Page 136 - JSIF Magazine Approved-v2-web4

Select Methodologies to
Community Development

By Michelle Moses, Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator, JSIF

Introduction A community member building a skip enclosure in Wilton Gardens, Kingston. The community purchased the
The Jamaica Social Investment material contracted the labour and hired a foreman to guide the technical aspects, and oversee the work.
Fund (JSIF) has tailored its project
implementation methodologies and guidelines. To achieve this objective, JSIF provides extensive training in all the required
procedures to address the socio- technical, procurement and administrative procedures before the sponsor group is
economic realities of its beneficiaries given funds or undertakes any implementation tasks. By strengthening local grassroots
in alignment with the bottom up governance structures, JSIF facilitates the building of local capacity to sustain and
approaches being advocated in the extend development initiatives.
development arena. This article
documents four of JSIF’s most
widely used methods and illustrates
how the organization is using them
to engrain participatory development
in community development efforts.
Our experience has shown that the
application of these approaches
results in positive behaviour
change, which is among our primary
objectives as a social development
agency whose intention is to
facilitate community development
and empowerment through provision
of infrastructure, equipment and
relevant educational or capacity
building interventions.

1. Community-Based Contracting Over the years this approach has proven itself to be an effective way to introduce persons
JSIF is one of the first organizations to information and skills outside their purview, reinforcing the knowledge by requiring
in Jamaica to use Community that they immediately apply it in a practical way. CBC is a powerful tool for community
Based Contracting (CBC) as part of development because the benefits accrue at both the community and individual levels
its Community Driven Development while at the same time increasing social capital for all persons living in the area.
implementation methodology. This
community-driven implementation 2. Environmental Responsibility in Community Development
model enhances community JSIF undertakes numerous construction activities and has environmental protection
capacity, governance structures as one of its guiding principles to ensure that any works conducted will not have
and project ownership by allowing significant or irreversible negative environmental impacts. The Fund recognized that it
communities to take control of their was in a position to, not only improve the lives of the beneficiaries through the projects
Project, be the primary decision undertaken, but do it in a manner that was environmentally sustainable. The strategies
makers and fully responsible for all are extensive from guiding community groups in implementing projects to requiring
major implementation activities with contractors undertake construction and manage project sites according to specific
JSIF providing funding, oversight guidelines. This awareness of what affects the environment and how to prevent negative
and technical guidance to ensure effects or ensure positive outcomes is imparted not only to the professionals that JSIF
compliance with all standards and work with but also at the community level as the beneficiaries must also follow the same

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