Community Action Program (CAP2)

“Empowering communities through building capacity and strengthening community ownership”

The Community Action Program (CAP 2) was a partnership between VSHC and the Fiji Community Development Program (FCDP), funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Commencing in September 2015, this project was an innovative approach to working with the community.

The aim of this project was to –

1. Build the capacity of Community Service Organisations (CSOs) in Fiji to be able to engage more effectively and in a participatory way at the community level.
2. Work with communities to assist them in identifying their development needs and develop community development plans (CDPs) so that communities can better articulate the services and support that they need to mitigate hardship in their communities.

Four communities were selected – Lauwaki Village, Lauwaki Settlement, Lomolomo Village and Lomolomo Settlement. Once equipped with the CDPs, the communities were able to advocate on their own behalf, lobbying for development to government and other stakeholders. The skills and approach promoted through CAP2 can continue to benefit communities regardless of donor funding availability, and enhance the organisational sustainability of partners.
The enhanced capacity of VSHC through the training of project staff, has imparted learning that can be sustained and passed on.