Evalauation Report on Santal Development Project (SDP)

Background

The Santal communities living in the Bangladesh are one of the most disadvantaged, vulnerable and socio-economically poor and are the victims of severe exploitation and injustice. They are dominated and discriminated by the local majority communities: businessmen, mahajons or landlords. Poverty, landlessness, illiteracy and exploitation are their daily associates. Land grabbing, threats, evictions and killings have marginalized them to such an extent that there existence in Bangladesh is currently at stake. They do not have access to decision-making bodies and don't get justice. The Santals do not have cognizable access to education and income generation activities. They have a very long history of engaging in farming, but at present overwhelming majority of them do not have their own land. They have now become day labourers in their own land. Some of them work as internally migrant labourers and often face harassment and discrimination. In most cases, they cannot meet their basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, education and health facilities. Thus they become one of the poorest and the most vulnerable section of the population.

The BNELC DF has worked among the santals for many years, but found that the santals did not avail or benefit from the project activities as other community groups did. It was therefore conducted a study in 2004 called: "Providing Opportunities for Building better lives: Santal Community as Partner for Development (Study report on: Six Santal Villages in North Bengal)". The Project Document of SDP is based on recommendations in the Pre Study report.

Purpose/objective

The Santal Development Project (SDP) is a three year pilot project for the Santal minority group in North-West Bangladesh. The project is executed by BNELC Development Foundation (DF), and has support from BN/Norad for the period 2005 -2007.

The activities are proposed to be continued as an integrated part of the new program of BNELC-DF from 2008 called Integrated Program for Community Capacity Building (ICCB). We therefore want to learn from the experience of SDP in order to adjust the profile of ICCB if necessary.

Methodology

Four upazilas - Ghoraghat and Phulbari of Dinajpur & Gobindagonj upazila of Gaibanda and sadar upazila of Chapai Nababgang districts were selected for implementation of development project (SDP). Based on the intensity of implementation the evaluation team examined two upazilas and occasionally referred to other areas. The evaluation team was formed and assigned by the BNELC-DF in consultation with the country representative of the donor agency.

Key findings

The project profile is very relevant for the target group. 67 % of those who got trade training are engaged in local economy. 49,7 acre of land was recovered for 106 adivasi families. But the fare is that they will again mortgage their land.

Recommendations

Local leaders should be more involved in the planning and execution. The project period need to be extended in order to sustain the activities. Education materials for adivasi should be developed. Loan should be followed up closer and with proper formats. Accounts should be more closely monitored by project leader for better transparency.