COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The process by which the efforts of the people themselves are

united with those of governmental authorities to improve
the economic, social and cultural conditions of these
communities into the life of the nation, and to enable them
to contribute fully to national progress. The complex of
processes is then made up of two essential elements: the
participation of the people themselves and the provision of
technical and other services in ways which encourage
initiative, self-help and mutual aid and make this more
effective (UN 1963)
A process by which a community identifies its needs and
objectives, orders (or ranks) them, develops the will and
confidence to work on them, and in so doing extends and
develops cooperative and collaborative attitudes and
practices in the community. The result of the community
organization process is that the community should be better
equipped than at some previous stage, or before the process
began to identify and deal cooperatively and skillfully with
its common problems (Ross 1955)
• “Community development is the participation of people in a
mutual learning experience involving themselves, their local
resources, external change agents, and outside resources.
People cannot be developed. They can only develop
themselves by participating in activities which affect their
well-being. People are not being developed when they are
herded like animals into new ventures.”
Julius Nyerere, 1968
United Nation’s report states that

“Community Development is the process designed to create

conditions of economic and social progress for whole of
community development with its active participation and
fullest possible reliance on community initiative.”
• It is the process through which the human being is assisted
in his growth and development within the scope of his
potential (Depositario, 1991)
• The process of assisting ordinary people to improve their
own communities by undertaking collective action
(Twelvetrees, 1991)
• It concerns with the development of attitudes,
understanding and skills. These are manifested by the
change observed in people’s action such as cooperativeness
and social responsibilities (Benan, 1968)
• A process which strengthens the “horizontal patter” of the
community, that is the relations of individuals, groups and
organizations in local communities (Warren, 1963)
Background
Community development is a grassroots process by which
communities:
• Become more responsible
• Organize and plan together
• Develop healthy lifestyle options
• Empower themselves
• Reduce poverty and suffering
• Create employment and economic opportunities
• Achieve social, economic, cultural and environmental goals
Similarities between Community
Organisation and Community
Development
Similarities

i. Both are process

ii. Both are aimed at socio-economic development of the
community through varies welfare programmes.
iii. In both the unit of action is community.
iv. People participation is the key to both process.
v. Mobilization and utilisation of resources is ensured in both
process.
Distinction between Community
Organisation and Community
Development
 Community organisation Community development
People’s participation is important. People’s development is important.
Governments and external agencies External assistance from the government
assistances are not important or or other agencies is considered
needed. important.
It is used in all the fields. Used mostly in economic development
and development of living standards
Planning is initiated by the people Planning is carried out by an external
through their participation. agency mostly by the government.
Community organisers are mostly social Person can be from other professions
workers and social change agents. including agricultural experts, veterinary
experts, and other technical experts.
Community organisation is practiced in Programmes are mainly practiced in
any community. under developed or developing
communities.
Community Development approach
Process of Community Development

A fixed blueprint for perfect CD process is unrealistic. Rather

plan a framework that provides guidance and adapt it as the
situation evolves.
Process of CD

Process—

1. Building Support
2. Making a Plan
3. Implementing and Adjusting the Plan
4. Maintaining Momentum
1. Building Support
Community enhancement and capacity building are
fundamental to CD. The first step is to create awareness,
understanding and support for the CD process. There are
some queries---
Q1. Why do you believe a CD approach should be initiated?
Q2. What benefit would result form it?
Q3. What steps needed to be taken at first?
Q4. Who should take leadership role?
Q5. What are the longer term issue need to consider?
 Conti….

Q1. Why do you believe a CD approach should

be initiated?
Q2. What benefit would result form it?
• Develop ability
• Improve quality of life
• Develop community responsibility
• Opportunity to express their needs, problems, etc.
Q3. What steps needed to be taken at first?

• Informal contact with key organization and leaders to

determine their interest
• Hold a public forum to talk about community issues and
development
• Create leadership
• Determine readiness for community development
process
Q4. Who should take leadership role?
• Religious leader
• School/ college principal
• Local economic development authority
• Chamber of commerce
• Youth agencies
• Community members
 Q5. What are the long-term issues
need to consider?
• Building support, interest and involvement over time
• Development of community plan
• Community capacity development
• Fund and maintaining
• Develop organizational structure
Common mistakes in building community
support effort
Presenting ideas instead of asking for input
Misunderstanding silence or tone of voice
Treating interactions as competition instead of learning
opportunities
Develop framework without having appropriate examples
Judging people
Giving more attention to officially recognized leaders
Assuming needs instead of investigating
What should be done

Thinking and planning in advance

Clear communication
Evaluating the process
Develop and informal network
Holding meeting at regular interval
Assign concrete tasks
Recognize the contribution of individual
Indentifying individual and organizations who are not
supportive and talk
2. Making a plan

Community strength, weakness and resources

Ideal future of the community
Where they now and where they want to be
Specific actions to close the gap
Resources and capacity that needed to be addressed
Benefits of community plan

