Preparation of the Rural Development Project

The overall objective of the Rural Development Project (RDP) was to improve the security and level of livelihoods of rural people in post-conflict Solomon Islands, through increased participation of rural communities in sustainable economic development, enhanced local governance and improved access to priority rural services and infrastructure, identified in a participatory manner.

Preparation of this project linking relief, rehabilitation and development, involved the following:

• Design and preparation of full project implementation activities relating to:
  - promotion of participatory planning and accountability at the local level, restoring linkages between provinces and communities,

  
  - provision of performance-based block grants to provincial governments for investments in rural infrastructure and services,

  
  - strengthening services and infrastructure delivery in rural areas,

  
  - development of village development mechanisms to meet community needs,

  
  - building capacity of local-level public administration, civil society and private sector agricultural institutions in planning, financial management and service delivery;



• Design of the overall program coordination and management procedures and processes, including for procurement and financial management;


• Monitoring and Evaluation guidelines for project implementation phase;


• Design and delivery of project implementation manual (PIM) and procurement guidelines.

1. Increased capacity of the government to provide services and infrastructure in rural areas, in partnership with private and non-governmental service providers, through participatory planning;


2. Increased capacity of both public and private service providers in rural areas;


3. Improved access to economic services and infrastructure for villagers and rural communities;


4. Adoption and dissemination of innovation (new technologies, marketing practices, etc.);


5. Strengthened institutional framework to support agricultural development.