W H I T E PA P E R

GRASSROOTS
DEVELOPMENT
The added value of multi-community centres

Introduction
The traditional form of development aid, which was introduced at the beginning of the 1960s, has in the
meantime shown that it is incapable of putting an end to inequality in the world. Many of these projects,
which focused on economic development, western values and a top-down approach, were not particularly
successful, and often even an unmitigated disaster.
The alternative development scenario for a number of years has been the bottom-up approach of grassroots development, in which the local population itself takes control and seeks out financial and/or technical
support, mainly from non-government organisations. The primary aim is to improve the quality of life of poor and
deprived populations.
In addition to this primary aim, these projects include a broadly-based agenda of improvements, not just to
income but also to literacy, living conditions and health; they encourage the growth of democratic institutions
and much more. This approach focuses on long-term results, in which the local community is involved and
solutions are sought at local community level, making this a grass-roots development. Government authorities,
non-government organisations and companies are all involved as partners in these development projects.
What is often missing here is multi-disciplinary collaboration. A multi-community centre is able to focus
on this collaboration. It is a ready-made community pitch that makes sports facilities, training and social
development available for local communities. As a sustainable platform for sports and social development, it
can provide important added value to community empowerment.
This white paper explains why grass-roots development is a solution to bring about improvements in slum
districts. It also shows how community empowerment plays an important role in this, and how a multicommunity centre can be used as a means for achieving it.
Date: January 2016

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The challenges of the slums

Currently, more than half the worlds population lives in cities. In total, one in six people live in shanty-towns or
slums, which is more than one billion worldwide, representing a third of all city dwellers. By 2050 their numbers
will have risen to 70% of the world population of seven billion people (Seto & Shephard, 2009). According to
UN Habitat (2008), slums are mainly to be found in the least developed countries, where rapid urban expansion,
without the required development of infrastructure, results in the growth of slums.
Due to a lack of money or a shortage of housing, people are unable to find better homes and are forced to live
in improvised hovels or on the streets. These hovels are often built from construction waste and other debris.
Poverty is seen as the principal reason for people not being able to find a home and for building one in the
slums: they cannot afford the monthly costs or the rent of a normal house. Another reason is a shortage of
housing, which prevents newcomers with lower incomes, often from the countryside, from gaining access to the
social rental market in the city and thus forcing them to live in slums.
2.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF SLUMS
Slums are districts without any planning, in which the demographic pressure is high, resulting in the inhabitants
having to live on top of each other. Housing and sanitary facilities are either inadequate or non-existent, making
these districts unsafe and unhygienic. The inhabitants have neither the means nor the opportunities to improve
the environment in which they live. These districts do not enjoy any political recognition, often leading to a lack
of facilities. Slums suffer from geographic and social marginality. The quality of their social life is characterised
either by great internal cohesion or by criminality and a lack of safety, as a result of the absence of government.
2.2 WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL-INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS?
POVERTY
More than half the world population lives below the poverty line; they have to get by on less than two dollars a
day. The United Nations defines poverty as severe deprivation of basic human needs, including such things as
clean and safe drinking water, food, clothing, shelter and health care. These facilities are considered necessary
in order to lead a decent life.

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FACTS & FIGURES:

POVERTY IN INDIA
India is ranked among those developing countries with a low average income. The Indian
government itself estimated that in the years 2004 and 2005 an average of 27.5% of its
population lived below the poverty line, which at that time amounted to more than three
hundred million people. The difference between poverty in rural areas (28.3%) and that in urban
areas (25.7%) is, relatively speaking, not so great, even though the absolute number of people
living in poverty in rural areas is well over two and a half times as high. Life in urban areas is
also more expensive, which is why the poverty line there is one-and-a-half times higher than it
is in rural areas.
There are great differences in welfare between states, with those around the Ganges and those
lying to the south of it being considered the poorest areas in India. The five poorest states
in 2004 and 2005 were Orissa (46.4% below the poverty line), Bihar (41.4%), Chhattisgarh
(40.9%), Jharkhand (40.3%) and Uttarakhand (39.6%). The north-west, the north-eastern states
and the south have the least poverty. Seven states and three territories have less than fifteen
per cent of their population living below the poverty line.

NO ACCESS TO CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER

Almost 800 million people worldwide have no access to clean drinking water and suffer from disease as a
result of drinking polluted water. Most deaths are among children below the age of five, who die as a result
of diarrhoea. By making clean water accessible, disease and death rates can be reduced. As drinking water
facilities are installed, they must also be well maintained, and the active involvement of the local community is
of great importance here.

LACK OF GOOD NUTRITION

Throughout the world some 800 million people are malnourished, 150 million of whom are children below the
age of five. Malnourishment is caused by a one-sided or inadequate diet, or by illness or a lack of hygiene.
Malnourishment inhibits the mental and social development of young children. Food safety and health are
essential factors in the success of, for example, educational projects. Children should be healthy and not suffer
hunger. The production of local food by, for example, creating school gardens and building and equipping school
canteens offers a solution to this problem. These measures to combat hunger will also increase participation in
education.

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OVERPOPULATION, UNEMPLOYMENT AND LOW WAGES

As a result of rapid urbanisation, increasingly more people worldwide are moving to the cities, which is actually
causing overpopulation. At the same time there is very little employment, resulting in extremely high rates
of unemployment and poverty. Due to the easy availability of workers, the salaries of the fortunate ones who
are able to find work are often low and, in order to survive, everyone in the family has to do their share. This
prevents children from receiving education. And yet people consciously make the move from the countryside to
city slums because they want to raise their familys standard of living, the quality of their own lives and their
income. And it is clear that they are willing to make enormous sacrifices to achieve this. A change from poverty
to greater welfare can be seen in the slums almost everywhere in the world. This slow progress can be speeded
up considerably.

EDUCATION FALLS SHORT

Approximately 40% of the young people who live in slums are illiterate. Education is generally poor and schools
are often not in the area. Many girls often stop attending school because they have to get married young or help
in the house. Boys cannot usually afford vocational training, which means that they do unskilled and badly-paid
work.
By training teachers in better teaching methods and encouraging children to go to school, more youngsters can
learn to read and write. By offering vocational training for girls and boys, they have improved opportunities
on the employment market. At the same time an improvement in literacy can lead to better information being
provided about childrens rights, the importance of education, information about AIDS, as well as about the
importance of good hygiene, proper nutrition, sports and the like.

FAILING PUBLIC HEALTH

Infectious diseases spread rapidly in overpopulated slum areas, and AIDS has been able to develop into an
epidemic. Here living conditions and sanitary facilities are poor, environmental pollution (including rubbish
dumps) is rife and there is often a lack of clean drinking water and of drainage and sewerage systems in these
districts. Formal health authorities also often react too late or inadequately to diseases or epidemics when
they are observed on a national scale. This is an extremely unsafe situation for children, and those under the
age of five are especially vulnerable. Moreover, good medical care is often concentrated in the richer parts of
cities. Slum dwellers usually have access only to free basic medical care. In both the city and the countryside
there is a great shortage of life-saving medical care for mother and baby during childbirth. Improvements in
living conditions and sanitary facilities and the provision of clean drinking water as well as the availability of
sufficient good medical care could substantially improve public health.

