A story from Afghanistan 

By learning to read, make, analyse budgets, communities have been able to power their struggle in various dimensions; by drawing up their own developmental plans. Under National Solidarity Plan, Action Aid International Afghanistan has been working with 74 community development councils (CDC). Capacity building of the community in budgeting, its analysis, social auditing, and monitoring & evaluating budget expenditures has enabled the community to get directly involved in their village development plan, problem prioritizations and decision making. Representatives in CDCs, especially women and excluded people within communities have been the channel to attain this.These CDCs are formed from more then 100 villages and sub villages. Local community based governance structures or community development council (CDC) alliance or network are formed at districts levels. New members of CDCs were elected in a fully democratic election process with participatory of over 75% of people in villages. 40 members of 20 CDCs in Mordyan district were trained. 26 CDCs are in Khaki jabar district and 48 CDCs are in Sorubi district; all 74 CDCs could develop their community development plans and prioritize their needs with participation of women during decision making process. 50% of CDCs members are women – meaning there are 328 out of 659 elected CDC members are women, representing 5,715 families.