WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2009 -- The World Bank Board of Directors approved an US$8 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) for Haiti to provide basic infrastructure and social services for disadvantaged rural communities through a participatory process in which community-based organizations propose, select, implement, and maintain subprojects.

“This project was designed to help strengthen local constituency organizations and provide a means through which citizens can determine their most pressing investment needs and access funds to meet them,” said Yvonne Tsikata, World Bank Director for the Caribbean “In addition, community-driven development projects promote local empowerment and greater transparency in the allocation of resources.”

This grant builds upon the successful implementation of the Community-Driven Development Project (PRODEP), originally supported by a US$38 million grant approved by the Bank in July 2005. The new funds, which will go towards the 32 municipalities that participated within the first phase of the ongoing project, will scale-up the direct transfer of funds to local community organizations to improve their access to basic social and economic infrastructure and income-generating activities, benefiting approximately 60,000 additional residents.

Specifically, the additional funds will support the following activities:

• Community subproject funds, management and support: This component will finance approximately 300 additional small-scale investments. The investments are identified by community organizations and prioritized in project development councils.
• Technical assistance: This component will finance the training of trainers in basic management, administration, accounting and financial management and sharing of experiences and knowledge between municipal and regional representatives, and local councils.

To date, PRODEP has focused on community subprojects that include: productive or income-generating investments (grain mills, cassava mills, fruit processing, cyber cafes); basic infrastructure (potable water, hand pumps, small spring catchment, spot rehabilitation of rural roads, soil conservation, electrification); and social centers (community centers, vocational training facilities). A total of approximately 45,000 people have directly benefited from these subprojects, and approximately 210,000 have benefited indirectly.