Community-Based Information Systems
CURE specializes in the development of Community-Based Information Systems (CBIS). CBIS is an organic information and pro-poor management tool that captures community perceptions and the needs of slum dwellers through the use of Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) instruments. It then integrates these into a spatial platform using the Geographical Information System (GIS) that can be easily viewed and understood.
CBIS is capable of collecting multiple layers of data at the household, community, ward, and city level, and across all sectors of development, including water supply, sanitation, livelihoods, education, and health. At the community level, the process of collecting information encourages neighbors to meet and discuss their individual and collective needs, and then analyze data to develop agreeable community action plans for implementation. The process helps strengthen community leadership structures and enables communities to get included in city planning processes. At the city level, it enables local governments to take appropriate decisions for service delivery that respond to community demands and monitor implementation.