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CRITICAL FACTORS AFFECTING SUSTAINABILITY OF CBR PROGRAMMES


The term `sustainability' is commonly expressed in association with finding funds for CBR programmes. This interpretation of its meaning does not consider its relationship to many other aspects of the CBR programmes. Sustainability is a long-term concept, which addresses the citizens' central concerns and values, looks to the future, strengthens a community's ability to deal with change, develops processes for finding common ground, strives to benefit all members of the community, emphasises citizen involvement, improves accountability, develops a vision for the future, keeps track of the progress, and meets the basic resource needs.

`Sustainability' may be defined as the ability of the system to perpetuate itself using locally appropriate strategies (mission), which are predetermined by the governance of the system, who would like to see the system continue until its goals (vision) are fulfilled.

  1. Financial sustainability of the 'organisation' : Often refers to sustainability of the catalyst organisation's (usually an NGO in developing countries) structure and personnel, and not to sustainability of the programme. In times of diminished finances, the catalyst often changes the goals of the programme, thus sacrificing the programme in the interests of the catalyst organisation.
  2. Sustainability of the `mission' and 'vision' of the programme : This refers to preserving, perpetuating, maintaining, keeping alive or keep going in relation to the goals of the programme.


Phases of growth of an organisation

  1. Initial catalyst phase : Initial 1-2 years of high intensity involvement of a few initiators.
  2. Growth phase : Phase of creative expansion of work for 2-3 years.
  3. Crisis phase : A phase of conflict ridden decision making, which may lead to collapse of the programme, or a reorganisation, occurring usually around the 5th year of growth.
  4. Phase of sustainable growth : Steady phase of growth to fulfil the vision, after the initial years.


FACTORS INFLUENCING SUSTAINABILITY
Components of the system Factors influencing sustainability Strategies to improve sustainability
Organisation as a whole Institution building
Developing organisational values
Developing self reliance
Establish credible governance
Establish appropriate legal frame work
Establish institutional ethics
Transparency of organisational affairs
Influence competitors to become collaborators
Generate goodwill from community
Policies Developing need related policies
Developing strategies manageable within available resources
Participation of all stake-holders in developing vision, mission and objectives
Developing policies congruent with national plans
Transparency of policies & strategies
Developing valid vision & mission
Institute participatory analysis of needs and resources, literature review and feasibility study before starting the programme
Develop strategies through participation of stakeholders
Include all direct and indirect stake holders in decision making
Refer & consult national plans
Clarity of policies and plans
Undertake pilot project before starting the programme
Develop quantifiable definitions of strategic activities
Maintenance of permanency of vision and mission
Management Establishing accountability
Studying feasibility before initiating strategies
Establishing efficiency of administrative systems
Establishing personnel management systems
Improve transparency through communications
Effectively use of infrastructure
Describe roles & responsibilities & institute appraisals
Establish consensual decision making, regular monitoring, & participatory planning,Respond to consumer needs
Avoid high staff turnover
Institute career planning for personnel
Enhance training of appropriate skills
Leadership `Personality' of the leader
Transparency in communications
Technical skill
High motivation
Supervisory ability
Promote democratic leadership
Phase out unsuccessful strategies Introduce mid course changes
Avoid hidden agenda
Enhance motivation of personnel
Enhance interest of all stakeholders
Decentralise operations & transfer responsibilities to disabled persons & their families
Financial Optimal use of resources
Ensuring cost effective and cost beneficial interventions
Availability of financial resources
Access to national governmental and non-governmental funds
Ability to change according to national & international economic changes
Avoidance of over-funding beyond the project's capability for expansion
Avail multiple sources of funding
Access governmental funds & community funds
Designate income & expenditure to activitiesInstitute cost efficiency and cost benefit analysis
Avoid over-funding of projects
Interventions Training
Research
Coverage/Quality
Monitoring/ Evaluation
Awareness
Use proved interventions
Use appropriate technology suitable to local culture
Train and update intervention skills
Undertake research to upgrade interventions
Aim for maximum coverage, with available funds at optimum quality
Terminate unsuccessful strategies
Monitor regularly and make corrections
Evaluate periodically and make mid course changes in objectivesInstitute structured and target related awareness building
Phase out Withdrawal of the catalyst agency
Technical & financial self sufficiency
Attitude change in the community
Permanency of the `vision' & `mission' of the programme
Wide dissemination of policies to all stake holders
Proven methods of interventions
Rapport with the community and the clients
Well established administrative system
Develop time specified, area specific, sector specific withdrawal plan
Improve community participation at all levels of the programme including monitoring and evaluation
Empower participation of disabled persons & their families in the project
Encourage maximal use of volunteers from the community
Avoid mid course changes in `vision' & `mission'.

Dr. Maya Thomas & Dr. M J Thomas
J-124, Ushas Apts, 16th Main, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore - 560 011, India
Tel and fax : 91-80-6633762
Email : thomasmaya@hotmail.com

Printed at :
National Printing Press
580, K.R. Garden, Koramangala, Bangalore - 560 095 Tel : 080-5710658

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