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LACK OF SAFETY AND CRIMINALITY

The life of slum dwellers is often unsafe and uncertain. Children in particular suffer under such conditions.
There are estimated to be between thirty and a hundred million children worldwide living on the streets. This
is as the result of poverty, domestic violence, neglect, lack of housing, lack of education or poor educational
achievements, addiction or criminality. This rough estimate also includes children who work on the streets, but
still have links with home. Street children are especially vulnerable to abuse, prostitution and addiction. These
children, as well as young women, are often the victims of human trafficking, forced labour or exploitation.
The lives of these children can be made much safer through the provision of information, protection and, in
particular, the empowerment of street children and youngsters.
A lack of social safety does not, however, apply to all slums. There may well be social control, which can even
prevent bad behaviour, through the fear of gaining a bad name within the community. And in such cases the
living environment is relatively safe there.

INSUFFICIENT SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Children in slums have insufficient opportunity to develop either personally or socially. Their home situation
does not in most cases positively encourage this. Sports and games in particular enable children to develop by
learning social skills, such as cooperation, standing up for yourself and for other people, trusting people and
feeling empathy for others. Moreover, playing sports leads to good physical development of the body, as well as
helping to prevent lifestyle diseases and diseases of affluence, which are occurring ever more frequently in the
slums as a result of the current western diet. The right sports facilities and games programmes can help them
to achieve a great deal in this field.

DISCRIMINATION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS IN SOCIETY

Women and girls, as well as the handicapped and other minorities, often suffer discrimation in slum districts.
For example, there is often a taboo in developing countries about having a child with a disability, and so in
many cases they are hidden away at home by their parents or are neglected. These children and also women do
not get what they have a right to; they live in poverty and usually do not go to school. They are often given no
opportunities and consequently are unable to develop fully. These groups within slums also suffer poor sanitary
facilities. Clean and safe sanitation, on the other hand, contributes to the emancipation and self-esteem of
these vulnerable groups.

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2.2 WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES ARE LACKING?

SANITARY FACILITIES
Only 68% of the world population has hygienic sanitary facilities. In slums there is a great shortage of toilets,
sewerage systems and dewatering. In some cases just a couple of toilets and washing facilities have to be
shared by dozens of people, making them unsafe sanitary facilities. These are often combined with poor
hygienic customs, which are also a source of infection and contamination. Often the inhabitants use small
rivulets or open fields on a large scale to urinate or defecate, leading to the further spread of infectious
diseases.
DRINKING WATER AND IRRIGATION WATER FACILITIES
A facility for safe and clean drinking water is often lacking, which leads to many diseases and deaths. Access
to adequate water for household use is essential for good health and for social dignity, but can also be the key
to earning a basic income independently. Investments in better infrastructure for water management can thus
make a dramatic improvement to living conditions for slum dwellers. However, as a result of the appalling,
dense urban development, it is extremely difficult to build infrastructure there. There is for example no water
available for irrigation, agriculture or for other small informal companies. If there is no small-scale agriculture,
people have no opportunities to grow food on a small scale. With simple infrastructure, better water
management for irrigation could be achieved.
SEWERAGE
Due to their geographical location and poor drainage and dewatering systems, slums are extremely prone to
flooding in the monsoon period. There is usually no closed sewerage system available; the open sewer often
runs through the slums.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Because many slums are illegal, they are not recognised by the government, which then does not build roads or
other infrastructure. Between all the hovels there are unpaved alleyways.

HOUSING
These hovels provide only minimal protection against the elements. They are often made of locally available
materials, which are generally not durable, strong materials. They offer only partial protection against the sun,
wind or rain and cannot withstand tropical storms or flooding, let alone earthquakes. The dwellings are usually
illegal and there are no guarantees of private ownership. Many dwellings are not recognised by the government
and, when land-use plans are revised, they can easily be razed to the ground.

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SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Schools are not usually in the immediate vicinity of slums, and yet in a number of slums you can see, slowly but
surely, that small schools are being started up, often in the middle of the district. These facilities are frequently
far too small for the number of children that need schooling.

ELECTRICITY
There are not usually electricity supplies in the slums. Illegal tapping of electricity occurs here and there, which
can give rise to dangerous situations for the inhabitants. This also means that there is no electricity for lighting,
or for such facilities as telecommunications and computers. As soon as the sun sets, social and economic life
generally comes to a halt.

LIGHTING
In view of the lack of electricity, lighting in houses and on the streets is not generally available. This means
that cooking, reading, home industry, housework and the like all have to be done during daylight. Lighting in
the evening is now only possible through the use of fuel, candles or batteries, which are usually expensive, and
also dangerous and often unhealthy. This lack of lighting also limits the social and economic progress of a slum
community. Roads and railways are dangerous places, and safety is a constant problem. As a result, health care
is also problematic. Shops close early, leading to a reduction in productivity in business and trade, with fewer
jobs being created. There are no sporting activities for young people in the evenings, and so their quality of life
is seriously affected. New developments in, for example, LED lighting would be able to bring about change in
this situation.

WASTE AND POLLUTION

In the densely-populated slums solid and fluid waste are an enormous problem. The lack of sewerage, drainage
and waste disposal has dramatic effects. The local way of dealing with waste, for example by dumping it, was
suitable for organic waste, but not for the newer forms of waste (such as plastic and hazardous household
waste, like batteries). In order to tackle this, it is crucial that somebody feels responsible, feels him- or herself
to be the owner of the problem. Financial self-interest may also motivate inhabitants to tackle the problem of
waste in their slums.

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2.4 IMPROVEMENT OF SLUMS

In view of the problems mentioned above, slums are usually undesirable, but can hardly be prevented.
Moreover, it has been shown that when a government does not oppose the building of slums, the inhabitants
spend more time and money on the construction of their houses. People organise themselves and start to
collaborate, and in this way improvements gradually occur. Streets are paved, for example, and provided with
better drainage; a school is set up and, finally, electricity is also connected. Ultimately, such a slum district can
change into an ordinary residential area.
This early form of grass-roots development can be encouraged or organised, by tackling the above-mentioned
social-infrastructure problems and improving infrastructure facilities. As a result, it is possible to improve the
quality of life in slums and achieve economic progress. If this is to be successful, however, this change has to
come from within the local community: grass-roots development through community empowerment. This means
development focused on long-term results that involve the local community, with solutions being sought at local
community level.

