From the Training Room to Field Reality: Applying What I Learned from the CDD Program

Development training programs often remain confined to classrooms, filled with concepts and theoretical models that can be difficult to translate into real-world practice. However, my experience in the Community Driven Development (CDD) program organized by the People Development Training Center (PDTC) at Bala Vikasa was a genuine exception to this pattern.

Over two intensive weeks of training, the focus was not only on “what we do” in development, but on “how,” “with whom,” and “why.” From the very first day, the core message of the program was clear. The community is not a beneficiary of development, but its main driver. This shift in perspective fundamentally changed my understanding of the role of development practitioners, from implementers or experts to facilitators and partners in a long-term participatory process.

The training did not remain limited to theoretical discussions inside the classroom. It also included field visits to sites where Bala Vikasa had implemented community led development projects. Among the most impactful visits were drinking water supply projects established in areas that had suffered for many years from contaminated water sources. For the local communities, these projects were not merely infrastructure interventions, but major achievements that significantly improved daily life. Unsafe drinking water has, over the years, caused serious health problems, including negative effects on children’s growth and bone development from birth. Witnessing this impact firsthand gave the concept of development a practical meaning that goes far beyond numbers and reports.

The field visits also included community-based farms producing organic products that had succeeded not only in cultivation, but also in distribution, marketing, and sales. These experiences demonstrated how small scale initiatives, when built on community needs and local capacities, can evolve into economically and socially sustainable models that generate real income opportunities for local families.

In addition, the program stood out for its strong emphasis on practical capacity building, including the psychological and human dimensions of development work. This component was particularly important, as it addressed how to work under pressure, engage with diverse cultures, and build relationships based on trust and mutual respect. These skills are often overlooked in training programs, despite being essential for the success of any field-based intervention.

Living within the Bala Vikasa campus added another valuable dimension to the experience. It allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the program and its philosophy. We were also able to observe how the organization relies on agriculture in its daily life, both for food production and cooking. This reflects a model that is close to self sufficiency. This practical approach strengthened my understanding of the link between development, sustainability, and everyday living practices, rather than viewing projects as isolated from their broader context.

This experience also directly influenced my current academic path. I am currently pursuing a PhD with a research focus on understanding how local communities perceive the risks of climate change, and how this perception shapes their behavior and adaptive capacity. What I learned through the CDD program reinforced my conviction that no development or research intervention can be effective without a deep understanding of community perspectives. This approach clearly reflects the core philosophy of the program.

In conclusion, the CDD experience at Bala Vikasa was not merely a short-term training, but a pivotal moment that reshaped my way of thinking about development work. It serves as an important reminder that real investment is not only in projects, but in people, and in their ability to lead change themselves.