Role of grassroots community organizations (GRCO) in poverty alleviation: evidence from the community empowerment interventions in Haripur district.

This study conducted in Haripur district during year 2009 and, the objectives of this research were to analyze the grassroots community organization’s process and its role in the empowerment of stakeholders. The study investigated the impact of community participation on decision-making, household incomes, poverty alleviation and overall empowerment initiatives. A large number of local, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are investing their efforts in community organization and human resource development activities in this district. Data collection was completed with (120) respondents selected through random sample technique from the list of (718) registered members of the grassroots community organizations (GRCOs) in the selected fifteen villages. Through a set of questionnaires, interviews completed with respondents to collect data and information on the study objectives. Outcome of the study reveals that majority of the GRCOs in the district organized by SUNGI Foundation (a local NGO) and Sarhad Rural Support Program (a provincial NGO). About 93% of the respondents feel that grassroots social mobilization and organizational activities carried out by NGOs have empowered the stakeholders. While (80%) of the registered members of these GRCOs practice modern agricultural technologies in crop production activities and they ascertained that their knowledge and skills have been enhanced. The GRCOs could manage the demand of 67% members for improved fruit plants, vegetable seeds and fertilizers in their respective villages and provided technical assistance in different income generation activities. Respondents informed that because of these GRCOs crop and forest areas have substantially increased that lead to increase in the annual household incomes. This increase in the household income helped alleviate poverty. Respondents feel that the study villages still face problems in the timely supply of irrigation water, agricultural inputs, marketing of agricultural produces and human capacity building and development.