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Community empowerment
In order to successfully tackle the challenges that slums face, the approach to social-infrastructure problems
and/or improvements to infrastructure facilities alone is not sufficient. Experience has taught that it is crucial to
involve the local community, and for this the community needs to be empowered. By community empowerment
is understood making use of and developing the capacities of the local population in the slums to actively shape
their own lives and that of the community of which they are a part, economically, socially, ecologically and
politically. It is a matter of empowering the local community to tackle their own problems.
This development of the capacities of the local community is already happening through the efforts of many
different organisations, which can be divided into four groups. Firstly, the activities that are organised by the
local community itself; a second group relates to the actions of the public sector, the governments agencies; a
third party is non-government organisations; and fourthly, the commercial companies, the private sector.
In this chapter we take a more detailed look at the activities of each of these four groups.
3.1 LOCAL COMMUNITY
The local community itself regularly devises and plans formal projects, with members of the community
seeking financial and technical support for these. These are often small-scale projects, in which language and
conceptual differences make it difficult for a financial or technical supporter a donor agency to understand
their aim and activities. They often do not fit into the bureaucratic system and are not part of a programme,
which results in many applications ending up in the political wastebin.
Instead of formal projects, we more often see that communities or individuals help themselves, by making use
of newly available technologies and materials, for example in the field of agriculture and forestry. These sorts
of innovations and cultural change are a slower and more natural form of development. They can have really
positive results when social and economic conditions are good. See the case study below about reforestation in
India.

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CASE STUDY: GRASS-ROOTS DEVELOPMENT-REFORESTATION IN SOUTHERN INDIA

In late 1984 a letter landed on my desk at the United Nations

By 1985, the fifteen or so Peoples Nurseries were producing a

Environment Programme (UNEP) from a man who works in Karnataka

handsome income, the farmers were moving from mud and thatch huts

state in southern India, named Ben Soans. It was a letter more or less in

into larger brick houses, and around the settlement, the hillsides had half

a stream-of-consciousness style, poorly typed, but brimming over with

a million trees, where previously only a few weeds and erosion gullies

enthusiasm and idealism. It had been passed on to me after travelling

were to be seen. The society was also very near to obtaining official

over several other desks higher up, the occupants not knowing what to do

ownership of the land. Ironically, the only sour note in this brilliant

with it. The letter told of a tree planting project that trained schoolchildren

success story was a hen house that the NGO insisted be built. It was duly

and farmers to set up nurseries. He had an idea for establishing Van

built and a hundred laying hens purchased, against the will of the people

Vigyan Kendras, forest knowledge centres, in which poor people and

and of Mr. Soans. Herekala is about 30 km from Mangalore, up a winding,

schoolchildren could be taught about the environment, the importance

bumpy road and none of the farmers have cars. Mr. Soans brought me into

of trees and shrubs, and receive assistance in establishing Peoples

a large room filled high with neatly packed egg trays. There must have

Nurseries, where all kinds of seedlings would be raised for sale and for

been several thousand eggs. What do we do with these? moaned Mr.

massive tree planting using Labour Brigades. Mr. Soans had already

Soans. We cant sell them.

begun the material, but he needed more money to realise his goal to
Make West Coast the California of India. This was printed at the bottom

UNEP is now helping Mr. Soans realise his dream, and in the little more

of his stationery.

than one year since the project started there are five Van Vigyan Kendras
and 21 Peoples Nurseries. About 3,000 schoolchildren have gone through

My first impulse was to write a polite reply and file it, the bureaucrats

an environmental and tree planting course and they have planted over

way of throwing something away. But the more I thought about it, the

1,000 seedbeds. Several dozen farmers have also received training. In all,

more I saw the potential for a very successful project. It had all the

more than two million seedlings have been produced to, Make West Coast

ingredients: it was grass-roots, involved the local community, produced

the California of India,

environmentally positive results, and people could make money from it.
Mr. Soans won Indias highest environmental award in 1985, and the
I visited the project in March 1985. Mr. Soans took me to his ongoing

whole project for two years costs UNEP well under $50,000. In fact, UNEP

operations near Mangalore, on the west coast of Karnataka, and around

made a short television documentary about the activities of the project to

Kodaikanal in the Western Ghat mountains of Tamil Nadu. I was most

disseminate the concepts upon which the project is founded, in the hope

impressed, particularly with one completed and very successful example

that it will be replicated elsewhere.

of grass-roots development.
Source: www.culturalsurvival.org
In 1976 the Mangalore River flooded and displaced a number of landless
squatters from its banks. Mr. Soans arranged to settle a number of the
families on national forest land in the hills behind Mangalore, and set up
the Herekala Landless Poor and Marginal Farmers Development Society
on 300 acres of land. The forest was gone, however, having been cut
down for fuelwood. Mr. Soans obtained small grants from the government
and Hivos, a Dutch NGO, to help set up tree and shrub nurseries. The
settlers put in water holes and established irrigation systems on a family
basis. Mr. Soans, an expert on tropical plants, taught the farmers how
to propagate and plant a large variety of indigenous and exotic fruit,
fuelwood, small timber, fodder, and ornamental trees and shrubs. He also
helped them sell their seedlings to industry, business and government
for landscaping, to other farmers who wanted to set up orchards and to a
variety of other outlets, including exports to the Middle East.

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3.2 PUBLIC SECTOR

The government attempts to empower local communities by means of legislation and regulations, with the aim
of attracting more attention and/or money for tackling problems in the slums.
THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM GOALS
The millennium goals are focused on eradicating poverty worldwide. These were signed by 189 countries in
the year 2000 and translated into eight concrete goals, which should be achieved by 2015. By establishing
achievement indicators, progress was measured annually, compared with 1990. These eight goals ensured
that government leaders made agreements. These agreements were, it is true, voluntary: there were no legal
consequences linked to not achieving the goals. Another criticism was that the goals were said to be too
ambitious, which might lead to disappointment and cynicism among the public. And a final criticism was that
the goals devoted too little attention to the underlying factors of poverty, such as social inequality, violations of
human rights, the climate crisis, dishonest trading and conflicts. And yet the millennium goals in fifteen years
have brought about considerable improvements in almost all eight parts. It is said to be the most successful
anti-poverty movement in history.

MILLENNIUM GOALS

Source: United Nations

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UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The task of reducing poverty has not yet been completed. More must be achieved in order to stop hunger
in the world, to achieve equality, to improve health care and to ensure that every child goes to school. On
25 September 2015 the United Nations drew up an agenda for long-term sustainable development. These
sustainable development goals, or global goals, thus replace the previous Millennium goals. The 17 recent
ambitious long-term goals are intended to lead to a world free of poverty, hunger and disease by 2030 and to
solutions having been found to problems in the area of water, sanitation, climate and energy. The means to
achieve all this are: peace and safety; sustainable economic development; equality and partnership. These goals
must also be made concrete and measurable in order to ensure actual implementation.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Source: United Nations

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Many governments run programmes to reduce poverty, such as employment programmes, food distribution
systems and rural health programmes for mother and child. In many cases, however, these programmes are
blighted by maladministration and corruption. This can in part be explained by great powerlessness and limited
insight among the poor, who are faced with inequality, oppression, undercapitalisation and large debts. They
lack in general the knowledge, awareness and opportunities to organise themselves and carry out collective
action in order to exert pressure for better facilities and good policy: empowerment of the local community is
missing.
Some countries try to promote the development of deprived neighbourhoods in their country by means of
legislation and regulations. Sometimes a great deal can be achieved through this legislation. One example is
the CSR Act in India, in which Indian social responsibility has passed into law.

