Change Agent Programme
Change Agent Programme which was initiated to alleviate poverty is a programme that has managed to create a complete transformation in the field of development. The origin of the programme is said to have occurred within Rural Development Training and Research Institute. Particularly this programme is considered to be a social mobilizing strategy intended to empower poverty stricken community through a knowledge transferring process. Concepts and the methodologies of this programme had been used by the development policy makers and development activists for government and non-governmental development programmes over 04 different sections.
A detailed analysis of this matter can be obtained by referring this article.
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Programme on Gender Identity
Rural Development Training and Research Institute is the national institution which deals with rural development sector in Sri Lanka. The institution has created and implemented a number of training programmes for those who are engaged in the field of rural development. Accordingly, there was a need to implement programmes based on the empowerment of women as community of less advantageous section within the society. In taking this aspect into consideration, it was identified that the concept of gender identity which is an important element to be applied in development should be essentially incorporated into the training programmes formulated by the institution.
Accordingly, under the guidance and assistance of Canadian International Development Agency, necessary arrangements were made to implement training programmes with the said concept included into them. Thus, the training programmes were planned in such a manner that the concept of gender identity would be incorporated into the programmes of rural development and poverty alleviation initiated by the institution. It was implemented in two stages. The main objectives of this initiative were to,
- By providing comprehensive knowledge on the subject of gender identity for all the Training and Research Officers of Rural Development Training and Research Institute, to create a group of officers who are conversant in this subject.
- To incorporate the subject of gender identity into the training programmes of Rural Development Training and Research Institute.
- In order to obtain equal contribution from male as well as from female in programmes implemented for the alleviation of poverty, the fact that the importance of the subject of gender identity has been highlighted.
The final objective of this programme was to provide training for a target group about 3000 individuals within a period of two years by the training officers of the institution in a way that the concept of gender identity would be emphasized. A group of trainees comprising Samurdhi Managers, Samurdhi Development Officers, District Samurdhi Assistant Commissioners and Assistant Directors of Planning were the target group in this initiative.
Provincial Rural Development Programme
This programme was implemented by Rural Development Training and Research Institute in collaboration with the Provincial Ministry of Rural Development. This programme was initiated based on the matters emerged following a workshop conducted on the feasibility of implementing Provincial Rural Development Programme in 2007. This programme was initiated as a stepwise programme with the aim of creating knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for the application of participatory development as a strategy for resolving various issues including the alleviation of poverty amongst the rural community. Although, the initial arrangements were made to conduct this programme in 07 provinces, later it was successfully implemented only within Southern and Western provinces.
The programme was named “Grama Shakthi” in Western Province. Several training programmes were conducted for Rural Development Officers in Western Province at Borella and Pilimathalawa centers of Rural Development Training and Research. Accordingly, necessary steps were taken to put this programme into practice in duty activities in their respective divisional secretariats. Thus, the programme was implemented in selected villages of Katana, Gampaha, Aththanagalle, Maharagama, Kirulapona, Padukka, Seethawaka, Rathmalana, Moratuwa, Beruwala, and Dodangoda divisional secretariats through the rural mediators. Initiation of small groups, starting of collective activities, building up of general fund, forming concessionary loan schemes, devising practical programmes, conducting self-employment training and creating self - employment opportunities, building up of combined organizations, and designing of home gardening programmes are some of the activities carried out under this initiative.
Vidatha Programme
A comprehensive programme was prepared by the Rural Development Training and Research Institute together with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research for converting the programme of furnishing training and service facilities necessary for small scale entrepreneurs under the programme of Technology for Village, implemented through Vidatha Resource Centers under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, into a well-established community based programme. The primary objective of this programme was to guide the technical and research officers and field officers towards community based development mechanism by developing knowledge, attitudes and skills within them on the participatory development approach.
This programme was implemented asa pilot programme in Rathnapura District. Accordingly, the identification of existing situation within the field via participation of technical and research officers, identification of the way of involving in it and the associated issues and devising a suitable methodology to divert the services provided by Vidatha Centers towards rural community, are amongst the stipulated objectives. Consequently, the programme was implemented as pilot program within Rathnapura district.