What is CCDP (CBOs Capacity Development Project ) :: Introduction

Among the world’s most populous nations, Pakistan faces innumerable challenges in terms of human development and poverty alleviation. Associated with these are the problems relevant to intensive growth: only 32% of Pakistani population is urban based, the majority being rural based and entrenched in poverty (33% of population lives below poverty line and 66% is rural based according to the World Bank, 2006). Poverty in Pakistan is said to be predominantly a rural phenomenon. The vast majority of rural poor derive their living from agriculture and off farm employment. The agriculture sector accounts for 25% of GDP and employs 45% of the labour force (IMF, 2004). This group in most cases also does not have access to basic services.

In order to reach to the rural masses, and address the poverty issue, it is necessary that a collective community development is made an essential part of the development efforts. Over the years, the concept of community mobilization and development for self-help has been appreciated and, the need for platforms for the community to plan development activities and to link up to government and other service providers has also been recognized by an endorsement of the RSP approach. Community development has therefore become an agenda for the Government of Pakistan (GoP) as well.

A recent effort is the establishment of a Community Development Department (CDD) in the Local Government system). Recent trends and studies have revealed that the government cannot fight with the developmental problems at on its own hence, community development is an essential and vital issue, as it motivates and mobilizes both human and material resources, to supplement governments’ efforts to accelerate the development process.