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National Area Based Development Program (NABDP)

The establishment of District Development Assembly (DDA) is a comprehensive Rural Development initiative of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD). It is an attempt to establish a mechanism for collective actions by raising the level of facilitation and mobilization beyond of communities to bring the people into the forefront of development planning and implementation from the community to the district and to provincial levels.

Goal:

The goal of the National Area Based Development Program is to empower community institutions to articulate and address needs and priorities in relation to poverty reduction and livelihoods enhancement through participation in integrated rural development planning and implementation processes.

As a Facilitating Partner, BRAC Afghanistan is responsible to implement the National Area Based Development Program in all 22 districts of Nangarhar Province for establishment of DDA and Formulation of DDP each District.

•  MRRD Community Empowerment Process

The goal of the MRRD Community Empowerment Process is to empower community institutions to articulate and address needs and priorities in relation to poverty reduction and livelihoods enhancement through participation in integrated rural development planning and implementation processes.

The intended outputs are: (1) DDA established and trained in every district covering NSP and non-NSP areas; (2) District Development Plans (DDP) are prepared at every district to inform decision makers, donors, and other development actors; (3) a mechanism for mobilization, consultation and learning is established across districts; and (4) a select team of MRRD personnel are trained and capable of providing technical and institutional support to DDA and Provincial Forum of District Assemblies (PFDA).

Procedures for the establishment of the DDA:

•  NSP

In Districts where the National Solidarity Programme is being operated, the procedure for selecting DDA members from Community Development Councils (CDC) BRAC is asking for a large forum by inviting the CDC chairpersons and vice chairpersons to determine their clusters based upon the common criteria agreed by the communities, which can be for instance access to common property resource, social/tribal affiliation, historical ties, and geographical distance etc. Ideally, the number of clusters in each district not exceeds 15. In the subsequent stage of the forum, they select two representatives per cluster who henceforth compose the DDA members. The total number of DDA members is not exceeding 30.

When clusters are formed, the CDC Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons are confirmed the cluster boundaries and their respective representatives, either through that forum or if necessary through consultation with concerned communities.

Villages that have settled after the initial clustering exercise and have not been organized into CDCs also participate in the establishment of DDA and DDP through their traditional leaders. Each village is required to identify their chief and vice-chief are either incorporated into an existing cluster or subject to the creation of an additional cluster, based upon general consensus of CDC Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons and approval of relevant authorities.

Each CDC introduces 2 representatives, one chairperson and one vice chairperson. The cluster is formed based on the geographical and demographical aspects. Each cluster then select two representatives and subsequently, the DDA are established with 15-30 members.

The representatives of the villages (chiefs and vice-chiefs) are notified that their status as village representatives are temporary until NSP has established their CDCs and are not be entitled to vote and be voted upon to the DDA. Through CDC establishment, they are thus confirmed or replaced depending on the outcome of the election.

In addition, other recognized/important groups (farmers' groups, teachers' associations, Female headed households, Kuchis, tribal leaders, associations of elders etc.) are also represented in the DDA. According to the NSP Operation manual, all sectors and groups are represented in the CDC. However, efforts are made to ensure that representatives of vulnerable sectors and groups participate in the Community Empowerment Process.

•  Non NSP

Non-Elected District Shura

In many districts there are established, Non-elected traditional district Shuras, consisting of representatives from the different Hawzas. These Shuras are not elected, often include members who have been passed the position on a hereditary basis, as their family has been represented on this Shura for years or have been appointed by the local Authorities. These Shuras include many of the local power holders, incorporating landowners, commanders, religious leaders and maleks. The shura mainly deals with dispute resolution and arbitration, but it is an established and influential mechanism with recognised links to the provincial authorities.

Interim District Development Assembly through Traditional Non-Elected District Shuras .

In Districts where the National Solidarity Programme is not in operation or has not organized CDCs, the procedure described below lead to the establishment of the Interim District Development Assembly through Traditional Non-Elected District Shuras .

For each District, the District Governor identifies the members of Traditional Non-Elected District Shura who can speak on behalf of all villages and confirm that no village has been omitted. This group is then called Interim District Development Assembly through Non-Elected District Shura, who facilitates to develop a DDP until the CDCs are organized.

All members of the Interim District Development Assembly through Non-Elected District Shura is informed that their status is temporary until NSP has established CDCs in the district. Through CDC establishment, and through the process described above for NSP districts, they may eventually become members of the DDA, depending on the outcome of the elections.

The district governor identifies two persons from each village. The cluster is then formed based on the geographical and demographical aspects. The number of clusters is from 10- 15 members. Each cluster then selects two representatives and subsequently, the DDA is established with 20-30 members.

