Kaafu Atoll is developing at a rapid pace compared to the various atolls in the country. This could be attributed to the rapid development of the tourist industry within this atoll.There are various development projects going on, within the atoll. ADSL or Atoll Development for Sustainable Livelihood is one of the most important projects that are going on right now.

ADSL II Project

The ADSL II Projects is one of the most important projects that is going on within this atoll at the moment, which is under direct supervision of the Ministry of Atolls Development.

The project was implemented on 01/01/2004 and is expected to run till 31/12/2007 under the direct control of Ministry of Atolls Development. The project will be handed over, rather as an additional section of the Atoll Offce from 31/12/2007

The regional office for ADSL II is situated in Thulusdhoo, where it executes the various projects at community and individual level.

The main funding bodies for the project are, the Government of the Republic of Maldives, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), NGOs, CBOs and various institutions.

The Atoll Commitee plays a vital role in ADSL II.

Why ADSL?

The ADSL II projects are aimed at financing to alleviate poverty. It is a project which operates at the grass root level of development. The project develops the capacity at a social, communal and individual level.

How big is ADSL?

ADSL is a $ 1.696 million (United States Dollar One Million Six Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand) project, for the 4 years. Although this total is not allocated for Kaafu atoll alone, but for all the atolls in which the ADSL project runs (for information on the Atolls in which ADSL is active, visit the Ministry of Atoll Development website).

How does ADSL work?

When a community based organization, proposes a project which clearly elobrates on the benefits of that respective project, estimated costs, durations etc.. and submits that proposal at the ADSL regional office for Kaafu Atoll, the processing begins.

The proposal is submitted at the Atoll Commitee, which is headed by the Atoll Chief. who then evaluates various proposals submitted by numerous CBO's within the Atoll. The projects are weighted according to their importance and the allocated funding (not full) is sanctioned.