Sustainable Community Development Process

strengths needs priorities data

strategy draft goals and objectives activities, schedule &

responsibilities resources available &

needed

revised goals and objectives, including monitoring and evaluation plan

assumptions gender sustainability

impact indicators

measurable results, plan for using them

Participatory Diagnostic Assessment (PDA):

A process through which:

You better understand the community – what’s working well, what could be improved

You develop personal & professional relationships that support your work & safety, and your overall experience

You define and map-out your work during your Volunteer service

Participatory Diagnostic Assessment process

Conversations & interviews with community members

Name persons that you should seek out to talk with

Conversations & interviews with institutions / agencies

Consider project work and possible non-project work

Organization of the information

(In a form suitable for a presentation and report)

PDA Outputs

• Presentation to your Program Manager and fellow Volunteers at your reconnect IST

• Written report to Peace Corps and your work partner (draft submitted to your PM during reconnect IST, final report due 6 months after swearing-in)

• Other outputs will include various discussions and work ideas/plans that come out of your PDA

Participatory Diagnostic Assessment

Presentation(due at your reconnect IST with your

PM and peers as your audience)

Report(draft due to your PM at your reconnect IST, final report due six months after Swearing-In)

I. Summary of diagnostic techniques that you used for your PDA

II. Findings relevant to your project work & non-project activities

III. Activities that you are currently involved in

IV. Activities you foresee for the next six months

V. Issues or challenges that you would like to discuss with the group

I. Introduction• Purpose of Analysis• Information Collection techniques

II. Community Profile • General information• FREEHOP or other PACA tools• Baseline Data • Leaders and communicators

III. Institutions / Programs IV. Challenges and Opportunities

• Existing projects addressing challenges

• Volunteer added value

V. Draft Volunteer Strategic Plan

Data to gather include• Assets in your community • Felt community needs (related to your work)• Existing knowledge, skills, attitudes, and

behaviors in your communities/schools• Status of existing infrastructure (e.g. libraries,

water systems, greenhouses)• Existing institutions (e.g. clubs, committees, etc.)• Baseline quality of life (e.g. nutrition, health,

income, environment)• Resources are already at work or available• What’s been tried and failed in the past and why

Next Steps: Review PDA examples from other

posts Develop Cambodia PDA with:

– Clear instructions and guidance– Information to gather– Suggested methods to gather

information Improved training