Transformational Development (TD) is the process and actions through which children, families and communities move towards wholeness of life
with dignity, justice, peace and hope.

World Vision’s commitment to child-focused, community based, sustainable transformational development is experienced in specially designated community groups known as Area Development Programmes (ADPs). The ADPs have a life span of 10-15 years and are initiated in clearly defined geographical clusters of rural or urban communities, with populations ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 people.

Children are the core of all World Vision activities and the TD programmes focus on their well-being and empowerment while facilitating transformation in the systems and structures, communities and donors.

The ADP governance, ownership and management are intentionally pursued in partnership with communities, enhancing their capacities to pursue their own transformational development.

The grassroots community programming encourages ADP teams to build stronger coalitions with communitybased organisations, civil society, government, and non-government development organisations. Some community-based organisations become local legal entities which often develop their own bilateral relationships.

The development programmes can sometimes be interrupted and face set-backs due to both natural and man-made disasters. Therefore, ADPs also integrate processes such as disaster mitigation that enhance stability, and help build more peaceful and resilient communities.

Most World Vision development programmes are privately funded through sponsorship and in 2008 there were 29 ADPs operating in 1000 villages across 18 Districts of Sri Lanka.