The fact is simple: There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for addressing a community’s water, sanitation or other basic needs. A water supply solution for one community in Kenya can look drastically different than a water supply solution for another community only a few kilometers away. The geographic, cultural and political fabric of each community Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) partners with is unique, which is why the engineering solutions are unique, too.
Behind each successful EWB-USA project are professional engineers who volunteer their time and expertise to develop community-based solutions. These professionals put together the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) Program, a framework for successfully developing and implementing projects through community engagement.
What is community engagement?
Community engagement starts at the beginning of the project cycle. Projects are proposed and led by the communities themselves, with community leadership continuing throughout the life of the project. For EWB-USA projects, community engagement takes a variety of forms, including:
- Working with a community to support development of a project proposal
- Conducting community surveys and focus groups to determine the community’s opinions and perceptions of issues they face as well as proposed solutions
- Developing relationships with community leaders and stakeholders
- Supporting communities to develop committees (such as fundraising, implementation, and/or operations) in order to build a sustainable project
- Collaborating with community members to implement project designs
Community engagement looks different for each community. In order to identify challenges and opportunities, EWB-USA project teams need to be well-versed in various engagement strategies.
Why is community engagement important?
It is well-documented that more than half of development projects fail. Often, these projects fail because solutions are provided for communities instead of being driven by the community. This approach proves to be a short-term bandage for larger systemic problems, ultimately failing to be integrated into the community. By engaging with the community appropriately, EWB-USA makes sure the projects are developed in alignment with the unique local culture, geography, social determinants and political dynamics. Just like no two people are the same, no two communities are the same and therefore neither are the solutions.
The PMEL program provides guidance and parameters that are applicable to a diverse portfolio of projects. EWB-USA doesn’t provide project teams with a standardized survey or pigeonhole projects into using methods that worked for another team. Instead, they’ll help keep teams informed through a “toolbox” of strategic engagement options.