40 families did not have to migrate to other communities to sell their labor to harvest cash crops such as coffee and sugar cane because of improved production and incomes in their own communities. The average membership on a MDC is 10 individuals from at least five neighboring communities. The MDCs brought together private and public leaders and members of other development organizations, grassroots leaders such as cooperative and association presidents, and municipal government representatives to coordinate their development programs and provide financial and technical support. Lessons Learned Local participation is key to project success. Partnering with community stakeholders is key to project success.
Municipal elections can have both positive and negative effects on community development activities.
This campaign activity diverted community efforts away from development projects. But at the same time, project participants interjected community needs and development priorities into the platforms and commitments of candidates at various levels. Project benefits occur at various levels. Cattle improvement projects are usually seen as generating income from the sale of fattened cattle. Beneficiaries also enjoyed important intangible benefits such as increased prestige as owners of an improved breed of cattle.