Water for everyday needs
Rainwater catchments and other community water systems feature in the programme’s earlier infrastructure work.
Learn more about Water for everyday needsCOMMUNITIES AT THE CENTRE
Strengthening communities. Improving rural service delivery.
Supporting communities across Papua New Guinea to shape their priorities and build a more resilient future.
Community-driven development in Papua New Guinea
RSDP-2 · Planned coverage & reach
12ProvincesPlanned Phase 2 coverage
24DistrictsPlanned Phase 2 coverage
48Local-level governmentsPlanned Phase 2 coverage
1.4m+PeoplePlanned Phase 2 reach
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Lasting change starts with local voices.
Implemented by the PNG Government through DPLGA and financed by the World Bank, RSDP-2 puts communities at the centre of rural development. People help identify priorities, plan improvements and take responsibility for the infrastructure and services they use.
Better access to basic services
Improve access to resilient infrastructure and services in participating provinces, including communities affected by violence.
Stronger local participation
Support community ownership, participatory planning and practical cooperation with local-level governments.
THE RSDP JOURNEY
A local beginning. A growing ambition.
From a two-province pilot to a wider rural development programme, the approach has grown around one idea: communities should help shape their own future.
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2013–2017
The pilot: start local
The Rural Service Delivery and Local Governance Project began in Central and Western provinces. This pilot established the foundation for the community-driven approach that RSDP would take forward.
Pilot phase · Central & Western
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2018–2025
RSDP 1: broaden the reach
The Rural Service Delivery Project expanded to five provinces and 20 local-level governments: Central, Western, Simbu, West Sepik and East New Britain. Communities identified priorities and delivered local infrastructure and services.
Phase 1 · 5 provinces · 20 LLGs
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2026–2033
RSDP 2: build on experience
Phase 2 builds on the earlier programme, with planned coverage of 12 provinces, 24 districts and 48 local-level governments. Its focus combines resilient basic services with stronger participation in local governance.
Phase 2 · Planned reach: over 1.4 million people
WHERE WE WORK
One programme. Many local priorities.
Phase 2 plans to extend coverage across 12 provinces, 24 districts and 48 local-level governments, with an intended reach of over 1.4 million people. The provincial footprint below is the planned scope, not a record of completed delivery.
Planned Phase 2 footprint
- Central
- Gulf
- Western
- West Sepik
- East Sepik
- Morobe
- Eastern Highlands
- Simbu
- Enga
- West New Britain
- East New Britain
- Autonomous Region of Bougainville
District and LLG profiles will be added as local information is published.
OUR WORK
Better services. Stronger communities.
Eight areas of work connect community priorities with practical improvements. They draw on earlier RSDP experience and the focus of Phase 2.
Education
Learning needs a place to grow. Earlier RSDP work includes classrooms, school libraries, a computer lab and teachers’ houses, shaped around community priorities.
Health
Local infrastructure can bring basic care closer to home. Earlier RSDP projects include community health aid posts and houses for community health workers.
Water & sanitation
Reliable water is a daily priority. The programme’s experience includes rainwater catchments, gravity-fed systems, solar-powered borewells and water-supply rehabilitation.
Community infrastructure
Shared spaces help communities connect and access services. Earlier work includes multipurpose halls, resource centres, markets, safe houses and a footbridge.
Electrification
Energy supports everyday community needs. Solar household lighting is among the improvements delivered through earlier RSDP community projects.
Climate resilience
Resilient basic infrastructure is central to Phase 2. Disaster and climate awareness at ward level is also part of the project’s contingent disaster response component.
Local governance
Ward meetings, local planning and community review put people into decision-making. Training helps communities and local governments prepare, deliver and maintain projects.
Women & youth
Phase 2 includes women and youth in community training and planning, alongside dedicated grants to support their groups’ participation in local development.
RESULTS & IMPACT
From infrastructure to everyday opportunity.
A classroom, water supply or health aid post matters because of the service it supports. RSDP-2 builds on that experience, with a focus on resilient infrastructure, local participation and community ownership.
Access
Basic infrastructure and services shaped around local needs.
Participation
Community meetings and local decisions throughout the project cycle.
Sustainability
Operation and maintenance planning alongside project delivery.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
What community priorities can become.
Earlier RSDP work delivered a range of improvements in rural services. These photographs illustrate the programme’s experience; they are not Phase 2 completion reports.
Spaces for learning
Classrooms, libraries and teachers’ houses are among the education facilities supported through earlier RSDP work.
Learn more about Spaces for learning
Care closer to communities
Community health aid posts and health-worker housing form part of the programme’s earlier health-sector work.
Learn more about Care closer to communitiesHOW IT WORKS
From a local idea to a shared asset.
Communities stay involved through five stages, from the first discussions to the review of a completed subproject.
- 01
Start up & project entry
Project teams, local consultations and partnership arrangements prepare the ground for community work.
- 02
Mobilise & plan
Ward meetings, service mapping and ward development plans help communities identify priorities.
- 03
Select & prepare
Ideas are appraised, proposals are prepared and communities review the proposed subprojects.
- 04
Implement & monitor
Training, procurement and construction go alongside monitoring and operation and maintenance planning.
- 05
Complete & review
Technical checks and community evaluation review delivery and the arrangements for looking after the asset.
NEWS & STORIES
Get to know the programme.
Read these project explainers for a closer look at the community-driven approach, the delivery cycle and the focus of Phase 2.
Building on a community-led foundation
Project explainer: the journey from the Central and Western pilot to the planned footprint of RSDP-2.
Read more about Building on a community-led foundation
Four components. One shared purpose.
Project explainer: infrastructure, capacity, project support and disaster response work together in Phase 2.
Read more about Four components. One shared purpose.From local priorities to community projects
Project explainer: how ward meetings, local planning and community review help turn needs into practical improvements.
Read more about From local priorities to community projectsMAKE A DIFFERENCE
Work with RSDP
Put your experience to work for rural communities. Explore opportunities to join the project.
Contract · NC-007
Senior Procurement & Contract Managemenrt Officer (SPCMO) – RSDP-2
Port Moresby · National Capital District
The Senior Procurement and Contract Management Officer (SPCMO) leads and coordinates RSDP II procurement, contracting, and logistics activities, ensuring compliance with World Bank and Government of PNG requirements. The role provides procurement oversight and technical guidance to support transparent, efficient, and timely delivery of project activities and services to rural communities.
Closes 9 Oct 2026, 4:06 pm PGT
View vacancy