Community School Alliances

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USAID

Use of a sustainability index

One of the best indicators of success for a community participation project is the extent to which community participation in targeted issues continues after active outside intervention ends. CSA interventions are designed to be highly sustainable. In order to measure project progress in this area, CSA uses a sustainability index that is linked to the best practice objectives. The sustainability measures are adapted from a USAID study of the literature and research on sustainability.

Sustainability measures include:

participation (participatory involvement and planning)
empowerment (active local decision-making - e.g., SMC/PTA, chief, assemblyman, head teacher)
partnerships (unit committee, District Education Office and other agencies)
transparency (school performance and finances)
resources (use of local/district resources).

Every three months, project facilitators complete a monitoring tool for sustainability for each community. This allows CSA partners to track their progress and make adjustments as necessary.

View Monitoring Tool for Sustainability