Improving Habitat for Children: a Handbook for Program Decisions

THIS HANDBOOK REDEFINES Plan International's aims and objectives in a “child-centred” approach to their habitat programmes. The Introduction gives a background to Plan's approach and strategy in the Habitat of the Child Programme, and the historical formulation of those objectives. The first section outlines ten steps in the general framework of Plan's strategies and programmes, with the acknowledgement that programme details and specifics should be defined by the individual programme units in each country office. Step 1 initiates the framework by conducting a comprehensive habitat assessment. Procedure and issues are discussed and guidelines are given relating to communication and prioritization of goals. Key lessons from Plan's recent habitat assessments are also given. Step 2 concerns an analysis of the information gathered, and the methods to be utilized in the identification of priorities and problems. Step 3 is about selecting the most appropriate strategic focus from the broad variety of data gathered and analyzed concerning issues and capacities. Step 4 involves defining the selected problem, defining the scope and components of the programme, and targeting specific components. Step 5 discusses the selection of appropriate interventions, the identification of key constraints, and the definition of the NGO role. Step 6 focuses on the need to specify the precise target population, the scale of the programme, the appropriate levels of planning and the input and resource requirements. Step 7 moves to a need for a time framework with clear programme phases. Step 8 discusses how having selected intervention, scale and programme phases, pragmatic choices about project methods are needed, involving the selection of standards and technologies. Step 9 discusses the definition of programme monitoring and evaluation practices, whilst programme sustainability, in terms of community organizational capacity and access to resources, are explored in Step 10.

The next section, Guidelines, addresses some lessons and recommendations specifically relating to particular types of habitat activities. Core issues, such as security of land tenure, quality of domestic space, access to affordable financial and material resources, effective management and protection of natural resources, prevention of degradation of the natural environment, access to basic services and facilities, and capacity to respond to or mitigate dangers posed by hazards, pollutants and disasters are explored. The conclusion explains why the formulation of alternative strategies in programmes has been necessary, and identifies Plan's needs for internal technical capacity as well as their overall aims and objectives as an organization. The appendices give a learning site assessment outline, with a discussion of methodologies and lessons learnt, as well as further sources of habitat information.