The sustainability of community development programmes remains an overriding concern of development practitioners, not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. SDRC was commissioned to undertake a literature review, looking at the sustainability of community development programmes implemented in the Philippines, focusing specifically on the areas of health, nutrition, and early childhood education. The review seeks to clarify the theoretical issues and practical problems of developing sustainable community-based programmes along the areas mentioned, in both urban and rural settings.
Insights gained from the literature review are intended to assist the funding agencies in the formulation of their development programmes, as well as in the design of a sustainability study to be conducted.
Initial phase of the review was the identification of academic institutions, non-government organizations and funding agencies involved in community development programs focusing on the areas of health nutrition, pre-school and livelihood. The experiences of these groups served as the major content of the study.
From these varied experiences, the following specific areas were examined: The experience of community financing schemes, the role of community organizing and community involvement in the sustainability of programmes, as well as in institutional development, networking/linkages with government bodies and non-government agencies, and integration which facilitate sustainability. It also looked at socio-cultural factors that promote sustainability and whether sustainability issues are different in the urban and rural setting.
Data collection methods included secondary data analysis and interviews with key informants. The materials reviewed included published and unpublished articles and reports from academic institutions/agencies involved in community development programs. Representatives from these various organizations and agencies served as key informants.
