Inspired by their experience in Bolivia where a successful alliance between local organisations, the local authorities and a donor agency has delivered a sustainable system for road maintenance, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has developed a 'Toolkit for Promoting Sustainability of Rural Transport Infrastructure'. Their aim is to strengthen the sustainability of rehabilitation and maintenance systems serving rural mobility by enabling decision-making leaders and rural development practitioners to make local level investments that meet local capacities. At the forefront of the toolkit's approach is an awareness of the socio-political factors underpinning any community driven initiative. Participation is highlighted as key to the appropriation of the project by local stakeholders and vital in the mobilisation of local resources. Maintenance is addressed as an integral component of any infrastructure intervention and as a product of empowerment and development processes rather than just a technical or financial issue. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E208431.
Samenvatting