4. Example Project Activities

4. EXAMPLE PROJECT ACTIVITIES

The exact activities undertaken by the CBOs in each district were all very similar. Table 2 lists and categorises an assortment of Programme activities. The table also shows -which fund was used to support the activity. More detailed information on some of the most frequently implemented activities is provided after the table.

Table 2. Example Programme Activities and Sources of Funding

Activity	Community fund	Sustainable Development Facility Fund
Activity	Community fund	Credit Capital Fund	Seed Grant Fund	Human Resources Dev't Fund
Environmental Conservation and Management
Multi-purpose forest Nursery establishment		X	X
Wetland management			X
Watershed management			X
Reforestation of Degraded areas			X
Installation of Biogas Plants		X
ICS Stove construction training				X
Non-timber forest products production		X
Social Development
Environmental Literacy Classes			X
Community-based Health clinic establishment			X
School Infrastructure			X
Scholarships for girls			X
Mobile health clinic			X
TBA training				X
Drinking water Supply			X
Economic Development
Retail shop establishment		X
Bicycle repair shop establishment		X
Tailor	X	X
Shoemaking	X	X
Fish farming	X	X
Peanut farming	X	X
Ginger farming	X	X
Livestock raising	X	X
Non-timber forest products production	X	X

4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

Improving the quality of the watersheds in the Programme areas was one of the primary objectives of the Programme. Deforestation of the watershed areas was one of the major threats to the integrity of the watersheds in the Programme areas. As a result, many Programme activities related to the 'Environmental Conservation and Management' entry point focused on reducing the communities dependence on forest products and reforestation of degraded areas. Specific activities are described in detail below.

Training of village specialists in installation of improved cooking stoves (ICS). Upon the request of CBO members, SCDP has used money from the HRDF to pay for the training of village ICS specialists. Once trained, ICS specialists can return to their villages and use their skills to install the ICS in other villagers' households. CBO members have to pay the ICS specialist a set fee for installation of the stove (this fee is determined by the CBO members). A percentage of the fee is contributed to the CBO CF, the remainder goes to the ICS specialist. If non-CBO members, and people from other villages want to install an ICS they have to pay more than CBO members do (often as much as twice the CBO member price).
Replanting of degraded land areas such as riverbanks and steep slopes. CBOs have used Seed Grant support to purchase seedlings and seeds which have been used to replant degraded areas.
Installation of biogas plants. Community members borrowed money from the SDF Credit Fund to pay for the installation of biogas plants. Installation of the plants has reduced pressure on local forests, and reduced the amount of time women spend collecting fuelwood from the forests.

4.2 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The social development component of the SCDP involved a diverse set of activities. Activities tended to focus on either (1) improving the skills of the community members and support organisations so that they increase their ability to analyse their own problems and develop solutions, or (2) enhancing the overall quality of life in the villages through improvements in health and education. Activities included:

Adult environmental literacy classes. Over 1200 women have participated in these classes. The classes use an environmental conservation theme to teach basic reading and writing.
Establishment of community-based Child Development Centers- for children aged 35. SCDP pays for training of the caretakers/teachers, and supplies the centers with basic Roods.
Installment/Improvement of Drinking Water System- Seed Grants were provided to CBOs that needed to install a drinking water system, or required assistance to improve an existing system.

4.3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic development activities focussed on developing the CBO members' ability to earn money from small scale enterprises. Many of the economic development activities were funded through loans from the CBOs themselves, using the CF money that they collected and saved each week. The SDF Credit Capital Fund provided loans for more costly endeavors. Activities such as road and bridge construction also contributed to economic development indirectly, by increasing accessibility to markets.

Small scale enterprise development: Funded by loans from the CBO CF. Examples include animal husbandry (goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits)
Larger enterprise development: Funded through loans from the SDF Credit Capital Fund. Examples include retail shop development, hotel management and development
Training activities: Training was often necessary to help CBO members develop new skills which would further their ability to participate in income generating activities. Examples include:
- Training CBO women in vegetable farming - produce/seeds can be sold at local markets

- Training CBO members to be Agro-vets, ICS specialists, pit-latrine construction specialists - other villagers can then pay for their services.

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