About CDA
A community-grown NGO, twenty years into rural Simbu.
CDA began as the idea of Yanny Smith Guman after more than a decade working with NGOs in remote PNG communities. Registered in 2001, it began operating in Gumine District in 2005 and, from 2020, across all six districts of Simbu Province.
Registration & identity
- Legal name
- Community Development Agency of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Inc.
- Date of formation
- 15 October 2001
- Registration authority
- Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), PNG
- Registration number
- 5‑1420, under s.7 of the Association Incorporation Act
- Operating as an NGO since
- 2005
- Head office
- Non‑Formal Education Section, Division of Education, Kundiawa 461, Simbu Province
Why CDA exists
More than 70% of Papua New Guinea’s population lives rurally, with life outcomes well behind urban centres — a gap CDA traces to weak government presence and a lack of leadership focused on rural development. CDA’s response: enter communities on their own terms, understand how they live, and grow interventions that are sustained by the people who receive them.
Core issues we address
- 01Tribal fighting causing large-scale destruction to livelihoods and natural resources
- 02Poor health conditions across rural wards
- 03Dysfunctional government and an ineffective leadership system
- 04Over-exploitation and degradation of natural resources
- 05Limited income-generating opportunities and access to resources
- 06Community marginalisation and entrenched poverty
- 07Abuse and misuse of already-limited resources
Method
A six-week rhythm, repeated for every project
- Week 1
Planning workshop
Project teams and communities set the plan together before any activity begins.
- Weeks 2–4
Implementation
Field activity delivered by project coordinators, officers and community resource officers.
- Week 5
Community entry
Return to community to check progress, listen, and adjust.
- Week 6
Reporting & evaluation
Narrative and budget acquittals prepared before the cycle repeats.
Who we work with
- Young men and women trained as community facilitators
- Model families supported to lead by example
- Clan and community groups organised as CBOs
- Community leaders and committees who lead those CBOs
- Women leaders and women's groups
- Village court officials, mediators and informal community leaders
- Ward councillors and ward development committees
- Youth groups, schools, students, farming groups and public servants
- Church organisations and community institutions
- District Management Teams across all five districts
- Other NGOs within Simbu Province and beyond
Financial management
All programs run on a documented financial operating manual with standard reporting, budget acquittal and evaluation forms. CDA’s books pass through external audit every six months. Since 2005, more than sixteen partners have channelled over K8 million through formal agreements — without a recorded breach of law or policy.
General Body & governance
- General Body members
- 72 (43 men · 29 women) — meets annually to approve plans & budget
- Board of Directors
- 7 members (4 men · 3 women), 2‑year terms
- Ward development committees supported
- 450
- Model farmers & health volunteers
- 1,700 model farmers · 40 health volunteers
Policy & procedure manuals
Documented systems behind every program
Human Resource Operating Procedure Manual
Sets down the policies, conditions, rights and obligations governing CDA staff.
Accounting & Financial Procedure Manual
The basic framework for reaching CDA's financial goals economically and efficiently.
Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
Establishes child rights at every level of the organisation and in the communities CDA serves.
Complaint Mechanism Policy
Ensures every stakeholder can raise feedback or complaints and have them properly addressed.
Family Model Approach Strategy
Promotes community socio-economic participation to improve family quality of life.
Gender Policy
Establishes gender equality across every level and function of the organisation.
Disability Inclusion Policy
Ensures people with disabilities are included in the delivery of CDA's work.
Women Economic Empowerment Strategy
Promotes equal opportunity for women to participate in and benefit from profitable economic activity.
Performance Management System
Improves CDA's overall organisational performance and program delivery quality.
Role Description of Staff
Defines each role's purpose in achieving CDA's organisational goals and objectives.
Accounting Software (QuickBooks)
Improves the organisation's financial management system.
Website
Shows partners and the public what CDA does, and opens a channel for feedback.
Access Database
Records, sorts, classifies and processes all project and organisational data efficiently — the same principle this site's search is built on.