The SEDS’ approach towards the development processes it supports can be defined by to keywords: integrated and participatory.

Integrated

The four main areas of SEDS work, NRM, Community Organization, Health and Education are interlinked.

At the heart of the approach are the people’s organizations SEDS empowers in the community organisation programme: the women Self Help Groups at the household level and the Village Organizations and Village Develoment committees at the village level.

These bodies are involved in the realization of the programmes. For instance, Village Organisations implement watershed, forestation, and soil and water conservation works, or take up educational issues in their monthly meetings.  And families of the Self help Groups members are directly targeted in the health and education interventions. They for instance cooperate with the VHW’s to implement the health and village sanitation interventions.

Participatory

Participation has become a buzzword in the development world. At SEDS, we have always tried to give a real meaning to this word.
 
The target communities are given ownership of the development process in their village, by involving them as much as possible throughout the project cycle.

The planning of activities happens together with the people, through PRA – Participatory Reflection and Action-  exercises.

Participation also means that communities contribute financially or in labor to the implementation of programmes. This gives them ownership and also a sense of responsibility over the development processes in their village. They also contribute in monitoring of the activities, and maintain account books and record the progress.