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FACTS & FIGURES:

THE CSR ACT, INDIA

Companies with a net going-concern value of US$ 83 million or more,

regulating. CSR includes those business operations that promote poverty

net revenues of US$ 160 million or more, or a net profit of US$ 830,00 or

reduction, education and training, health, environmental management,

more during the three preceding years must, in accordance with the CSR

gender equality and the development of vocational skills. A company

Act, spend 2% of the profit of the past three years on corporate social

can also make contributions to a government fund that is focused on

responsibility. Under the Executive Board of such a company, a CSR

socio-economic development. Here preference must be given to the local

comittee must be established with one independent director. Control of

surroundings in the area where the company is located.

this legislation is rather limited: in the event of non-compliance, no fine is

imposed, but the company will have to indicate in its annual report why it

Source: India Companies Act 2013: Five key Points About Indias CSR

has not done so. Prior to the annual general meeting, the committee will

Mandate by Chhavi Ghuliani

also have to publish a report about its CSR activities in the preceding year.
No fines are imposed, but there is corporate responsibility and that is self-

INTERNATIONAL AND BILATERAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Countries often also have international agreements with donor countries, which result in certain key strategies
being selected. These decisions are made by both the donor countries and the developing countries themselves.
It is becoming increasingly clear, also to donor countries, that a grass-roots approach will produce the greatest
impact in the long term. To achieve this, it is necessary to empower the communities.

3.3 NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS

As a consequence of the lack of infrastructure facilities, many non-government organisations focus their
activities and projects on providing for the needs of slum dwellers. Moreover, through their projects, NGOs are
putting ever greater emphasis on promoting the development of peoples capabilities, and thus empowering the
local community. These aid organisations appear to be indispensable in the daily lives of the slum dwellers.
There are one or more NGOs actively engaged on almost all the different key concerns, as laid out in the
sustainable development goals of the United Nations. The approach varies from a providing approach to an
enabling approach, and all forms in between.
The difference between both extremes of approach can be seen in the case of the bicycle ambulance in Malawi,
set out below. A number of NGOs and their activities are described in the boxes following this.

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FACTS & FIGURES:

THE BICYCLE AMBULANCES IN MALAWI

In Malawi a development organisation had a great idea for improving the

youre alive when being transported. Mary proposed to the development

health situation in the countryside, where villages are frequently isolated

organisation that they should build the bicycle ambulances in that way,

and far from a health post. Pregnant women or patients who need to go

and now they are used everywhere in the region. Mary also discussed

to hospital often have to walk for hours or be transported on the back of a

with the villagers the question of maintenance. An agreement was made

bicycle over dirt roads. The new idea was to use bicycle ambulances. This

that a number of inhabitants would ride the bicycle and take care of its

was what is known as a providing approach. The organisation knew the

maintnenance. Money would also be collected so as to have funds to

poor health situation and thought up a solution. The bicycle ambulances

replace parts, such as tyres, when necessary. This works extremely well.

were brought to the villages, but they were not used. Why not? This was

These are agreements that the people themselves thought up. They are

such a splendid idea in their eyes. But they had asked the inhabitants

the owner of the solution. This is what is known as an enabling approach.

absolutely nothing; the organisation just carried out its own ideas.

When any donations are made for new bicycle ambulances, the regional
inhabitants committee selects those villages that will keep to these

A colleague, Mary, worked in that area and asked the people why they

agreements.

didnt use the bicycle. They said that it looked like a cart that was used
to remove corpses, and consequently nobody wanted to be seen in it.

Source: www.myworld.nl/2014/10/handboek-samenworken-met-local-

She asked them: Do you think an ambulance is a good solution to your

communities

problems? And if so, couldnt we then change the design so that youll be
willing to use it? And yes, they were actually very enthusiastic and the
changes that they suggested were: a rack for a suitcase, the possibility
to sit upright and a parasol because you need these attributes if

FIFA FOOTBALL FOR HOPE

Following on from the 2010 Football World Cup in Africa, FIFA
decided in that year to install twenty synthetic turf pitches in

located in Capetown, Namibia, Rwanda, Congo, Kenya and Mozambique

among other places.

deprived areas of large cities in Africa. The idea behind this

was to create a safe environment for playing games and
sports and to enable children and youngsters to have

Source: Article turfsystems for safe playing conditions and

infrastructure, txtures 2 2015

a better future through football. The pitches were

delivered in containers and their installation was
carried out with the help of local contractors. Part
of this was a small centre with health facilities
and space for activities. In a couple of cases
the container was used as an office or
changing room. This was, admittedly,
not before the original target date,
but still, twenty facilities were
completed in Africa. These are

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THE CRUYFF FOUNDATION: CRUYFF COURTS

The Cruyff Foundation builds Cruyff Courts all over the world. A Cruyff

challenge youngsters to increase their personal ambitions. By

Court is a modern version of the old vacant plot of land where youngsters

binding youngsters long term to the Cruyff Court and the

kick a ball around, which over the years has often been sacrificed for the

district, they create role models. There are now more

sake of urbansation and expansion of the area. The Cruyff Courts have

than 200 Cruyff Courts across the world, and more

now returned this function to the district. Cruyff Courts serve as a meeting

than 180 primary schools with a Schoolplein14

place; a place where themes such as respect for each other, health,

in the Netherlands. In addition, the Foundation

integration, development and playing together have a central role. These

provides financial support for a variety of

themes are shaped by the 14 rules of Johan Cruijff, which can be found on

large and small sports projects and for

every Cruyff Court and Schoolplein14 across the world. Schoolplein14

sports associations with their activities

is a school playground, developed by the Cruyff Foundation, which

for handicapped children.

provides children with a greater challenge to play, using lines and

coloured areas. A Cruyff Court also has a social function: it brings children

Source:

together through the activities that take place on the Cruyff Court. The

www.cruyff-foundation.org

Cruyff Foundation tries to stimulate this by working together with the

neighbourhood, government, corporations, schools, sports and football
clubs and local businesses. Some examples include Cruyff Courts 6
against 6 and the Community Programme. Through this programme the
Johan Cruyff Foundation binds youngsters long term to both the district
and the Cruyff Court. They give youngsters more self-confidence, provide
opportunities for them to discover and develop their talents, and they

FOOTBALL FOR WATER, KNVB WORLD COACHES

In the Football for Water programme, the KNVB (Dutch Football

its success, since the people at these schools will be the ones who are

Association) works together with UNICEF and other organisations to

responsible for the future of both the school and the schoolchildren; in the

provide clean drinking water, toilets and proper hygiene at schools in

long run the school has to be self-supporting.

