Heshan city’s approach to targeted poverty alleviation

Public and transparent funding management

In Heshan, there is also a three-step process to be followed before poverty alleviation funds can be applied to initiatives such as road-building projects. First the proposal has to be discussed by the villager group. Then it has to be discussed by a poverty alleviation special funding group. Finally, it has to be properly publicized by the relevant village and town governments. Every week, the city holds a meeting to check on project progress and verify whether funding has been issued in full and on time.

Transparency, publicity, and scrutiny at all levels are the key to the management of poverty alleviation funds in Heshan.

Villages managed by villagers

Authorities in Heshan have also chosen a number of assistant executives from village cadres and people’s representatives. These assistant executives are familiar with local incomes, and it is their responsibility to persuade poor families to be honest and open about their circumstances. Once they are satisfied that the information is accurate, the assistant executive and the family will both sign a corresponding document known as a "bilateral affirmation" paper. It is also their role to explain the poverty alleviation policy to poor families, build up their self-belief, and encourage them to take an active role in poverty alleviation work.

Currently, every assistant poverty alleviation executive is responsible for managing the income and expense figures for 20 poor families. They are also responsible for other ongoing follow-up work, until the families under their charge have been raised from poverty.