Communities Leading Development Project Quarterly Report 7

The project is a five-year initiative led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in partnership with Mercy Corps, National Cooperative Business Association, CLUSA International, Association for Integral Development of the Western Highlands, Caritas Los Altos, and Caritas San Marcos. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, the project continued to advance towards its objectives. Objective 1, Citizens empowered through participation in development and implementation of Community Development Plans (CDPs), was progressed through comprehensive diagnostics for each of 120 Year One communities and fulfillment of a base package of defined criteria to ensure inclusive community development planning in 80 Year Two communities. All 60 CLD Field Technical Advisors participated in two multi-day workshops to ensure uniform understanding of the adapted AVANCSO community development planning methodology, particularly regarding the participation of identifiable social groups like women and youth. The project's community development planning methodology is designed to empower citizens through participation in development and implementation of CDPs. This involves inclusive participation in identification and prioritization of community needs and assets, strengthened COCODES lead development of CDPs, and local groups engaged to implement projects responsive to CDP priorities. The project also aims to improve the quality of life for project participants, including women, indigenous populations, youth, and people with disabilities, in some of Guatemala's most marginalized communities. The project has established a Community Development Fund (CDF) to support community development initiatives and has increased investment in the Western Highlands. A long-term sustainability plan for the CDF has also been developed to ensure the project's long-term sustainability. The project has also encountered some problems, including security issues, which are being addressed through remedial actions. The project has made significant progress in advancing towards its objectives, including the completion of comprehensive diagnostics for 120 Year One communities and the fulfillment of a base package of defined criteria for 80 Year Two communities. The project has also expanded local groups for empowerment and has established a Community Development Fund to support community development initiatives. The project's community development planning methodology has been adapted to ensure inclusive participation of identifiable social groups like women and youth. The project's success is evident in the progress made towards its objectives, including the empowerment of citizens through participation in development and implementation of CDPs, the improvement of the quality of life for project participants, and the establishment of a Community Development Fund to support community development initiatives. The project's long-term sustainability plan has also been developed to ensure the project's continued success beyond the five-year period.