Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
جمهورى اسلامى افغانستان
Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
وزارت احياء و انکشاف دهات
National Solidarity Programme
برنامۀ همبستگى ملى
CDC Background
Community Development Councils (CDCs) have been launched as part of the National Solidarity Programme (NSP), which was established in mid-2003 as a government Programme executed by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development. Through the Facilitating Partners (FPs), the NSP mobilizes communities and supports the establishment of a framework for village-level, consultative decision-making and representative local leadership.
The NSP, a national priority Programme of the Government of Afghanistan, was established with initial support of the World Bank/International Development Association (WB/IDA). It has relied on funding from a variety of sources including financing from WB/IDA and JSDF, financing from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), which provides funding to NSP from various donors (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, EC/EU, Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States of America), and bi-lateral funding, which has come from Denmark, France, Italy, Czech Republic and New Zealand directly to NSP. This support helps NSP in its over-arching objectives: to empower Afghans to reduce poverty by establishing and strengthening a national network of self-governing bodies called CDCs.
The CDCs are a proven means for donors and FPs to contribute and provide sustainable resources and mentorship to Afghan communities. With the assistance of 29 FPs including one UN agency (UN-Habitat), CDCs are operating or being established in 353 districts and provincial centres, throughout all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
CDCs are elected through secret ballot building the foundation for solid local governance, consultation, and the legitimacy of local leadership. These councils then lead a community participatory process to develop a Community Development Plan (CDP) and decide what local issues or problems should be prioritized and addressed. A project proposal, such as the construction of a bridge, school, community centre, road or village well, is then developed in consultation with the local FP.
The project proposal is reviewed by the NSP and, if approved, grant funding to a maximum of USD 60,000 is allocated directly to the CDC. The communities are expected to contribute a minimum of 10% in funds or equivalent labor or material for the project.
Through this process and with the technical assistance of FPs, and the funding support of international donors, CDCs are enabling the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their communities. Based on shared vision and values, and inclusively democratically-decided priorities, CDCs are contributing to the creation of a stable and sustainable nation. Through the CDC, the international community has an opportunity to directly impact development in Afghanistan and help to ensure the economic and social development of Afghan villages and the democratic empowerment and security of its people.
For more information, please contact:
Ahmad Jamshed Ahmadi
Head, Public Communication Department (PCD)
National Solidarity Programme
Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD)
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
a.ahmadjamshed@nspafghanistan.org
www.nspafghanistan.org
Mobile:+93(0) 799 572 144
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