This working paper focuses on how the delivery of public and private goods can, and should, be combined within community driven-development (CDD) programmes.

CDD approaches are initially rooted in the provision of public goods, particularly in community-level infrastructure including rural roads, irrigation facilities, water and sanitation infrastructure and education and health services. Particularly in fragile and conflict situations, there can be political pressures (from both governments and donors) to implement ambitious programmes, in the hope that wide-ranging investments will  demonstrate a full commitment to restore and revive an area post-conflict, and work towards preventing a future relapse into conflict.

Using CDD approaches in building public goods involves community committees playing a pivotal role in prioritising; planning and managing investments; and subsequent operation and maintenance – including through drawing up community, village and higher-level plans. Increasingly, CDD approaches are being used to build private goods, as well as, or instead of, public goods. This working paper explores building public and private goods, particularly in fragile and conflict situations and how investments in one should support and strengthen the other.