Kenya, Ghana and Mozambique. The KNVB trains teachers at these

schools to become World Coaches, who will then educate children

Since the start of the programme in 2009, almost 5,000 World Coaches

about matters in daily life through football training for example about

have been trained worldwide. Programmes run in many countries across

the importance of good personal hygiene. Children are, for instance, being

the world, including India, Kenya, Mozambique, Ghana, South Africa,

taught to wash their hands after a training session and before they eat.

Indonesia, the Dutch Antilles and Surinam.

Another example is that the children work together with their teacher to
draw up a schedule for cleaning the toilets. And the female coaches teach

Source: www.worldcoaches.nl

the girls about the importance of menstrual hygiene.

Football For Water tries to improve the living conditions of schoolchildren
at school. In many cases schools do not receive sufficient support from
the government, resources are scarce and the number of children in each
class is high. It is therefore no surprise that the participating schools
are very committed and positive about the programme. This is crucial for

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MAGIC BUS: FROM CHILDHOOD TO LIVELIHOOD

PLAN INDIA; THERES A

PLAN FOR EVERY CHILD

Magic Bus steers children towards a better life, with better awareness, better life skills,
and better opportunities in their journey from childhood to livelihood. Their Activity-

Plan India is an Indian NGO and

Based Curriculum (ABC) is a unique model that uses games to bring about change.

part of Plan International, one of the

Forty sessions a year, each with a lesson, teach children about education, gender,

worlds largest community development

organisations. Plan India is working to

health, and the key issues affecting them. The games excel in building physical,

improve the lives of marginalised children, their

social, and personal skills. Local youth volunteers are trained to be mentors

families and communities through an approach

and role models to other children. They conduct ABC sessions and act

that puts children at the centre of community

as catalysts for community change. The children and youngsters grow

development.

up becoming confident, respected and responsible. The Connect

Programme bridges the gap between possibility and opportunity

For over 35 years, Plan and its partners have been working

through access to training and courses. Nearly all the youngsters

with communities throughout India to break the cycle of

end up pursuing higher studies and/or enrolling in our

poverty, by helping children access their rights to protection,

employability programme. Today the Magic Bus programme

basic education, proper health care, a healthy environment,

is run in ten states, reaching out to 250,000 children in

livelihood opportunities and participation in decisions which affect

India. Their aim was to reach a million by 2015.

their lives. We encourage children to express their views and be actively

involved in improving their communities. Plan India currently works in

Source: www.magicbus.org

13 states in India, across 5,400 communities, and has touched the lives of
millions of children.
Source: www.planindia.org

WORLD VISION INDIA

World Vision India is a Christian humanitarian organisation working to create lasting change in the lives of
children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of
religion, caste, race, ethnicity or gender. Spread across 174 districts in India, World Vision works through long-term,
sustainable community development programmes and immediate disaster relief assistance. Focus is on children. All the
development work World Vision India carries out is focused on building the capacity and ability of communities and families
to ensure the wellbeing of children. The wellbeing of children includes ensuring that they have access to education, health,
protection and participation.
Grass-roots development is the base: World Vision India is an operational organisation involved in relief and development, and it is
community-based. World Vision Indias staff live with communities at grass-roots level, learning from them and working alongside them,
while pursuing the goal of promoting the wellbeing of all children. World Vision partners with communities, children, government, civil
society, corporations, academia, and faith-based organisations to build a nation fit for children.
Source: www.worldvision.in

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MY SHELTER FOUNDATION INDIA: LITER OF LIGHT

The My Shelter Foundation India wishes to be at the forefront of creating
a socially conscious and responsible India for the future. It intends to
educate and leverage a large youth network to spread sustainable
social initiatives in underprivileged communities across India.

source of interior light to rooms in simple dwellings with a thin roof. The
device is simple: it is a transparent 1.5-2 liter plastic bottle, such as those
typically used for carbonated drinks, filled with water plus a little bleach
to inhibit algal growth and fitted through the roof of a house. During
daytime the water inside the bottle refracts sunlight, delivering about as

Every day a greater section of the youngsters wish to give

back to the community and have no clue where to start.
MSFI will help them solve an issue in their community
by employing a technology or social initiative that

much light to the interior as a 40- to 60-watt incandescent bulb. A properly

installed solar bottle can last up to five years. Taking the project a step
further, the founders of MFSI invented a light that would work at night as
well, with the use of a solar PV panel, batteries, and a LED bulb.

has worked elsewhere. MSFI has initiated two

projects, the first and major one being the

Source: www.literoflightindia.org/myshelter-foundation

Liter of Light project.

Liter of Light is a global open-source
movement, which has the aim
of providing an ecologically
sustainable and free-of-cost

VISION RESCUE MUMBAI: STREET CHILDREN

There are currently 300,000 children living on the streets of Mumbai and,

And the Rescue the Underprivileged project aims to reach out

even with all the help provided, it is estimated that only 15,000 of these

to the marginalised sections of the community and empower

children receive any kind of attention or care. Vision Rescue is a registered

them economically, by helping to form self-help groups and

non-profit charity involved in feeding, providing non-formal education,

providing skills training.

medical help, skills training and other kinds of assistance to addicted and
abused street children. Their vision statement is: Empower people to find

Source: www.visionrescue.org.in

their purpose, enjoy their rights and live with dignity.

Besides Rescue the kids they also have other projects, such as Rescue
the Trafficked and the Addicted. This project primarily reaches out to
the abused, both men and women, who are trafficked and living a life
of substance abuse. The outreach teams make frequent visits to offer
counselling, love and hope. The Rescue the Sick project aims to provide
free health services to the poor and needy, where access to public health
services is not possible, due to high costs and poor standards. This project
networks with other like-minded groups working within the health sector.

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3.4 PRIVATE SECTOR

Companies are becoming increasingly more engaged in social projects. Many companies have included
corporate social responsibility in their mission. In particular, companies in developing countries often see the
moral task of doing something in return for the society or the country in which they as a company are based.
A growing number of multinationals support the global goals of the United Nations and endeavour to bring
products to market that focus on sustainability, and also fundamentally change their way of doing business.
They take responsibiity for the impact that their company makes. Despite their aim to increase the size of the
company, they atttempt to reduce their environmental footprint and to increase their positive social impact.
Companies also know that higher economic and commercial returns can be achieved when all countries
have been provided with improved infrastructure, a healthy, well-educated workforce and systems for better
mangement of resources. As Unilever CEO Paul Polman says: There is no business case for persistent poverty.
ISO regulations and legislation, like the CSR Act in India, also appeal to companies to assume their social
responsibility. Anandana (see box below) is a clear example of this.
The projects described below are just a few examples of companies that aim to support and empower the local
community with their projects.

