CLP’s newest brief examines our experience developing community-based organisations, namely ‘Village Development Committees’ (VDCs), who’s purpose was to spearhead social development within their respective communities. From 2010-2016, CLP implemented various interventions to assist poor char-dwellers, some of which aimed to bring about deep-rooted social change and relied on the participation and commitment from the wider community.

To aid in this effort, VDCs were formed to lead and mobilise community support for various social development efforts within their localities e.g. eliminating open defecation, advocating against harmful practices such as child marriage, dowry, and violence against women, and encouraging sanitation and hygiene activities. In addition to being an anchor for the overall social development of the community, VDCs were formally introduced into the second phase of CLP in 2010 to be an authority and form of governance within char communities.

Although the concept of a VDC was developed early on, its model evolved over time in response to various recommendations made to enhance their functionality, self-governance and chances of sustaining once CLP removed support.

With a vision of enhancing the ability of VDCs to sustain in the long-term, CLP developed a set of tailored interventions and targeted 165 VDCs to receive this additional support over 13 months. The additional support positively impacted the targeted VDCs and spurred them into taking initiative beyond the scope of CLP activities.

A number of lessons have been learnt during CLP’s experience in creating effective and sustainable VDCs in the char areas, including the importance of involving the wider community in VDCs, helping VDCs develop a long-term vision for themselves, and enhancing their abilities to create and maintain linkages with local governments.

To find out more about the evolution of the VDC model, the impact of our tailored VDC interventions and lessons learnt, read our latest brief here.