SPARC

Over the last 25 years, the Alliance has developed the Federation Model, a set of core activities that build the organizational base, capacities and confidence of communities – particularly women – to negotiate for and implement development solutions. These activities are processes, not projects: they are important not only as means to goals, but as ends in and of themselves, simultaneously meeting specific needs and building a foundation for the urban poor’s sustained participation in development processes.

Guiding Principles

Start with the poorest of the poor : Unless solutions work for the bottom 30%, they will be left out.

Participation of women is central : Development initiatives cannot succeed without those who hold together homes and communities.

The poor must be partners, not beneficiaries : The poor know best what they need, and change only occurs when they are organized to make demands and sustain them over time.

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Negotiation is necessary : Protests alone don’t lead to answers. Dialogue with authorities is essential for lasting solutions.

Solutions are political, not technical : Access to land and shelter is a systemic and political problem, so solutions cannot be primarily technical or managerial.

Good governance is inclusive : It honors the participation of poor people and women in development decisions and practices.

Core Activities

	Setting up Area Resource Centres that serve as a meeting space and base for activities

	Encouraging households to join Savings and Credit programs that build financial assets and local capacity

	Completing community-led Enumerations, Surveys, and Maps to create a powerful informational base for strategizing and negotiating

	Facilitating Peer Exchanges among groups on local, regional and national levels so that communities can learn from each other

	Organizing Housing Exhibitions that showcase affordable solutions and act as a tool for mobilization and dialogue with officials

	Supporting Dialogue and Negotiation with relevant authorities

	Advocating for pro-poor Policy Changes