SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (SDF)

  An Organization for Social Development under the Ministry of Finance

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The main program of SDF is the Social Investment Program Project (SIPP), a government-led initiative supported by the World Bank. SDF has conceptualized the program to address the critical poverty as outlined in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of the Government of Bangladesh. SIPP follows a holistic approach that includes infrastructure, livelihood and institutional development interventions required for sustainable livelihood opportunities. 

The project was launched on pilot basis in April, 2003 in Gaibandha and Jamalpur, the two most impoverished districts of Bangladesh. It is being implemented with Community Driven Development (CDD) approach (as in India , Sri Lanka etc.) that gives communities the control over planning, decision making and investment resources. Its main objective is to develop effective financing and institutional arrangements at community level for improving their access to local infrastructure and basic services through community-driven small-scale infrastructures and social assistance.  

Under the program, villagers form development committees, identify community priorities and chalk out small projects that benefit the hardcore poor (HCP) and poor. So far, nearly 2.0 million people of Gaibandha and Jamalpur districts have been benefited from the project. SIPP is planning to create links with private sector enterprises for training and job placement, especially for the youth, and market linkages for village agricultural goods, products and services.

The government is preparing a follow-on project to SIPP- Empowerment and Livelihood Project (SIPP II) based on the lessons learned from the current operation. The project is expected to start by early 2010.

Key Focus of the Project

Empowerment of the poorest through capacity building    Top

The unique approach of SIPP is the inclusion of the hardcore poor and poor, mostly women and youths, at all levels of village institutions, and their direct involvement in priority setting. This gives them the opportunity to have a strong collective voice and increases both their control over and accountability for resources and decision making.

Livelihood Promotion    Top

The project focuses on livelihoods of the poorest and most vulnerable villagers  through organizing them into savings and production groups, and linking them with information about local resources, markets, prices and technical assistance so that they can undertake income-generating activities or receive training on employment skills.

Community Infrastructure and Social Services    Top

Communities plan, implement and monitor small infrastructure works, ranging from rural roads to schools to tube-wells with better quality but at low cost through direct financing from the project. This has enhanced the overall quality of life through better connectivity to main roads and towns, and better access to safe drinking water and other services.

Special Features of SIPP  

• Community-driven development approach - the project focuses on building and sustaining village-level institution and transferring decision-making responsibilities and resources to the communities.

• Self-help and ownership of program by the rural poor - the poor are considered as primary stakeholders and not as recipients of a aid or beneficiaries, thus the focus has  been on "self-help" and autonomy of the village  institutions.

• Bottom-up planning and  development catering to the needs and priorities of the poor - the poor plan their priorities, implement and manage their assets and also explore different options taking into account the foreseeable operation and maintenance costs.

• Community contribution - the communities contribute 15% of the capital costs of infrastructure and are responsible for operation as well as maintenance creating strong community township.

• Good governance and accountability - the communities comply with a set of ethical rules called "Ten Golden Rules", and ensure that decisions about beneficiaries, village development activities and the use of funds are taken in a participatory and transparent manner.