Sustainable value for money – a glimpse of the holy grail?

ABSTRACT

This practical note presents striking findings from a research project in Malawi, comparing the cost effectiveness of a traditional project approach with a church and community mobilisation approach (CCM). The research found that CCM had the same level of positive impact on quality of life but at 4% of the cost. It also found that CCM communities were almost four times more confident in solving problems themselves, indicating a much greater likelihood of sustainability. To realise the potential advantages of faith in development means funders and faith-based organisations have to mobilise local faith communities. CCM is a challenging but cost-effective alternative to the NGO-project approach.

KEYWORDS:

• Aid – Aid effectiveness, Development policies
• Civil society – Participation
• NGOs
• Methods
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Steffie Kemp is CCMP Advocacy and Learning Coordinator with Eagles Relief and Development Programme. She has lived in Malawi for 12 years. Her areas of interest include the role of faith and mindset in community-owned development. She is pursuing an MSc in human rights law from Oxford University.

Rob MacLennan is reading economics at the University of Cambridge. His fields of interest are behavioural and development economics.

Rick James has worked in international development with INTRAC for over 25 years. He is a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Faculty of Management, CASS Business School, London, directing the NGO Management Masters pathway. Rick has published more than 50 articles and eight books.