A Framework for Community Engagement in the Operation & Maintenance of Infrastructure

This document intends to provide a framework for the utility companies in involving communities in operation and maintenance plans related to water, sanitation and waste.

A framework is a basic conceptual structure to address complex issues, in this case involvement of the community in the maintenance of infrastructure. The framework may help to guide a community approach, but the details of any O&M plans require more technical input and ongoing community dialogue.

An effective Framework for Maintenance of Community Infrastructure needs to be a balance between the software and the hardware, and the community focus means that participatory approaches are critical to success. Based on our previous work with communities in the Maldives under RDP II, Live & Learn is proposing to adapt the six-step community mobilization model as a useful starting point for the framework to move toward an implementation plan for O&M. The six-step approach to community mobilization includes: Plan, Listen & Learn, Discuss & Develop, Adapt & Act, Support, and Evaluate: this would provide useful prompts for the utility company to work with communities.