> 
> The objective was to reduce the time and effort needed to obtain access to essential goods and services through an improved rural transport system.
>  The underlying assumption was that the time saved would be used **instead for** activities that would improve the social and economic development of the communities.
> 
> 
> 

Hi

I don't truly understand the second sentence.

Does it mean the time saved is used instead of those activities or does it mean the time saved is used for those activities?

Maybe, the sentence is supposed to be like this:
The underlying assumption was that the time saved would be used , instead,for activities that would improve the social and economic development of the communities.