Knowledge for Poverty Alleviation :: Changes in Community Assets/Capital

Develop KPA Tools

About the KPA tools Anatomy of Success and Vulnerability Interplay of Capital Changes in Community Assets/Capital

Tell us what you think

Changes in Community Assets/Capital

This tool provides a glimpse of gains realized through the project not only vis-à-vis project objectives, but also in terms of improvements in the community’s intangible assets. This in effect widens the traditional definition of “success” in development projects as it provides development workers and the community with a broader concept of project outcomes and impact.

Below is an example of how this tool can be applied in a community based project.

Changes in the Assets/Capital After the Project: Lamut Nutrient Supplementation Project

STAKEHOLDER CAPITAL	Twelve out of the eighteen barangays are now funding community health projects; The Sangguniang Bayan through the Municipal Health Board has passed legislation to support the project; Increase in the number of partners for health and nutrition projects. These include: IFEDECO (Ifugao Federation of Development Cooperatives); Medical/ Drug Companies; Armed Forces of the Philippines; Feed the Children-Philippines; LAGSADECO.
FINANCIAL CAPITAL	P3,000 – 6,000 annual appropriation from the Barangay LGU for health projects; P50,000 annual appropriation by the Municipal Health Board; Imputed counterpart of parents (labor, contributions for feeding program);
STRUCTURAL CAPITAL	At the LGU Level: Improved systems and procedures in the delivery of services and in terms of informal procedures on capital mobilization; At the community level: BNS, BHWs and parents/families have improved systems in feeding, monitoring and evaluation.
HUMAN CAPITAL	The BNS and BHWs gained additional knowledge in macro and micro nutrient supplementation, maternal and childcare, since they also benefited from the training they conducted for the mothers. 505 mothers have become more knowledgeable about nutrition and maternal and child care; 129 children are more healthy, thus preventing them from catching common illnesses, and school children can be expected to have better academic performance; Mothers can now experiment on various menus to suit the family’s budget and their taste preferences.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CAPITAL	Improved commitment of BHW and BNS personnel; “Dole-out” mentality of the target families was reduced because of their participation in the project; Changed their eating habits because they were exposed to other foods that hey they were not accustomed to eat, thus widening their food choices, as well as adopting healthier food preparation practices.
NATURAL CAPITAL	The use of their backyards is maximized by planting vegetables that they can consume and become a source of additional income.
AVAILABLE APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY	Introduction of alternative menus/recipes for poor families as a replacement for the Vita Meal.

What do you think?

Tell us what you think about this tool. Also, if you have other potentially useful tools in mind or if you simply would like to share some thoughts on the tools development process, please post a comment!

posted by Jasmin on 04/04/08

The best would be to compare the post-project gains and pre-project picture. The table will look extensive and expansive but will provide the reader with rich information.