If we don’t do it, who will? A study into the sustainability of Community Protection Structures supported by Oxfam in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This report summarises findings and recommendations from field research conducted in communities where Oxfam previously implemented a community protection programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In early 2016, Oxfam carried out 198 interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with members of Community Protection Structures (‘Protection Structures’), wider community members, and local authorities in 30 communities where the programme was implemented between 2009 and 2015. The duration of support provided to each community varied.

This report provides an overview of the community protection programme, before presenting a summary of the research results, key findings and recommendations for Oxfam, other NGOs using community-based approaches, and funders.