The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) selected International Relief and Development (IRD)’s Community Outreach and Capacity Building (COCB) Model to be highlighted at their Local Capacity Development Summit on June 18, 2012. Key to IRD’s success in working in unstable conflict and disaster environments is the use of the COCB service model. IRD has learned that improvement in one sector without gains in the others does not generally lead to long-term growth and improved overall capacity. The COCB approach ensures successful project delivery by addressing the capacity needs of all core players, including the government and public sector, the private sector, and beneficiary communities. http://www.scribd.com/doc/97462565/Community-Outreach-and-Capacity-Building-for-Infrastructure

1. Community Outreach & Capacity Building
An Integrated Approach
June 2012

2. Community Outreach & Capacity Building
• IRD’s approach is community-based &
integrated
• COCB combines community
engagement, risk mitigation & capacity
building
• The aim is to increase likelihood of
success on high-risk infrastructure
projects
2

3. The COCB Model: An Integrated Approach
3

4. Outreach & Engagement
• Community Outreach: connecting to community leaders, building
relationships
• Community Mobilization: organizing leaders to share information & solve
problems
• Needs Assessments: identifying community needs, linking communities to
programs
• Information Dissemination: promoting awareness, providing information,
tools & products
• Conflict Mitigation: working with stakeholders to resolve issues
4

5. Engagement & Mobilization
IRD engages the community before
project commencement to
•Identify community needs
•Mobilize leaders & obtain agreements
in support of the project
•Hire & train local staff
5

6. Training & Development
• Development programs based on needs assessments
– Grant administration
– Application assistance
– Community cost share
– Compliant disbursement of funds
• Building stakeholder capacity in government, private sector
& communities
– Training programs
– Employment opportunities
– Mentoring and advising
6

7. Approach to Capacity Building
Government & private-sector
•Mentoring & on-the-job experience
•Formal training programs for qualified
firms
•Internship & mentor-protégé programs
•Training in use of industry-standard
software
7

8. Development Grants Programs
• Needs-based & high-impact
• Procedures in place to ensure compliant disbursement of
funds
• Efficient monitoring procedures
• Documentation of results
8

9. Illustrative Small-Grants Projects
Small Infrastructure
•Rehabilitation of irrigation canals,
schools, clinics & markets
•Construction of potable water wells
Agriculture
•Establishment of greenhouses &
nurseries
•Training in agricultural practices
•Sapling distribution
Gender
•Vocational training
Literacy training for rural Afghan women
•Small business support
•Animal husbandry
9

10. Benefits of COCB
• Reduction of overall project risk
• Increased capacity in infrastructure sector
• Increased community economic viability through needs-based
development
10

11. Contact
Gretchen Soulé
Regional Manager, Infrastructure
gsoule@ird-dc.org
703-248-0161
International Relief & Development
1621 N Kent St., 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22209
11