COCA-COLA INDIA FOUNDATION: ANANDANA

The Coca-Cola India Foundation is a company registered under Section

will be provided to NGOs, beneficiary organisations, cooperatives,

25 of the Companies Act, which is committed to sustainable

philanthropists and any others who could be suitable partners in

development and inclusive growth by focusing on issues

relating to water, the environment, healthy living and social
advancement, so that it can contribute to a strong and
resolute India, enabling the common man or woman to
better his or her life.

implementing projects for social welfare across India.

The Foundation seeks to ensure project execution, maintenance
and sustainability through the active involvement and direct
participation of the beneficiary community at grass-roots level.
Various water sustainability projects and solar lighting and
energy projects have been completed.

In order to promote the Foundations goals,

monetary grants and other assistance

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PHILIPS: COMMUNITY LIGHT CENTRES (CLCS)

The Community Light Centres of Philips are areas of 1,000 m2 that are
lit by the latest solar-powered LED lighting technology. The aim

is to enable social and economic development to take place in

lanterns, phone charging, photocopying services and from renting out

communities that lack electricity.

A day that previously ended at 7pm has now suddenly

the pitch for training by those from outside the community;

been extended by many hours, increasing productivity,

entrepreneurship and social activity. A Study on Kenyan

Increased social activities in the evening. Community members are

able to play football, hockey and even aerobics late into the evening

that this light centre has made a great positive

surrounding villages. This includes:

Improved security in the area, since the lights illuminate a large

area;

Community Light Centres Mathare in Nairobi shows

impact on the community and even on the

Increased incomes from the barbers shop, the sale of Philips

- up to 10pm;

Some students are also able to study under the lights at night;

The Community Light Centres are constructed in such a way that the
area lights beautiful at night. Before the end of 2015 Philips wanted
to install 100 light centres in Africa.

Source: www.communitylightcenters.philips.com

UNILEVER: WATERWORKS PROGRAMME

The Unilever Foundation works together with five leading global

keep you abreast of what is being done with your donation. Waterworkers

organisations: Oxfam, Population Services International (PSI), Save the

are women who play a significant role within their community and who

Children, UNICEF and the World Food Programme. It is the Foundations

are trained by PSI to tell others about the importance of clean drinking

mission to enhance the quality of life by providing hygiene, sanitation,

water. They then share this knowledge with their family and friends and

access to clean drinking water and basic food, and by increasing self-

ensure the distribution of Pureit water purifiers and sachets. Women who

confidence.

become Waterworkers in this way earn not only a basic income, but they
are also given training in communication skills; they learn about important

WaterWorks is one of their non-profit initiatives that aims to provide

local health issues and get access to clean water for their own families.

access to clean and safe drinking water to communities worldwide that

The Unilever Foundation indicates through this project that achieving the

do not as yet have this. Through the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan,

global goals is not just a task for companies and politicians. Everyone can

Unilever has committed itself to provide more than 500 million people

and should make their own contribution is what they believe. Social media

with safe drinking water by 2020. The programme, which works on the

are a great way to do this. USLP started this pilot in 2012 in India and, as

basis of a special Timeline application and was developed together with

a result, in just one year 75,000 people in 50 villages and 25 slums have

Facebook and PSI, puts people who want to provide direct help in contact

gained access to safe, clean drinking water. Following this achievement,

with people and communities who need help. With just a single click

WaterWorks has expanded further both within India and worldwide.

of the mouse they can become the partner of such a community and, by
making a small donation each day, they can help to give people in that

Source: http://www.unilever.com

community access to clean water. In addition to this daily donation, they

can become a partner of a Waterworker who has been trained by PSI, who

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3.5 WORKING TOGETHER FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

In all the above-mentioned projects endeavours are being made to empower the local community so that
slum dwellers can tackle their own problems. However, all these projects would be much more effective in
empowering the community if the public sector, the NGOs, the private sector and the local community were
all to work together closely. A multi-community centre can serve as a platform on which literally all parties
can function and thus achieve the so badly-needed effects in the area of empowerment. In the next chapter
consideration is given to these effects and the synergistic effect that a multi-community centre can produce.

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Multi-community centre as an
overall solution
In the previous chapter it became clear that intensive collaboration between the public sector, the NGOs, the
private sector and the local community is essential in order to effectively empower the local community. This
chapter considers the multi-community centre as a platform on which all these parties can act cooperatively.
First of all, it looks at the possible functionalities of a multi-community centre. Then it discusses the boost that
the different functions can give to various areas in the local community. Finally, it touches on the synergistic
effect that can be achieved by a multi-community centre.
4.1 A PLATFORM FOR ALL PARTIES
Many of the projects which are intended to empower the local community can be carried out at a multicommunity centre. This is a platform with many functionalities, which offers opportunities to all parties to carry
out their projects and programmes there.
First of all, a multi-community centre consists of a pitch or a square that is suitable for playing games and
sports. It is also a place for the community to get together: a sort of village square. A variety of functionalities
can be added to the basic pitch. For example:
pitch lighting for use 24/7;
roof for UV protection;
community buildings for education and information purposes;
water storage and water filtration for reuse, irrigation or treated drinking water;
security fencing.
4.2 GROUNDBREAKING BOOST TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
A multi-community centre can give a tremendous boost to the development of a local community. Thanks to the
wide range of functions that the centre provides, impressive progress can be made in the following areas.
SPORTS AND GAMES
Depending on its surface, the pitch can be used for a variety of sports and games. It provides a safe
environment for children, as well as for adults and the elderly, in which to play games and sports and to take
exercise. This is not only good for their physical development, but for their mental development too. In this
way children and adults learn to get on with each other and to cope with loss and disappointment: learning to
persevere or to give ones all. However, they also learn the joy of winning and achieving things together. Sports
can strengthen people and empower the community.

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COMMUNITY
The multi-community centre can become an important place for the community to get together. It can promote
social cohesion in the community by organising group activities and taking joint responsibility for the centre.
This social aspect in which a real community is formed is important in bringing about change that arises
from within the community and in finding solutions at local community level. And that is when we really have
grass-roots development.
HEALTH
By installing water storage and water filtration under the pitch, clean drinking water can be obtained that will
help prevent many diseases. As a result of globalisation, people throughout the world are increasingly eating
a western diet, which can cause welfare diseases like overweight and obesity. Diet and exercise, combined
with relevant information, can help combat this. The production of local food, for example, by encouraging
local agriculture through the collection of irrigation water, can improve the diet. By getting more exercise in the
playground or on the sports pitch people become healthier both physically and mentally. Moreover, the provision
of information in the centre on sanitation, personal hygiene and diet can have a positive effect on the health of
the people of the community.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The installation of a variety of facilities around the multi-community centre creates better infrastructure. The
fact that there is lighting around the pitch results not only in the community being able to play sports for longer,
but also in activities relating to education and information taking place around the pitch in the evening. It also
stimulates, for example, commercial activity. This has a positive effect on the social and economic progress of
a slum district. A water facility for drinking water, as well as for irrigation of the land, produces new economic
activity in small-scale agriculture and horticulture. The building of roads and a drainage system that are easy
to install around the community centre can lead to the transfer of knowledge and skills. In this way the local
population is encouraged to take the initiative themselves to obtain better facilities in the rest of the district.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The pitch and the community building, both of which have lighting, are suitable places for countless activities.
Educational programmes offer education on sanitation, computer lessons, information on social matters, on
health care, the HIV/AIDS problem, coaching and training, social skills and very many other subjects to which
current programmes offered, for example, by NGOs already devote attention to empowering people. With
the help of a network of local and international NGOs, opportunities are infinite and can easily be geared to
local needs. The fencing and/or the walls of the community building can also serve as panels to display basic
information on, for example, personal hygiene or rules for behaviour after playing sports.

