Grameen Development Services (GDS) has long recognized the significance of promoting community-based organizations and institutional systems as an integral part of its development approach. Since its inception in the 1993, GDS has recognized the importance of working directly with community organizations. Through hands-on fieldwork, experimentation, and a willingness to learn from trial and error, GDS has gained valuable insights into the significance and methodology of community institutions development.
The true value of working with CIs extends beyond convenience and efficiency in implementing projects. These institutions play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of interventions in several ways. They strengthen the agency of the community members, fostering decision-making abilities, shared responsibilities, and leadership and management capacities. Moreover, CIs cultivate a sense of community ownership, reducing dependency on external actors through facilitation of meaningful linkages with relevant stakeholders. These CIs provides a platform for collective actions, layering of various interventions and enables the aggregations. Subsequently, they contribute to the sustainability of impact and ease the process of disengagement and withdrawal.
Community Organisations and Institutions promoted by GDS
Self Help Groups
Federation of SHGs
Women centric business groups
Village disaster management committee
Village water management committee
Water User Groups
Goat Rearing Groups
Farmer groups
Poultry groups
Krishi clubs
Farmers’ producer organisations
Paravets’ collectives
To better understand the role and impact of CIs, it is essential to categorize them based on their objectives and level of involvement. The first category encompasses institutions with comprehensive and complex objectives related to social and economic empowerment, as well as rights-based action. These institutions require intensive engagement and long-term commitment from both members and promoting organizations. Examples include SHGs, Federations, FPOs, and Business Groups. The second category includes CIs with narrower objectives, such as awareness building or technical capacity development, demanding less time-bound involvement. This group comprises Farmer Field Schools (FFS) groups, GRGs, VDMCs/TFs, and VWMCs, which may be active during specific periods.
While community organizations and institutions have been a defining feature of GDS’s programs and interventions from 2000 to 2012, there has been a noticeable decline in their importance over the past decade. Several factors have contributed to this shift. Firstly, changes in the national development scenario, such as a decrease in donors supporting long-term, resource-intensive initiatives and a shift from promoting autonomy to micromanagement, have impacted the prioritization of CIs. Furthermore, the emergence of large state-sponsored initiatives like the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)/State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), which place significant emphasis on CIs, has influenced the agendas of external donors. Secondly, there is shift in GDS’s approach and strategies. GDS’s transition from women’s empowerment, rights-based action, and microfinance-focused livelihood initiatives to more technical and managerial service delivery-type interventions in hardcore livelihoods.
In response to these evolving circumstances, GDS acknowledges the need to adapt new strategies focusing on selectivity, collaboration, and re-emphasizing the importance of CIs in our approach.
Selective CI Promotion
Acknowledging the challenges of resource constraints, we have adopted a selective approach to CI promotion. We will prioritize promoting institutions that align with our key development work specially in agri-business and value chain initiatives under livelihood strengthening theme. By strategically allocating resources, we aim to maximize our impact and ensure the sustainability of these targeted interventions. This selective approach means, GDS will put its maximum efforts to create self-sustainable business oriented community institutions that ideally carry forward the work of GDS in sustained manner.
Collaborating with Existing CBOs/CIs
We recognize the value that existing Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and CIs bring to our development efforts. As an entry point for new interventions, we will actively engage and collaborate with these organizations. Additionally, we will provide capacity building support to enhance their effectiveness in driving community development. This collaboration will help us to utilise the expertise and knowledge already present within these entities.
Promotion of ‘Non-intensive’ CIs
In line with our program designs and strategy, we will continue promoting ‘non-intensive’ Cis for example VDMC, WASH groups etc. These institutions, with limited objectives such as awareness or technical capacity building, require less time and resources. By integrating them into our approach, we can address specific community needs effectively while optimizing resource utilization.