Get the Local Community’s Consensus!

During the final stages of implementation of the small DRR projects, it was very important to inform the key local stakeholders (KLS) about the planned activities and outcomes, even if they were not involved in every stage of the project. Because many participants were not aware of the municipal regulations in their areas, one group planned to provide large solid waste containers to address the problem of the accumulation of solid waste in their area. KLS, who are aware of the enforced municipal regulations, refused to take responsibility for placing large solid waste containers in their communities claiming that the municipality would immediately confiscate them due to municipal regulations. As a compromise, rather than placing large solid waste containers throughout the community, participants decided to purchase smaller, private solid waste containers in their buildings.

Local Communities & Behavior Change

Since the start of the small project implementation component of GRRAM, the perceptions of many participants have changed notably. Initially, they complained about the limited budgets and timeframes constraining their DRR projects and affecting their ability to properly plan projects that reflected the communities’ priorities. This forced the groups to implement projects that addressed secondary VCA priorities, focusing on raising the awareness of the local communities on subjects such as first aid and violence against children, and providing modest resources such as first aid kits, solid waste containers, and small water tanks. However, the perception of many DRR participants had changed by the end of small project implementation. Many admitted that they have positively changed their behaviors and are now aware of the importance of trainings as well as projects that provide direct inputs. Furthermore, they are more aware of the concepts of DRR and now believe that positive behavior change is an important achievement for their communities.