Impact assessment of national solidarity programme in Kabul
Student name: Mr Khalid Rahman
Guide: Dr Smriti Das
Year of completion: 2015
Host Organisation: Sanayee Development Organization (SDO), Afghanistan
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Abdul Qahar
Abstract: This study attempts to analyze the impact of National solidarity programme (NSP) in Kabul province of Afghanistan. NSP is the large development programme in the history of Afghanistan presumed to be second largest in the world. NSP aim at strengthen the ability of Afghan poor rural people to identify their needs, plan, manage and monitor their own development projects and promote local governance through short term financing. This programme is considered as the most successful programme in Afghanistan. Based on the 21 sample villages and Community Development Council CDCs analysis the study tries to understand the impact of NSP in Kabul province. Three outcome of NSP programme i) increased capacity of CDCs to design and implement village level projects, ii) improved access to social/collective purpose facilities among communities, ii) CDCs are functioning as an effective local governance institution in their communities were analysed in dept along with the identified indicators. For the purpose of this study several key informant from community, CDCs, local authority, and government official were interviewed. Purposive sampling was used for the selection of community, CDCs, and government official to be interviewed. The finding of this study shows that Sanayee Development Organization SDO has successfully achieved aim of NSP up to higher extend. 90% interviewees confirmed that now CDC members can implement village level project. This study shows that all community people have increased their utility service in their community. While result of third outcome which CDCs are functioning as an effective local governance institution in their communities is mixed- researcher found that, along with CDCs who functions as governance body, a customary or traditional structure also enjoy high respect among the communities. There is common concern that traditional structure exist parallel to the CDCs. In all the villages covered by this research, Maliks and religious leader were also participating in decision making meetings. These two bodies complement each other in the community. The CDCs created by NSP still have to prove their utility to the communities in order to get respect and trust. This study proposes a holistic approach where all stakeholders involved in planning and implementation and consider more income generating activities. Consider more small enterprise development for the further projects, and create linkage to market. Similarly integrate ministry of agriculture, irrigation and livestock, for improved agricultural activities in community, since agriculture contribute 59% of employment in the country. And give appropriate duration of support for theoretical and practical learning out of project. Key words: Impact assessment, National Solidarity Programme, programme achievement, Kabul.