Gender Inclusion: Appropriate approaches and methodologies must ensure meaningful, rather than symbolic, inclusion of and participation by women. There is only a limited number of female CDC chairs, or female CDC members with the mobility to go to the district centres and participate in DDA activities.

Ideally, mixed DDAs with equal representation of male and female members will be targeted. However, prevailing cultural constraints in Afghanistan require the development of various approaches specific to certain locations to enable women to gradually increase their levels of participation in the Community Empowerment Process.

It is envisaged that various degrees of participation and inclusively of women achieved, from mere consultation to becoming a member of DDA and being enabled to influence the planning process, make decisions on allocation of resources, and become strong advocates for the cause of women.

Particulars

Data

Province Covered

1

District Covered

22

No. of District Development Assembly (DDA) established
22
No. of District Development Planning (DDP) formulated
22
Duration
1 Year (May 07 - April 08)
Budget
US $ 0.56 Million
Donor
MRRD/UNDP

District Development Assemblies and District Development Plans:

In every district, District Development Assemblies (DDAs) are established. The DDAs are trained and coached on procedures, participatory planning, project management, budgeting and other basic skills, as well as on analyzing the main development challenges and opportunities in their district and identifying/prioritizing initiatives that would reduce poverty, improve livelihoods and promote economic regeneration. Special attention is given to marginalize vulnerable groups including demobilized soldiers and disbanded illegal armed groups, Female headed households, Kuchis etc.

The DDAs are also equipped to lead development process in their own districts including planning and management of development initiatives. They are officially registered with the Government and thus acquire legal status.

Subsequently, DDPs for the entire province are elaborated and consolidated by the PFDA into Provincial Development Plans. Then, a consultation process place and technical inputs provided to design and cost the proposed project ideas and other envisaged interventions. This contributes to the formulation of a Provincial Investment Plan (PIP). Subsequently, Provincial Development Councils (PDC) selects and prioritizes investments in their respective province according to the ANDS benchmarks.

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Office setup : Already we have a Provincial office in Nangarhar Province and District office at Beshood, Surkh Rod, Batikot, Dehbala, Achin, Chaparhar, Rodat under NSP and Kuz kunar ( Khewa ), Kama, Muhmand Dara, and Gony khel under Micro finance Program from where our District trainers, temporary staffs and Provincial Coordinator are implementing the activities .

2. Staff recruitment & deployment : We have hired the best 7 trainers including Master trainer from NSP who have experience in conducting training and preparation of necessary training module. They were waiting from April, 07 for the program. Already they are deployed to their respective areas. Also we have recruited office Administrator/ Accountant and Monitoring and reporting officer.

Temporary sectoral facilitator and clerk/assistant recruits and provides orientation training : District wise we are recruiting sectoral facilitators from line departments DSA and other experienced persons, clerk/assistant for each district according to size and number of communities. Already we have recruited and provided one day orientation on DDA and DDP process for 10 persons on 25 th June, 07. They are gaining practical experience during their involvement with the DDA establishment and DDP formulation.

3. Staff orientation on NABDP : Staff orientation has been completed. A 3 days orientation workshop has been arranged by MRRD at Kabul on 29-31 st May, 2007 . Eight trainers including one Female, Master trainer, Provincial Coordinator from Nangarhar Province , MIS officer and Program Manager from Main office, Kabul attended in this orientation workshop. Yet that, all trainers of NABDP attended of two days workshop at RRD office on 4 th and 5 th June, 07 which was conducted by Regional Coordinator NABDP and one of trainer from RRD Office.

4. Contact with Program stakeholders : We have started contact with Program stake holders from the very beginning of the Program. Such as Provincial Governor, Key persons of all government line Department of Province, Parliament members, Provincial Council members, Mayor of the Municipal Corporation. All District Governors, Commanders, Intelligence department, Religious leaders, Elder of Sura, UN Agencies, National and International NGOs, Media center, Journalist and Women related institutions.

5. Refreshers on NABDP for staff : BRAC Nangarhar arranged 2 two days refreshers course for NABDP trainers on 23-24 June, 07 that were conducted by our Bangladeshi Master trainers. Here done demonstration on whole process of DDA & DDP by the trainers. Role playing was on of the most important part of the refreshers.

