Enabling Collaborative Action between Self-Help Groups and Rural Local Bodies through an Exploratory Workshop: The Case of a Peri-Urban Village in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India

Abstract

Peri-urban areas in developing countries pose unique governance challenges because of their rapid development. Villages in these areas are under-served in terms of the provision of waste management services. This research focused on an exploratory workshop conducted in one peri-urban village in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India, to raise community awareness regarding the importance of contributing towards effective waste management in their village and the means by which they can do so. The findings of the workshop show its effectiveness in raising the awareness levels of self-help group members. In addition to these findings, causal loop diagrams were drawn to construct effective institutional mechanisms from the perspective of the capacities of the participants and the officials. This study examined the policy initiatives necessary for meeting the sanitation and waste management needs of peri-urban villages. Inferences regarding the institutionalization of linkages between self-help groups and local bodies were made based on the principles of sociocracy. Theoretical insight was provided regarding the different factors affecting this system, and how this model is flexible enough to accommodate the contextual needs of peri-urban villages.

Keys of sustainable community-based waste management (lesson learnt from Yogyakarta City)

“…An example is the communitybased waste management recycling program carried out in Surau Al Husna, Shah Alam Malaysia which has low operating costs and is able to increase income and thus become a model in Malaysia [2]. Community participation together with policy makers is also a very important factor to ensure the sustainability of the waste management program that is through discussions and meetings to solve problems together [5]. The relationship between policy makers and community groups is able to increase trust and increase public awareness [5].…”

“…Community participation together with policy makers is also a very important factor to ensure the sustainability of the waste management program that is through discussions and meetings to solve problems together [5]. The relationship between policy makers and community groups is able to increase trust and increase public awareness [5].…”