AID grant no. AID-521-G-134 to Catholic Relief Services for the groupement pilot project which will develop and test a methodology for peasant organization and non-formal education in rural Haiti

Caritas/Gonaives, CRS"s Haitian counterpart, will implement the project in three successive phases. During Phase I, Caritas will develop procedures for the formation of groupements (autonomous voluntary associations of peasants). Nonformal educational materials and methods will be developed during Phase II for use within and by the groupements, focusing on such topics as farm and household management, health, rural economics, local development, etc. Caritas will also provide TA in the application of labor-intensive, low-cost technologies for agriculture, food processing, storage, rural sanitation, etc. Caritas will institutionalize the project procedures and technologies during Phase III by establishing an independent Rural Development Resource Center (RDRC). The RDRC will function as a resource and training center for communities and other public and private development organizations in Haiti. Services will include: (1) site analysis and feasibility studies for proposed projects; (2) project design assistance; (3) educational material development; and (4) information dissemination.