Community-led development programme evaluations
2024 impact evaluation
In 2024 Hāpai Hapori commissioned an independent impact evaluation focused on four communities that have transitioned from the Community-led Development Programme (CLDP).
The full report and case studies for each community can be downloaded below:
- Community-led Development Programme Impact Evaluation June 2024
- CLDP Whananāki Community Case Study
- CLDP South Invercargill Community Case Study
- CLDP Eastside Rotorua Community Case Study
- CLDP Featherston Community Case Study
2022 programme evaluation
Executive summary of the evaluation findings
The CLDP is making a positive contribution to the well-being of communities that participate in it.
The CLDP is supporting these communities towards a more confident future.
Specifically, the CLDP is:
- acting as a catalyst or spring-board for change
- strengthening community capacity
- building connections with other areas of funding
- linking disconnected communities together.
Whakawhanaungatanga
Whakawhanaungatanga, or the fostering of relationships, are at the heart of successful projects, along with support tailored to each community's needs.
The communities that have been most successful in the CLDP are those which established a common foundation from the outset of the programme and partnered with, or were led by, mana whenua.
Key enablers of change
Key enablers of change are:
- having community plans
- making sure community-led development is 'socialised' within communities
- having local CLDP coordinators or facilitators working alongside Hāpai Hapori community advisors
- having mana whenua partnerships
- working within a 5-year funding timeframe, recognising building trust and self-determination takes time.
Challenges
Community-led development is an ongoing learning process and not all communities develop at the same pace.
Specific challenges in the CLDP included:
- mismatches between advisors and communities
- tensions over governance and who holds the funding
- the level of community readiness for the CLDP
- developing partnerships with mana whenua
- issues with stakeholder relations, notably with local authorities.
Recommendations for improvement
The top 4 recommendations to Hāpai Hapori are:
- Expand the pool of resources for community partners to use.
- Strengthen Te Tiriti responsiveness in the CLDP.
- Review the fund-holding system.
- Strengthen support and resources for community advisors.
There is a complete list of the recommendations in the full summary of evaluation findings.
This evaluation report was produced by Dovetail Consulting in partnership with the Kinnect Group.