Community-Driven Reconstruction projects are being employed in post-conflict situations around the globe. They are a mechanism to disburse development funds rapidly and support the war-to-peace transition by strengthening local communities and rendering decision-making more transparent and accountable. There is some evidence that Community-Driven Reconstruction approaches improve material well-being, reinforce democratic political attitudes, and increase social cohesion in post-conflict countries. This evaluation examined whether the Community-Driven Reconstruction project actually delivers the many benefits claimed, and showed that there were significant positive effects on social cohesion. Survey data suggest that the program reduced social tension, increased the inclusion of marginalized groups, and enhanced individuals’ trust in community leadership.
The Airbel Impact Lab at IRC is a team of researchers, strategists and innovators committed to the accelerated design, rigorous evaluation and cost-effective scaling of the most impactful solutions supporting people affected by crisis.