This project is learning from best practice in the use of community based services, notably community workers, as a model for the delivery of public services, and to take this forward in regions where there is an interest in implementing such an approach.
The purpose is that 'organisations in SA, Uganda, Lesotho and Kenya have adapted and implemented a community-based worker system for service provision in the Natural Resource/HIV sectors, and policy makers and practitioners in the region have increased aware-ness and interest in the use of CBW models for pro-poor service delivery'.

Approach & Methodology

An action-research project was implemented (funded by DFID) to learn lessons from best practice in the world, linked to countries in Africa where there is an active interest in implementing community-based worker systems. Partner organisations exchanged experience with each other and with places with successful experience of implementing such a programme. Partners learnt and reflected on how this could be applied and implemented most effectively. It was piloted, evaluated and mainstreamed and built on the experience of a successful 4 country action-learning project also funded by DFID looking at another aspect of local governance i.e. community-based planning.

The partners in each country include key Government departments and NGOs where improved Community-based Worker Systems (CBW )systems are being implemented. A national government partner was also  involved in assisting with cross-cutting lessons about service delivery. National Steering Committees were established in each country.

The project was managed in a decentralised manner, supporting the emergence in each country of a national process to mainstream community-based services.