About Us

The Center for Community Development is a unit of the Institute for Water Resources Economics (IWRE). Its research, advisory services, training and knowledge transfer focus on participatory water governance, collective economic organisations and community development, connecting institutional research with local management, service delivery and livelihoods.

Origins and development

According to Dang Minh Tuyen’s retrospective in the Journal of Water Resources Science and Technology, issue 88/2025, the Center for Participatory Irrigation Management (CPIM) was established on 22 December 2004. Its early work focused on capacity development, PIM pilot models and practical guidance. In 2008–2015, research, policy advice, training and international cooperation expanded. From 2016 to the 2025 review, activities extended to rural infrastructure, water supply, disaster risk management and adaptive livelihoods.

In 2026, IWRE was formed through the merger of the Institute for Water Resources Economics and Management and the Center for Participatory Irrigation Management. Decision No. 07/QD-VKTTNN of 9 July 2026 defines the functions, responsibilities and structure of the Center for Community Development within the new organisation.

Position and functions

The Center studies community development, collective economic organisations, participatory management, co-governance, decentralisation, delegation and coordination among public agencies, enterprises, cooperatives, local water user organisations and communities. Its remit encompasses community capacity, rural livelihoods, water supply and sanitation, disaster risk management and climate adaptation through participatory approaches.

Responsibilities

1. Develop theoretical and practical evidence for organisational and institutional models, participatory management, co-governance, decentralisation, delegation and mobilisation of non-state participation in water, agricultural infrastructure and rural development.
2. Study cooperation groups, cooperatives, cooperative unions, local water user organisations and other community organisations; propose mechanisms to improve effectiveness, linkages, autonomy and sustainability.
3. Develop management models for small-scale and on-farm irrigation, rural water supply and sanitation, disaster risk management, climate adaptation and participatory livelihood development.
4. Study mobilisation, coordination and effective use of societal resources; collaborate on appropriate financing arrangements for community development.
5. Produce guidance, procedures, tools, indicators and assessment methods for community organisations, collective economic activities, participation and local service quality.
6. Conduct social surveys, needs and satisfaction assessments, social impact assessments, organisational capacity assessments and thematic investigations.
7. Lead or contribute to the development, review and evaluation of policies, programmes, plans and technical guidance as assigned by IWRE.
8. Deliver training, professional development and communication; develop cooperation networks, knowledge sharing and replication of effective models.
9. Work with other IWRE centers on water source protection, assets and services, policy impact assessment and monitoring indicators.
10. Undertake public and science and technology services, consultancy, international cooperation, technology transfer, partnerships, pilots and commercialisation as assigned.
11. Manage professional reporting, data, research records and outputs, and intellectual property registration, protection and use in accordance with applicable requirements.
12. Perform other tasks assigned by the Institute Director.

From research to practice

The Center starts from the needs of public agencies, service providers and communities, combining field surveys, institutional analysis, organisational assessment and stakeholder consultation. Outputs include policy evidence, practical guidance, capacity development programmes and field models. Follow-up should consider actual use, capacity developed and feedback from beneficiaries.

Contact

131 Chùa Bộc, Kim Liên, Hà Nội, Vietnam.
Telephone: 0243.563.9745 · Email: trungtamphattriencongdong.pim@gmail.com.