Paper short abstract:

The successes and achievements of community mobilization and high impact projects in the fields of energy, irrigation and technical trainings: a case study of SRSP, Pakistan. Co-author: Masood Ul Mulk

Paper long abstract:

Poverty reduction initiatives in the form of Rural Support Programmes (RSPs) has reached over 43 million people (out of 140 million population) in Pakistan. Implemented by local NGOs, these RSPs espouse a common approach to rural development, that is social mobilization. By harnessing people’s potential through fostering and strengthening participatory, transparent and accountable organizations, local people work towards poverty alleviation and improving their quality of life.

This paper examines the Sarhad Rural Support Program (SRSP), established in 1989, and operating in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Among the 26 million people living in the KP, SRSP focuses on 11 million of the poorest. SRSP has so far reached 3.5 million poor and has been instrumental in community organization formation, local support organizations, training and capacity building, along with community infrastructure development and microfinance activities.

Evidence of the successes and achievements of SRSP, through the practitioner’s experience, shows that social mobilization projects have empowered local communities to take ownership of the issues, and develop capacity beyond the community level. Furthermore, the formation of networks between villages has created a very positive impact for local politics, biodiversity conservation, conflict resolution and social services. This has led to communities in many areas taking the lead in managing local resources and social services, such as schools, communal lands and irrigation facilities, as well as individuals representing their communities in local elections.

SRSP with popularity among communities and donors, has also implemented low cost, sustainable and community owned projects with government as well, which has resulted that Government to adopt RSPs approach in future.