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FUNDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

While the multi-community centre is being built, encouragement can be given to tackling the problem of
waste in slum districts, by making use of end-of-life plastic and end-of-life rubber. Collecting and then reusing
these materials can be made financially attractive to the community, which also has a positive effect on the
environment.

EMPOWERMENT OF SOCIETY
The building of multi-community centres empowers the local population, resulting in true grass-roots
development, which enables slums to change gradually into normal residential districts. Consequently, the
whole of society is empowered and can develop further.

WATER MANAGEMENT
By ensuring good collection and ample storage of rainwater under the pitch, this can be used and reused for
the irrigation of agricultural land and numerous other purposes, such as in sanitary facilities. The addition of
a filtration system enables it to produce clean drinking water without any risk to health. And in this way it can
become a system for ecological water management, from which the entire community can benefit.

WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOCAL SUPPLIERS OF BUILDING MATERIALS

Local partners can be involved in the construction of the multi-community centre. This produces local demand
and employment, and thus gives a boost to the local economy. Moreover, it also enriches the knowledge of the
local suppliers and creates local employment and training opportunities. Under the leadership of an outside
expert, this knowledge and expertise can be transferred to the local installers who are involved in the building
of the centre.

COLLABORATION IN THE SERVICE SECTOR

Once the centre has been built, it will have to be run by the community, in collaboration with service providers,
for example, in providing supervision, maintenance and management, as well as training and coaching. How do
you empower the community to do this? Development programmes can be both effective and necessary here,
and they offer many opportunities to achieve a true grass-roots development of the district.

LOCAL ECONOMY
The multi-community centre can give a positive boost to the local economy. This can be achieved, on the one
hand, through the creation of jobs that are directly connected to the centre. Examples of these are jobs relate
to supervision, maintenance and management. On the other hand, jobs become available through the activities

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that take place on the pitch or in the community building. These may include employment being created for
coaches, trainers, teachers, social workers and people in health care. Finally, employment is also created as
a spin-off from the facilities at the centre: for example, the availability of irrigation water enables jobs to be
created in small-scale agriculture. Once there is lighting around the centre, opportunities occur for various
small-scale forms of cottage industry, for a small-scale service industry, such as barbers, and for local markets.
The economic activity then continues to evolve.

EMPOWERING PEOPLE
By building the multi-community centre truly locally, with the help of local people and companies, you fully
empower the community with knowledge and expertise. The information and education programmes that take
place in the centre can also make a substantial contribution to the emancipation and self-esteem of vulnerable
groups in society, like children, women, girls, the handicapped and other minorities.
4.3 SYNERGISTIC EFFECT
Each of the developments described in the above section are important for empowering the community. Each
development in its own right produces a positive effect on it. However, if all these developments take place in
a multi-community centre, this will create a synergistic effect. You then see that the sum of all these effects is
greater than each one separately. This joint platform produces developments that focus on the long term, in
which the local community is involved and solutions are sought at local community level. Public, private and
non-governement organisations will have to facilitate this platform jointly, for only then can grass-roots
development arise from within the local community that will fundamentally improve the quality of life in the

Local economy
Education and training

Empowering people

Sports and games

Community
society

Health

Sports and games

slums. This will then truly break new ground.

Health Infrastructure
Education and training
Empowering people
Sports and games

Local economy

Water management Infrastructure

Collaboration in the service sector

Empowerment of society

Health

Education and training

Sports and games

Funding

Empowering people

people

of environmental management

Education and training

Community

Health

Sports and games

Infrastructure

Health

Education and training

Empowering people Sports

and games

Local economy

Water management Infrastructure

Health

Funding

tion in the service sector

Empowerment of society

Empowering people

Empowering people

of environmental management

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Roadmap to an integrated modular

multi-community centre
The reasons why people opt for a multi-community centre have already been explained in the preceding
chapters of this white paper. This chapter takes a closer look at the actual choice of a multi-community centre.
In the first place, it considers the question of where this centre can be erected. Then it examines the matter of
what exactly the multi-community centre should include, and which parties can play a role in building it. Finally,
the question of when the best time is to start work on a multi-community centre is discussed. In each case there
is an indication in the margin of what the impact of this decision will be in the light of the 17 Global Goals for
sustainable development drawn up by the United Nations.
5.1 WHERE CAN A MULTI-COMMUNITY CENTRE BE USED?
Wherever there is a need to improve the quality of life in deprived districts or slums it might make sense to
begin with a multi-community centre. This is certainly the case if the aim is to bring about a real change within
the local community, with solutions being sought at local level. The required space for the pitch at the multicommunity centre measures no more than 40 x 20 metres on flat ground. Some types of pitches need be dug out
no more than just 10 cm.
In places where there are many organisations engaged in aid and development programmes focused on the
local community, a multi-community centre is an extremely suitable community platform on which to conduct
these programmes.
The UN Global Goals: quality education, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities
5.2 WHAT DOES A MULTI-COMMUNITY CENTRE COMPRISE?
A multi-community centre consists of various modules, for each of which choices will have to be made,
depending on the desired functionality and the budget available.
WHAT TYPE OF SPORTS PITCH?
The type of pitch depends in the first instance on what surface is selected to play games and sports on.
Broadly speaking, the choice is between an unmetalled pitch, a metalled surface, for example, asphalt or
concrete, a sand surface, or a natural grass or synthetic turf pitch. The choice depends on the different sports
and games that are to be played on the pitch. If the pitch is intended only to provide a safe playground, then an
unmetalled or asphalted pitch, for example, would be satisfactory. The costs of asphalting will in part determine
the decision whether or not to metal the surface. However, the costs of using and maintaining the pitch, as well
as its service life must also be taken into account when making this decision.

