Methodology

When intervening in a community, a research-based and highly participatory methodology is used, using logical steps. The approach requires a significant time investment in people and healthy development processes.

  • Who We Are
  • Strategy
  • Our Methodology
  • The Team
  • Partnerships

    • Social Compact

    • At the beginning, an Intermediary, in an open and transparent manner, assesses existing leadership formations and stakeholders within the defined geographic area.
    • A representative programme committee (Safe Node Area Committee – SNAC) is formed within the geographical area and receives structured leadership training.
    • The SNAC participate in the baseline survey (5-10% sample survey at household level).

    Planning

    • The leadership’s vision for development of the area, the outcome of the baseline survey, the assets within the Safe Node Area and the municipality’s development vision as per the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) are overlaid and negotiated in the Community Action Plan (CAP).
    • Part of the CAP is the prioritising and phasing of various developments. Within the funding set up of the programme and within wider socio-political contexts, the integrated budgeting and prioritisation of individual interventions is defined and negotiated within local communities.
    • Participatory design methodologies are applied to develop appropriate solutions for the relevant context. Potential user groups of a facility give advice to the professional team on design elements of the facility.

    Implementation

    Individual interventions are implemented via:
    • Line Departments - local municipality and provincial government
    • The intermediary
    • Community Groups
    • NGOs and Private Sector

    Operations and Maintenance Management

    The programme takes a large part of its benchmarking of successful implementation from the level of sustainability, especially in the area of O&M of facilities at area based level. This understanding of sustainability includes capital infrastructure (the spaces and facilities), the skills level within the community, social cohesion via social support, improved safety levels, economic improvements and financial sustainability.

    Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

    Throughout the development process there is ongoing monitoring on various levels and an annual review of the Community Action Plan