Social Cohesion & Development in the Liberia Millennium Village

Lead PI: Macartan Humphreys

Unit Affiliation: Earth Clinic (EC)

July 2011 - December 2012
Inactive
Africa ; Sub-Saharan Africa ; Bong County, Liberia
Project Type: Research

DESCRIPTION: This project aims to assess the social cohesion impacts of the Millennium Village project in Bong County, Liberia, with a quasi-experimental pre-post survey design, paired with qualitative research. Additionally, the project will include evaluation of social impacts.

OUTCOMES: 2011- 2012: Outcomes of this project include addressing key questions such as “Does living in Millennium Village Project community improve social cohesion?” and “Are there negative impacts on social cohesion?” These findings discuss whether there is an increased membership in Millennium Village communities, improved trust and networks amongst community members and organizations, decreased conflicts among members, and whether cooperation within the community causes a decrease in trust and cooperation with members outside their community. The findings suggest that the project and comparison communities are comparable on many dimensions.

SPONSOR:

Earth Institute

FUNDED AMOUNT:

$30,000

RESEARCH TEAM:

Elisabeth King

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COLLABORATORS:

School of International and Public Affairs

EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Liberian Statistics Department

KEYWORDS

millennium villages project urbanization survey design social cohesion impacts