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As soon as the decision is taken to go for sports that will promote the players sporting and physical
development, it will not be long before the choice falls on a grass pitch. Due to the climate and limited scope
for irrigation, countries around the equator will often select a synthetic turf pitch. Nowadays synthetic turf
pitches have been developed to such an extent that they rival a natural grass pitch in terms of functionalities or
even outperform it. With a good synthetic turf pitch, based on high-quality fibres and a sound surface, a sports
system can now be installed that will continue to function at that level. Innovative synthetic turf systems now
have a sport-technical underlayer that need only be 5.5 centimetres thick and yet will ensure optimal stability
and playing characteristics.
These systems are mostly technically durable and consistent. In other words, they are safe for playing sports
on in terms of shock absorption and the type of turf fibres, and are better for joints and muscles. The materials
are eco-friendly, reusable or recyclable, even when the pitch has to be dismantled after a great many years.
Installation and maintenance costs also play a major role in the choice of a synthetic turf pitch. From an
aesthetic viewpoint, synthetic turf could be selected in which the green colour of the turf has an attractive and
natural appearance, thus creating a pleasant atmosphere in which to be able to enjoy sports and games on the
pitch.
The UN Global Goals: good health, innovation and infrastructure, protect the planet

CHOICE OF COMMUNITY BUILDING

The choice of a community building will depend on the functionality required of a place where people can come
together and on the accommodation that is to be provided for various social activities. Sometimes this module
is necessary in view of the variety of current or future aid programmes, including educational programmes. The
type of building chosen, its size and the facilities it will have, such as air conditioning, will be determined by
these programmes, the regional climate as well as the costs that will be incurred.
The UN Global Goals: quality education, gender equality, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and
communities

CHOICE OF A WATER STORAGE AND WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM

By opting for a water storage system under the pitch, the rainwater that falls on the pitch can be drained off
and, if so wished, be filtered for use as drinking water. This can also be achieved without the installation of
pumps. It may be in the form of a self-supporting system, which can be used for watering agricultural land and
for numerous other purposes involving water. Innovative systems now use recycled material for the permeable
underlayer beneath the synthetic turf pitch, which contributes to a local reduction in plastic waste. Depending

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on the desired or existing need for the irrigation of agricultural land and for sanitary facitilies, this type of water
storage system may or may not be chosen. For this module too installation and maintenance costs will be a
contributory factor in the decision.
The UN Global Goals: no hunger, good health, clean water and sanitation, good jobs and economic growth,
innovation and infra structure, responsible consumption, protect the planet
CHOICE OF PITCH LIGHTING
The choice of pitch lighting depends on the need for and desirability of using the multi-community centre more
intensively by installing artificial light. This will depend on the aid programmes of NGOs, or the creation of or
the need for economic activity during the evening or night. Now it is also possible to opt for a sustainable LED
system and solar collectors as a form of artificial lighting. This new LED lighting technology will even work off a
small, low-wattage power supply. A simple local power supply or a source of electricity that is self-supporting
is already sufficient. This can even be obtained by generating electricity manually or for example by using a
bicycle.
The UN Global Goals: quality and education, clean energy, good jobs and economic growth, innovation and
infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities
CHOICE OF A ROOF
A roof for the the pitch will be chosen if a place to shelter against torrential rain and blazing sunshine is
needed. This will considerably increase the usability of the pitch. The choice of material for the roof, such
as plastic, aluminium, wood or textile, will mainly be determined by the costs of the various materials. The
characteristics of these materials, such as as their strength, durability, colour-fastness, as well as the extent to
which they are dirt and sun resistant and water repellant, will also be determining factors in this choice. Finally,
the logistics and costs of construction will also have to be included in the decision.
The UN Global Goals: good health, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities
CHOICE OF FENCING
Fencing can be chosen to enclose the accommodation and to provide security. This fencing can be fitted with
different sorts of panels, although a mesh wire grid or outdoor fabric can also be used for this purpose. The
fencing can also serve as sponsor billboarding. Displaying the name of a donor organisation can deliver an
additional source of funding. Costs, functionality and sustainability may also be contributory factors in this
decision.
The UN Global Goals: good jobs and economic growth, peace and justice

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5.3 WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED?

Collaboration is crucial in the creation of a multi-community centre. The same applies to collaboration with local
communities, national, regional and local authorities, with non-government organisations, with partners from
business and industry and with suppliers of the multi-community centre, or parts of it.
The UN Global Goals: partnership for the goals

LOCAL COMMUNITY
The involvement of the local community is vital from the very start. The involvement of local partners and
workers is essential as soon as installation of the multi-community centre begins, to ensure that this is truly
a grass-roots development. This will also immediately result in local employment and acceptance by the local
community. Thanks to innovative technologies, pitches have now been developed that are easy to install,
where one or two technicians can ensure that the know-how is passed on to local parties. The involvement of
the local population is greatly increased by making use of local partners and workers, and involvement of the
local community is needed for the running of the multi-community centre after it has been installed. Take as
an example the supervision, maintenance and management of the centre. The same applies to coaching and
training opportunities. This involvement, in turn, has a positive effect on the continuity and coherence of the
multi-community centre.
The UN Global goals: no poverty, quality education, good jobs and economic growth, innovation and
infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities

NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES

The inclusion of national, regional or local authorities in the creation of a multi-community centre is necessary
for making land available and providing the required legal consent, such as permits and changes to land-use
plans. These authorities determine whether and where there is a need for public spaces that are accessible to
all. In collaboration with private parties Privately Owned Public Spaces (pops) were developed. Multi-community
centres are ideally suited to be pops where, in their most comprehensive form, they can also be used for grassroots development.
The UN Global goals: sustainable cities and communities, partnership for the goals

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NGOs
Non-governement organisations play a major role in projects around the multi-community centre. Their
contribution is indispensable, since they possess specific know-how. They are well-informed about the specific
situations and the characteristics of local communities; they have expertise in setting up and supervising
programmes and can make teaching and other materials available. The involvement of NGOs in establishing a
multi-community centre is therefore essential.
The UN Global goals: good health, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, reduces inequalities, peace
and justice, partnership for the goals

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

As part of their social commitment and responsibility, companies can make money available for the creation
of a multi-community centre. This applies especially to companies that have an affinity with sport, social
development or health care. In some countries, such as India, government has established a statutory minimum
percentage of profit that companies have to spend on corporate social responsibility (CSR) each year. A multicommunity centre provides the companies with a specific means to implement their CSR policy. By setting up
pops, companies provide safe and clean places to spend leisure time. And by financing larger pops a complete
multi-community centre companies can move a step further up the United Nations global goals ladder,
towards grass-roots development.
The UN Global goals: no poverty, innovation and infrastructure, partnership for the goals

SUPPLIERS
Sports pitches or community pitches will be marketed by various suppliers, either as separate parts or as a total
concept, possibly in combination with other commercial parties. The costs, ranging from a simple sports pitch to
a comprehensive multi-community centre, vary from several tens of thousands of euros to over one hundred and
fifty thousand euros.

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5.4 WHEN TO START?

A multi-community centre meets the current global demand for grass-roots development scenarios in order
to achieve the goals that are aimed at sustainable long-term development. These goals were drawn up by
the United Nations as UN Global Goals on 25 September 2015 and are intended to make the world free from
poverty, hunger and disease and to find solutions to problems relating to water, sanitation, climate and energy
by 2030. Work can now begin on giving this substance and on implementing these goals by setting up a multicommunity centre and getting it running.

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W H I T E PA P E R

GRASSROOTS
DEVELOPMENT
The added value of multi-community centres