The DFDP has reached the mid-point of its 5-year programme and has established effective programme management and implementation procedures. It has achieved a high level of ownership amongst both central and local government stakeholders, and within the communities where it has been working.

It is perceived to have been effective by external stakeholders such as DFID which committed in June 2003 to co-fund the project, allowing a scaling-up to more than double its original size.