Books Chapters

The Chapter on 10 on “Critical Review of the Self-Help Group Model for Managing Fecal Sludge Management Services: Implications For Accountability” draws on the framework presented in the The World Bank’s World Development Report 2004 in a particular case in Dhenkanal in the state of Odisha to discuss both the pros and cons of engaging community-based organizations such as self-help groups for urban service delivery and in upholding accountability. The analysis finds that while the engagement of community groups as service providers carries employment benefits and also present a potential alternative for service provision in contexts where both public and private sector capacities are weak, this approach may also undermine organizational accountability as the state may find it more difficult to hold community-based groups to account through penalties for poor performance. Key lessons presented are that this model which has been scaled in the state across most urban areas can be sustained to the extent to which governments can invest in building the capacities of the community groups.