One Ward. One Plan. One Sustainable Development Agenda.
The National Initiative on One Ward One Project is the flagship programme of National Sustainable Development Initiative. It is designed to promote coordinated, participatory and sustainable development at ward level by supporting communities and local stakeholders to identify priority needs, develop practical plans and implement projects that address locally identified challenges.
The programme recognises the ward as an important platform for organising community participation, strengthening accountability, coordinating local development efforts and connecting community priorities with potential partners.
Why the Ward?
Communities experience development challenges locally. A family needing safe drinking water experiences that need within a community. A young person seeking employable skills experiences that challenge locally. A school requiring improvement, a farmer needing livelihood support or a community confronting environmental risks represents a need that can be identified and understood close to where people live.
The One Ward One Project approach creates a practical mechanism for connecting grassroots priorities with organised planning, partnerships and implementation.
Programme Objectives
- Conduct community and ward-level needs assessments.
- Identify and prioritise urgent development challenges.
- Develop participatory ward development plans.
- Implement selected projects based on local priorities.
- Strengthen the capacity of community and ward structures.
- Promote the inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
- Mobilise local and external resources for development.
- Establish transparent monitoring and reporting systems.
- Encourage collaboration among communities, government and development partners.
- Promote sustainable projects that communities can maintain.
What Could a Ward Project Address?
- Rehabilitation of water points
- School improvement and learning support
- Community health outreach
- Skills acquisition and vocational training
- Agricultural and livelihood support
- Women’s economic empowerment
- Youth enterprise and leadership programmes
- Sanitation and environmental initiatives
- Community access infrastructure
- Social protection for vulnerable households
- Digital literacy and information access
- Disaster-risk reduction and climate-resilience activities
How One Ward One Project Works
Step 1 — Community & Ward Assessment
NSDI works with local stakeholders to understand the ward’s communities, available resources, development challenges and priority needs.
Step 2 — Community Consultation
Residents and relevant stakeholders participate in discussions designed to identify and prioritise important development concerns. Special attention is given to the participation of women, young people, persons with disabilities, civil society groups and other stakeholders whose voices may otherwise receive inadequate attention.
Step 3 — Ward Development Planning
Identified needs are translated into a practical development plan that provides a clearer basis for selecting interventions and mobilising support.
Step 4 — Partnership & Resource Mobilisation
NSDI engages government institutions, donors, foundations, private organisations and other development partners to mobilise the technical, institutional and financial resources required.
Step 5 — Project Implementation
Selected projects are implemented in collaboration with communities and relevant institutions.
Step 6 — Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
Progress, expenditure, participation, outputs and outcomes are monitored and documented to strengthen accountability and learning.
Step 7 — Sustainability & Local Ownership
Each project incorporates appropriate sustainability arrangements, local management structures and, where necessary, a transition or handover plan.
Support a Ward
Partners can participate through project funding, co-financing, technical assistance, equipment, professional expertise, capacity building, research or other forms of support.