Poverty Reduction and Improvement of the Wellbeing of People - Essay Example

The project being undertaken by BP Solar Australia is specifically focused on poverty reduction and improvement of the well-being of people through the development of packaged solar systems in the communities which can be harnessed as the enabling technology that can be used to meet various needs of the local people.  The project is mainly concerned with inculcating a sense of asset management as a way of promoting a sense of belonging which encourages development initiatives being undertaken in the local communities. The success of the project is mainly determined by the involvement of the members of the local communities.

Aims

 The main aim of the project is to improve the well-being of the local members of the Philippines communities that were underprivileged through the provision of facilities that were lacking such as electricity. It is also aimed at developing and supporting a culture of asset management among the community members as a way of establishing a sense of belonging. This is an attempt to make them part of the ongoing project initiative.

 Scope

 The scope of the analysis is to establish the assertion that project development in infrastructure in previously disadvantaged communities is one way of stimulating social and economic growth while at the same time alleviating poverty among the members of the affected areas.

 Significance of project

It is very significant in that it tries to create knowledge about how effective governance in developmental projects can directly benefit the targeted audience in the long run.

Stakeholder Categories

A stakeholder is an individual or group that is directly or indirectly affected by activities of a certain project or can be any entity with a conceivable interest or stake in a project. BP Solar Australia is the major stakeholder which coordinates the project. The Australian government is also a stakeholder as it is responsible for providing financial assistance through grants and loans. The Philippines government is a stakeholder responsible for authorizing the project. The local community members are stakeholders who are both part of the project and are affected by the solar power initiative. The members of the Municipal Solar Infrastructure Project as well as trainers are both stakeholders in this initiative.    

Table 1 Stakeholder list and roles

Stakeholders

Interests/roles in the project

1. Australian Government

-Leading role in providing financial assistance in the establishment of the project.

2.Philipines Government

-Overall authority in the regulation of the project implementation.

3. BP Solar Australia

-Coordinators

-Ensuring that their activities conform to the stipulated regulations.

-Lead by example and should be role models in society by being socially responsible.

4. Workers of the Municipal Solar Infrastructure Project

-Should take a leading role in disseminating information that is meant to foster development.

-Ensuring that the members of the groups they represent have adequate knowledge about the project.

5. Community members

6. Trainers

-Leading role in participating at grassroots levels in ensuring compliance with activities meant to promote the positive development of the project.

-Generation as well as sharing of knowledge and ideas vital in project implementation and management.

-Disseminating information that might be useful in implementing the project.

 Stakeholder Empowerment

Stakeholder empowerment can be achieved through establishing flexible governing structures. Thus, governance is particularly concerned with influencing the course of action with the major aim of achieving desired results on a certain project. For instance, decentralization of authority from top to bottom would ensure effective management as each stakeholder involved would have a significant role to play hence they would be part of the project. Community involvement in this case is aimed at creating a sense of ownership that empowers the locals and leads to compliance. This promotes development. The coordinators can be empowered through financial assistance in the form of loans and grants to sponsor the project.

Stakeholder management sheet

Name of

Stakeholder

Name of

Contact

Stakeholder type

Influence level

Interest level

Support level

Required action

Local government

Government

National

High

High

Green

Monitor

Communities

Public people

Front line

Medium

High

Orange

Keep informed

Trainers

Other

Education

Medium

Medium

Orange

Keep informed

Public sponsors-Gvt of Australia

Government

Financial

High

Medium

Green

Keep satisfied

MSIP

Other

Communities

Medium

Medium

Orange

Keep informed

Coordinator-Bp Solar Australia

Manager

Management

High

high

Green

Monitor

 Recommendation for Project Manager

The members of the local communities who are intended beneficiaries must be allowed to actively participate in the activities of the project as a way of emphasizing the significance of the project to their lives.

Comments

Decentralization of power and authority in the management of the project would ensure its effectiveness as well as mutual understanding among all stakeholders involved. Every member of the community should be involved in the overall project as this would give a sense of belonging to a certain activity. Controlling should be done at every stage as a way of ensuring that every sector of society is well-informed about the benefits of the project.

Conclusion

Over and above, it can be noted that the active involvement of local community members in projects meant to improve their welfare is the most effective way that makes governing easier hence there would be high chances of project success.