training/Workshops Goods/Equipment Administration Financial Agreement Membership Fees/Shares MO U IGA Sub Committee/VSCO SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 MO U1 Cash Contribution MOU 2

14. Governance Mechanism- Golden Rules Community taking the lead with:  Honesty, integrity and mutual respect  Equality  Justice for everyone  Minimum waste  No corruption  Adherence to plans  Seeking support when needed Now community have 10 Golden Rules which displayed by Gemidiriya in the Brochures

15. Challenges Faced- CDD Projects 1.Transforming the role of Public Sector: a.from a “doer” to a “facilitator” b.from a “process driven” to an “outcome driven” activity 2.Weaning away the dependent mentality inherent in most rural communities. 3.Building partnerships with Private Sector individuals and institutions: suspicion & distrust 4.Direct financing of communities: Rigid Govt. Financial Procedures 5. Building a Large Resource Team to undertake scaled – up Project

16. Thank you for your Attention