Post-Pandemic Livelihoods Recovery Project (E-CARE)

“The devastation caused by the pandemic now calls for a recovery program to bring the partner communities not only to pre-pandemic levels but to a qualitatively better state”, writes AID’s partner, E-CARE about their new three-year project.

AID (and ABM) have been partnering with E-CARE since the mid-1990s and during that time we have engaged in much mutual learning. E-CARE is strongly focussed on sustainability, and has developed a “Receivers to Givers” approach which enables funds for community projects to be recycled to increasing numbers of community groups. Once a group has finished with the funding provided by E-CARE, they are encouraged to gift the funds to another group starting out.

E-CARE has also been focussing on its own self-reliance as an organisation – providing a great model for community self-reliance – and hopes to achieve this in the next few years.

This phase of the project will enable communities to be more sustainable, resilient and climate-responsive.

E-CARE will train 15 community organizations (comprising 1,555 people) to ensure that their group strategic plans are on track and their day-to-day operations are effective, prior to transitioning to the Receivers to Givers program.

Last year, this project supported 250 people from 24 communities to develop their long-term community Strategic Plans via a series of five-day workshops. They also learned about Enterprise Development and Growth, Advanced Finance Management, including Cash Flow Projections and Profit and Loss Statements. This training has already enabled those communities to increase their household incomes during a time of economic stress. Other trainings were held in environmental stewardship, human rights, peace and justice, child rights and the rights of Persons with Disabilities. With a target of having 50% of community leadership roles held by women, gender equality sensitisations have also been a focus of the project.

This latter part of the project will see three community-based solar powered water pumps installed for irrigation and/or domestic use by community members.

Your gift will contribute to building 15 more sustainable rural communities in the Philippines.

Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding from the Australian Government to reach more people. We have committed to contribute $1 for every $5 we receive from the Australian Government. Your donation will allow us to extend our program.