Footsteps 64

PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Photo: Jim Loring/Tearfund

This issue focuses on the topic of sustainability. We are looking at planning for the long term; to ensure that development can bring real and lasting transformation to a community, that will continue beyond a limited period of funding or external input. Sustainability should be thought about not just in terms of funding but also in terms of ideas, attitudes, motivation, faith, relationships, and ability to organise. It is about empowering people.

Please find below articles from Footsteps issue 64 in html.

To download a pdf version of Footsteps issue 64 click here (635K).

Bible study Our attitude towards money. God has created and provided us with everything we have, therefore we have a responsibility to look after the resources he has given us. What we have should be viewed as a gift from God and not as something that we ha... More >>

Editorial This issue focuses on the topic of sustainability. We are looking at planning for the long term; to ensure that development can bring real and lasting transformation to a community, that will continue beyond a limited period of funding or external in... More >>

Lessons learned in phasing out by Amanda Comish. Phasing out sounds such a strange thing for an organisation to do. The term phase out refers to an organisation withdrawing their support from a project, partner, community or country. What is the best way to do this? Ending a long... More >>

Letters Support for deaf people. I am a specialised teacher and am also deaf. I have six children but was abandoned by their father a long time ago. I am also a tutor for two little deaf and dumb boys. Deaf women in poor countries often face particular ... More >>

Needs assessment by Rachel Blackman. Many development projects are not sustainable because they are not ‘owned’ by the people they seek to help. Sometimes a project starts when one influential person in the community, or an outsider, looks at the community and iden... More >>

Planning for sustainability by Karim Sahyoun. The idea of development is to bring about positive, sustainable change. Development should not be seen as something new to a community, brought in by outside organisations. Rather, it is an ongoing process which may lead to improv... More >>

Principles and practices of sustainable community development by Emelita Santos Goddard. For community development work to be sustainable, it is important to have a vision and plan for this from the start. Partnership and local participation are key, as sustainability is achieved when the development process ... More >>

Resources A Book for Midwives: care for pregnancy, birth and women’s health by Susan Klein, Suellen Miller and Fiona Thomson The Hesperian Foundation has released a new, revised edition of A Book for Midwives. It aims to support care of women during labour... More >>

Some tips for financial sustainability Planning is important for financial sustainability. Start with your organisation’s vision and aims, and then look to see how that work could be funded. Stay focused on work that uses the skills, experience and knowledge you have within the organisati... More >>

Strengthening churches through good stewardship - ACK Katmatakimo, Kenya by John Mwaniki. During the 1980s and 1990s, a lot of outside funding was available for church development in Kenya. Fourteen new dioceses were formed to benefit from this extra funding. However, growth in numbers does not represent growth in maturi... More >>

Strengthening communities for sustainable change by Vannesa Lovera Hidalgo. The Asociación San Lucas (Saint Luke’s Association) works to develop communities by providing training in planning and negotiation skills, and by encouraging networking with the local government and other organisations. ... More >>

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