AID grant no. 517-0247-G-00-3132-00 to the Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral, Inc. (IDDI) to implement the democratic initiatives - water and sanitation project

The project, which will be coordinated with similar IDDI projects in the Santo Domingo area, will include activities in democratic strengthening, environmental and hygiene education, and water system and related construction. The democratic strengthening component will promote neighborhood organizations that will be capable of managing construction works, obtaining resources on their own or from the project to maintain the facilities, and developing mechanisms for cost recovery. Nuclei of residents will be formed for every 20-25 families, and each nucleus will elect a committee of up to three delegates, responsible for, e.g, oversight of construction, maintenance, etc. In addition, ENVBA teams (voluntary base nucleus teams) will be formed (one ENVBA for every 15 nuclei) to serve as extension agents for the project and vehicles of expression for the communities. The organizational mechanisms created will be the means of implementing the educational process, which will include workshops, courses, day-long meetings, and cycles of talks on environmental protection, sanitation, garbage collection, waste disposal, use of latrines, and personal hygiene. Training in group organization and leadership will be included in this component, as well as promotion of dialogue and interchanges between Los Manguitos and organizations in adjacent neighborhoods, as well as with organizations in other sectors. The final component will support construction of water/sanitation and related works according to a Regulatory Plan for Physical Improvement for Los Manguitos. Efforts will include construction of a potable water network and public fountains, of community latrines and a sewer network, stabilization of steep slopes and hillsides, creation of a network of footpaths to improve mobility in the overcrowded walkways of Los Manguitos, construction of community service centers, and garbage collection activities.