5.1 Project Gains

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The UNCHS project has successfully demonstrated that the community in itself is a substantial resource and harnessing this could have beneficial effects for a project. Involving the community in different phases of a project not only helps in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of resource utilisation, but could also help in filling the missing resource gaps either financially or otherwise. The project has utilised this potential of the community in an effective way.

Institutions are often blamed for ineffective delivery mechanisms. However, the crux of the problem is that appropriate receptive structures are also missing at the grass-root levels to inculcate the objectives of programmes. The single largest achievement in this project has been the institutionalisation of community structures. The main idea has been to involve those who are benefited in planning, implementation and monitoring of various services and community activities.

The clear gains of the project could therefore be quantified into two parts:

1. Institutionalising the community for the following purposes

· Identifying needs and prioritising them
· Participation in planning and decision making processes
· Monitoring of services and programmes
· Financial contributions throughout the project's life cycle.

2. Convergence of different programmes with similar objectives

· Improving physical infrastructure and services in selected areas

· Providing education and health facilities through Balwadis, Anganwadis etc. and primary health centres

· Providing vocational training to women to improve their income and employment opportunities