The Programme’s delivery of assistance and services to the PDCs follows a community development framework anchored on a six-stage evolution process.  Conceptualized as a ladder of progression, each stage builds on the achievements of the previous one. The PDC Development Framework is likewise used to assess and  measure the PDC’s progress or lack of it.

During the UNMDP 3 phase, it was noted that the PDC development from one stage to another is rather cyclical rather than linear, reflecting the process of change from adapting to normative, and the dynamics of conflict in the community.  A higher stage PDC can regress dramatically if another cycle of violence will disturb its relative peace.  But some degrees of resiliency are also developed as the PDC climbs to higher stage of development.

The illustration below shows the PDC Stages of Development and Transformation:

Under the revised Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) of the ACT for Peace Programme, the nomenclature of stages has been enhanced to take into account the “behavioral changes” in the personal, relational, structural and cultural make-up of the PDCs.  These peace-based indicators of change are the main difference of the PDC Development Framework formulated in UN-MDP3 and that of the ACT for Peace Programme as the previous was largely based  on developmental indicators.

Below are descriptions of each stage.

Stage 1: Early Stage. PDCs have awareness of its conflict and human security issues and concerns, and developing a sense/perspective for peace.

Stage 2: Emerging Stage. PDCs have relevant social structures and are able to practice participatory processes to collectively address its peace and human security needs and concerns.

Stage 3: Developing Stage. PDCs have capacities to plan, and act upon their priority peace and human security requirements.

Stage 4: Implementing Stage. PDCs are able to optimize local and outside resources for, and are implementing their priority peace and human security programs and projects.

Stage 5: Adapting Stage. PDCs are able to negotiate their rights to peace, and adopt practices that promote self-reliance and honest governance in communities.

Stage 6: Expanding Stage. PDCs are able to comply with service delivery standards, share their best practices with other communities, and are involved in larger peacebuilding activities.

See also:

• Peace and Development Communities (full text), including detailed description of each development stage (in.pdf)
• List of Peace and Development Communities by Area, as of December 2007 (in .pdf)