5.3 Sustainability

The judicious management of funds with freedom of choice by the poor will happen only when they participate in the planning process thus enabling them to use the money with greater economy and financial leverage. The application of group intelligence helps to find better and practical ways to find use for money dedicated for improvement of their areas.

At the same time it is important to mobilise internal resources rather than looking for external subsidies or grants. Thrift and Credit Societies might help in improving the economic structure of the beneficiaries and their repaying capacities. Once the repaying capacities are increased, loans from development agencies like NABARD, HUDCO etc. could be mobilised. Thrift and Credit Societies are likely to establish and strengthen group dynamics as well as transparency in distribution as well as repayment of the seed capital. Recovery of cost from these societies will also be significantly high.

The key aspect of the present programme was the concept of convergence of programmes addressing the multiple problems of the urban poor, as also the independent efforts of the respective municipalities to improve slum areas. It is obvious that the removal of poverty entails physical, social, economic, health and environmental improvements. The UNCHS programme succeeded in involving the various agencies and other stakeholders in the pilot cities. The continuance of such co-ordinated efforts will go a long way in ensuring sustainability of future projects.