The Human Face of the Communities Leading Development (CLD) Project

Upon the completion of the Communities Leading Development (CLD) project in 2023, USAID and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) decided to compile the project's key programming, methodological, and human aspects into a publication titled The Human Face of the CLD Project.

The CLD project was created as a response to the pressing development needs of the communities in the Western Highlands and the push factors of migration. This initiative is also aligned with CRS guiding principles of working for the poorest and most vulnerable populations and contributing to building a more just and resilient society that can move above the poverty threshold.

Phases I and II of CLD focused on strengthening community organization, enhancing community leadership skills, and designing inclusive planning for community development. In phases III and IV, the project underwent some modifications to implement high-impact and sustainability projects for community development. These projects were based on the Community Development Plans (CDPs) and involved collaborating with Technical Implementing Partners (TIPs) who brought specific expertise in areas such as water and sanitation, economic and business development, and entrepreneurship.

To respond to the priorities and needs identified in the 203 CDPs, CLD mobilized over $36.3 million leveraged by the private and public sectors through implementing over 666 community projects, directly benefitting 16,575 families.

As demonstrated in this publication, USAID and CRS achieved significant achievements through 25 alliances. These achievements include community producers gaining access to new markets, increased technical capacity, new investment opportunities, increased women’s leadership across all project activities, strengthening 38 MIPYMES; 727 youth trained in entrepreneurial skills, as well as the creation, and training of 43 community water commissions, benefitting more than 30,000 people through access to potable water.

These successful results encourage us to invite donors, business people, municipal mayors, public sector organizations, and civil society to replicate and continue the empowerment, funds-seeking, and investment actions directed at communities that have created a Community Development Plan to achieve their vision of community development.

This is just the beginning!