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Pioneering Community
Based Contracting in
Jamaica
by Winsome Hudson-Reid, Community Based Contracting & Training Coordinator, JSIF
JSIF is one of the first organizations in Jamaica to pilot THE PROCESS
Community Based Contracting (CBC) as part of its Community The project process starts when the community group organizes
Driven Development implementation methodology. This itself into a community-based organization (CBO) and identifies
methodology, unlike traditional implementation approaches, its greatest developmental needs. Before any work begins on
removes the power from government agencies/project funders the project, the group is assessed to determine if it has the
by allowing communities to take control of their project capacity and capabilities to undertake the tasks required. If it is
and thus enhances community capacity, and governance found that the groups do not have the requisite organizational
structures. In the more than ten years since JSIF started structures (regular meetings being held, specific persons with
using this methodology, communities have successfully defined responsibilities etc.), organizational strengthening and
implemented over four hundred infrastructure, training and capacity building training sessions are given before the groups
equipment projects worth approximately JM$1B across the are taught the CBC procedures. The groups that have the proper
island. JSIF has worked with community groups on single organizational structures and have been assessed as having
projects where the relationship ends once it is completed and sufficient capacity, will only receive the CBC training, as they
on multiple projects where the groups work with the Fund over would not need the capacity strengthening sessions.
a number of years. JSIF’s staff has observed that for the groups
with multiple exposures to the procedures the benefit has been Given that JSIF can only enter into contracts with registered
higher with a number of them using the skills and competencies entities, groups must attain legal status by fulfilling the
learnt to independently secure grants from other entities such criteria and registering with the Department of Co-operatives
as USAID, Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, CHASE and & Friendly Societies (DCFS) as a Benevolent Society, Friendly
the Digicel Foundation. Society or Co-operative, or with the Companies Office as a
company. In the event that the group is unable to be registered,
A central feature of this approach is that it recognizes the JSIF permits a registered body such as a Non-Governmental
“on-the-ground” experience and knowledge of the community Organization (NGO) or a Church to become the representative
members in project design, implementation, monitoring and legal entity with the CBO being responsible for the project
maintenance. Under this model, communities are responsible implementation activities. Before the sponsor group is given
for all major implementation activities such as procuring all or funds or undertakes any implementation tasks, JSIF provides
a selected number of goods and services. They are the primary extensive training in all the required technical procedures such
decision makers with JSIF providing funding, oversight and as: procurement guidelines, financial management, record
technical guidance to ensure compliance with all standards keeping and reporting. During the implementation process, if
and guidelines. By strengthening local governance structures, JSIF team realizes that the sponsor group is not managing the
JSIF facilitates the building of local capacity to sustain and tasks as required, refresher training is undertaken in the areas
extend development initiatives outside of the scope of JSIF that are weak.
investment.
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