6. Arrange Provincial Workshop : NABDP provincial workshop which was held and completed successfully as it what was planed and decided to be held on 19 th June 2007.The workshop exactly held on this date in tribal community centre, Jalalabad. This workshop was jointly arranged by RRD and BRAC Afghanistan Nangarhar. Through this inauguration ceremony actually the NABDP has been launched. The participants of the workshop were different stake holders like representatives from provincial governor office, Parliament members, Provincial council members, different sectoral directors, 18 District governors of Nangarhar province, representatives of national and international NGOs and similarly male and female staff of different sectors of BRAC Nangarhar and Kabul . 331 participants attended the workshop. The schedules for agendas and handout were pre distributed to the responsible participants. Before starting the workshop we first completed the registrations process of the participants and then at 9:00 AM the session was launched with the recitation of from the holy Quran. According to the schedule the assigned participants delivered their speech on behalf of the smooth implementation and awareness of the program such as mentioned below. The Welcome speech delivered by the RRD Director of Nangarhar province Mr. Engineer Ahmad Wali Hakimi. The objective of the workshop was explained by the Regional coordinator of NABDP Mr. Abdul Hadi Asim. The country head of BRAC Afghanistan Mr.Gunendu Kumar Roy pointed mainly to two points: Firstly he explained about the establishment, tremendous progression and development of BRAC and initial development activities of the BRAC in Nangarhar. Also he added BRAC has strong human resource, communication and good cooperation with all governmental departments and development agencies in Nangarhar Province . Similarly he also seeked the help and assistance of all Governmental institutions, NABDP regional office and other national and international NGOs. Economic Director of Nangarhar Mr. Said Qiyas, Member of Nangarhar Provincial council Mr.Fazal Rahim, The Director of Women Affair Mrs.Shila Babri, Deputy Director of Nangarhar education Mr. Abu Zahid. Head of the UNAMA of Nangarhar province, one of the district governors of Nangarhar Province (Naziyan district) Mr. Moulovi Mohammad Khan and one of the CDC chairpersons of Surkhrod district Mr. Said Ahmad Agha expressed their interests on behalf of the smooth implementation and succeeds of the Program. The program was ended at 12:00 PM by Duwa for success of this program and it was kindly requested to all participants to have lunch, so all 331 participants took lunch and the program closed at 2:00 PM with safe and sound.

7. Secondary Data collection and profiling : Secondary Data collection and its analysis is a continuous process and it is on going. Our district trainers are collecting the necessary data from related sources according to nature of information on prescribed format which has supplied by MRRD. During data collection we have to face some problems especially sensitive security and human rights issues etc.

8. Community Mobilization : Community Mobilization is a continuous process. Before going to establishment of DDA and formulation of DDP we are mobilizing the respective Communities through our Staff, CDC chair and Vice Chair persons, Community and religious leaders for motivating the general people. Because the general people respect them and they can play an important role in the Community. If these leaders are convinced, it would be much easier for a better access to community regarding women and men participation.

Female Participation: Women participation is a challenge in Afghan context. In National solidarity program, women have an appreciable involvement in their own community development activities. This is an experience and it has been used in NABDP. In the process of DDA formation and DDP establishment, we observed a spontaneous participation. But it is difficult to ensure the female from far places.

Women involvement in DDA and DDP process:

After sharing with stakeholders and with the concern of respective District Governor, the staff members of NABDP oriented the community leaders, Imam and also the general members about the importance of female participation besides male providing the separate room/venue for conducting the whole process. It was decided that every community if possible one female should be attended the session. Actually, those who are near to the venue, they were attended mostly. We have already formed some women sub committees such as Behsood, Batikote, Mohmandara, Lalpur, Darai Noor, Kama, Gosta, Durbaba, Chaparhar, Deh Bala, Rodat and Kott which are accordingly composed of 18, 20, 20, 07, 20,16, 10, 20, 20, 20, 15, 10 members respectively. Whole the process was during 4/5 days.

Outreach to women: Women participation in NABDP program formation of DDA varies according to NSP and non NSP area. BRAC, UN Habitat, GAA and NPO/RRA are implementing NSP at grass - root level with communities closely establishing male & female CDCs and covered 13 districts out of 22 partially and fully. For that reason we are not facing more problems regarding the female participation in NSP areas, because male and female subcommittees are already been active under NSP program. But a limited number of female CDC chair and vice chair are interested to go to the district head quarter to participate in DDA activities, especially those who are far from the district head quarter.

Material for conduction of women session: Two female facilitators conducted the each female session using different methods and tools. They used the district map, resource map, flip chart etc. All the participants have received the related materials such as hand out on briefing NABDP in pustoo version, Flow chart of total program etc.

Methods - Lecture, Discussion, small group discussion, Exercise, VIPP, Display etc

Women related activities/projects in the process:

District development plan includes the different activities providing the income generating projects like carpet weaving, tailoring, animal husbandry (Poultry & live-stock) etc. These projects have also been appreciated by the male DDA.

Communication with Women Affairs:

In provincial workshop on DDA and DDP process, the Women Affairs was invited and attended to enrich the program. After that it is a regular process to communicate with the Women Affairs. After that it is also under plan to ensure the participation in Provincial planning process.

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