Budikadidi
Budikadidi is a five-year (2016-2021) development program to promote self-sufficiency and improved nutrition in the isolated, under-developed Kasai Orientale Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).The Feinstein International Center is leading three studies under this program.
Harnessing Social Networks is the first study. Development agencies commonly conduct activities through self-selecting groups of community members, depending on existing social networks to form cohesive, collaborative groups. This study explores four different dynamics of group formation, how different sectors of the population benefit differently, and how to harness these dynamics to improve the reach and impact of development programs. Each dynamic is presented in a separate brief.
The second study, currently underway, is testing the whether a specially designed wall-hanging that allows parents to understand their children’s growth status will improve parents’ and communities’ understanding of stunting.
The topic of the third study is under discussion.
The program is funded by USAID/Food for Peace and is implemented by a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) led consortium of six national and international agencies, Caritas, National Cooperative Business Association –Cooperative League of the United States of America (NCBA-CLUSA), Network of Congolese Youth Associations (RACOJ), Women’s Development Network (REFED), and Tufts University, in collaboration with the government of the DRC.
Reaching the Most Vulnerable through Budikadidi Group-Based Activities
The Budikadidi program struggled to reach the most vulnerable people through mainstream activities. However, when the program created groups specifically adapted to the unique needs and limitations of the most vulnerable, these people were able to participate and benefit from the program.
Budikadidi Support of Childcare for Infants and Young Children
This brief explores the role of Neighbor Groups and Lead Mothers in supporting parents to care for their children in Budikaki.
Working with Cliques to Reach Everyone in Budikadidi Villages
Sometimes a group of people within a community exist somewhat separately. A clique is a subset of people within a larger group that has intense interaction within the subset but...
Committee Members and Influential People in Village Networks
This study found that there is a relatively small overlap between people deemed the most influential and the elected committee members of self-organizing groups.