Angola revitilization projects : a review of accomplishments and study of impact -- final report

(CREA), on a project (1996-11/98) to support community revitalization projects (CRPs) in Angola. In Angola, implementation of CREA's Post-conflict Target Area Strategy (TAS) model for CRPs in war-torn communities focused on resettlement, reintegration, and selected development needs of war-torn municipalities. Until the outbreak of renewed hostilities, the model was successful, particularly in Balombo, in establishing durable patterns of participation and sustainable self-help interventions by unifying fractured social, political, and traditional structures; moving communities out of paralysis caused by conflict; providing start-up capital for community investment; revitalizing municipalities' farm-to-market patterns; and developing interested, representative community organizations and associations. Programming to mitigate armed violence was not possible, however, and while conflict prevention was not within the program's purview, events in Angola have proven deeply disappointing, particularly in light of the great reconciliation strides taken in Balombo. Project experience taught that the model requires a seasoned, well-trained, and knowledgeable staff; a consistent methodology; and minimum political, social, economic, and cultural conditions (detailed in the report.) Key findings and lessons learned are as follows: (1) If properly implemented, CRPs can facilitate the transition from war to peace by intervening in various degrees throughout the relief-to-development continuum. (2) Strategic programming -- with a regional presence of a year or more -- contributes exponentially to greater outreach; improved communication linkages; increases in freedom of movement, citizen participation, productivity, and reconciliation; and ameliorated living conditions. (3) Larger, symbolic infrastructure projects are an effective way to establish presence and initiate activities. They are generally what the communities want (other than free distributions) and give staff an opportunity to test the community's organizational capacities, understand its power dynamics, identify effective leaders and workers, and develop logistics systems. (4) In CREA/Angola's spheres of influence, programming for reconciliation between civilians is both feasible and sustainable, even in the event of conflict. (5) Where two opposing factions control villages, the implementer must strike a balance along political lines. Emergency assistance does not contribute to a perceived potential for a better quality of life; sustainable projects do. (6) A "tough love" attitude by the implementing organization is effective in social mobilization for project identification and implementation and for sustainability of interventions. (7) Unnecessary payment for services and materials available in the community cheapens the perceived value of the project, encourages corruption, and lessens civic pride and feelings of ownership. (8) Community investment, largely through participation, is required if projects are to have a chance at sustainability. (9) Communities are more likely to participate in a project if they have had an active role in its selection and design. (10) Infrastructure CRPs (especially roads, bridges, and schools) were seen as symbols of the international community's belief and commitment to the peace process. (11) CRPs have helped reestablish links between communities under UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) and MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) influence. CRPs targeting shared infrastructure needs catalyzed interaction among communities separated by the war. (12) The communities have rehabilitated or opened 396 km of roads and rehabilitated or built 73 bridges under the TAS model. (13) An example of a labor-intensive infrastructure project implemented without any incentive for community participation besides promotion is the irrigation channel. During the life of the project, CREA/Angola and participating communities opened 412 km of irrigation canals and sources of potable water. (14) Schools are indicators of normalcy, and communities are willing to work together and contribute all locally available materials and manual labor for school construction. (15) Productivity CRPs benefit self-starters in communities, and support them as role models for other community members. (16) Except for some specific vocational training courses, projects that did not directly or indirectly benefit women were generally judged by the communities to be not in their best interests.