Holistic and comprehensive approach

Enhance community ability
Long term framework
Objectives and actions
Opinion, resource and efforts
Steps in community planning

7 steps
• Create a community vision
• Assess the current situation
• Set goals
• Establish objectives
• Develop action plan
• Implement action plan
• Evaluate progress and results
Factors contributes to successful planning

• Long-term commitment
• Leadership
• Resources
• Support
• Inclusive process and team work ability
• Realist appraisal of the current situation
Implementing and adjusting the plan
The implementation process must be well-planned and well-
managed if it is to be successful. There are some challenges
Integrating and coordinating a variety of tasks and activities
Being a good steward of resources
Identifying and building on community capacity
Communicating and celebrating result
Making hard decision when resources are limited
Keeping community people motivated and connected
Successfully managing the activities requires
strong leadership and a structure to support
implementation. Failing to have a solid
structure can lead to:
Burnout of your community leaders
Wasted effort
Confusion
Conflict
4. Maintaining Momentum
7 key areas that require careful thought when developing
an approach to maintaining momentum---
a. Leadership
b. Partnership
c. Building on community capacity
d. Funding
e. Reviewing and adapting the community development
plan
f. Communication
g. Using technical support and expertise
a. Leadership
The role of the community leader is to develop community
capacity over time. The goal of the leader is to encourage
empowerment of the community, not control over it.

Effectively communicate the vision of the community

Motivate individual and organizations
Develop effective working process
Focuses on result and inclusion

If people perceive that you represent a particular set of

interests or have hidden agenda they would not view you
positively
Leader seeking….

Set the required leadership skills and then seek leader

Ensure his/her clear understanding about role
Ensure community expectations are in line with
Ensure the understanding about vision, goals and others..
Provide constructive feedback to leaders
Develop ongoing leadership capacity
Do not impose more than they could
Weak leadership…..
Lack of leadership or poor leadership can put the whole CD
process into jeopardy and can occur for….
Burn-out
Lack of skills and abilities
Lack of support
Lack of clear understanding
Lack of continuity
Changing circumstances
b. Partnership
Partnership can be formed for a wide variety of reasons but
they are consistent in that way….
Share authority
Have joint investment or resources
Result in mutual benefits
Share risk, responsibility and accountability
A partnership is not a process where—
Simply a gathering of people
Hidden motivation
No trust
No sharing of risk
Person oriented
Told to work together
Benefits of partnership

Means for finding solution

Combine efforts to share opportunities
Eliminate overlap
Integrate ideas…
Good use of shared ideas, resources….
Steps for building strong partnership…
Know what you want to do
Decide who will do it
Make a plan and follow it
Evaluate the result
Factors of successful partnership…
A shared vision, goals and objectives
Clearly defined membership term
Strong commitment
Detailed action plan
Effective communication process
Adequate resources
Shared risk
Commitment to evaluate and adaptation
c. Building community capacity
Developing community capacity means taking risks, improving
things and sharing control. It involves changes, training and
increased power for those who have previously not had it.

There is no clear agreement about what should or should not

be, but involves many aspects and considerations.

Most often it refers to skills, knowledge and ability but can also
include things such as access, leadership, infrastructure,
time, commitment and resources.
Keys to success….
Assess everything required to carry out the plan
Understand skills and knowledge for various task
Identify the gap
Develop strategies for filling the gap
Develop strategies to support people

Commonly used strategies for the development of skills and

knowledge
Training workshop
Mentoring and coaching
Self directed learning
d. Funding community development
Obtaining financial resources can be a major challenge for CD
initiative, particularly at beginning stage.

Funding financial support is only the beginning of the resource

issue. Good financial management is also essential to
maintaining the credibility of CD effort. Should take care of---

Make sound financial management

Meet funding agencies
Undertake monthly assessment
Open about resource collection and use
e. Reviewing and adapting the CD plan
Key questions to be investigated while reviewing
Achievement?
Closing gap?
Changes occurred?
Strength to build?
Challenges faced?
Goals and objectives meaningful?
Need new action?
Additional knowledge and skills required?
f. Communication
Effective communication need….
Understanding people
Clear of message
Attention to them
Suitable communication media
g. Using technical support and expertise

Seek desired technical support from different sources where

necessary. But it is essential to identify where and who are
to be vital.
Attitude, knowledge and skills
Needed for a Community Worker
Attitude
Respect to people
Strong sense of responsibility and commitment
Empathy
Openness
Patience, perseverance and endurance
Creativity, innovation and intuition
Willingness to participate
Trust in others
Self-confidence
Knowledge…
About community
Social, economic and environmental development
Partnership
Group process and dynamics
Team building
Problem solving and decision making ability
Project management
Financial management
Training and skill development
Organizational development
Skills….

Communication, facilitating and team-building skills

Research, planning and evaluation skill
Problem solving and conflict resolution skill
Management skill
Organizational design and development skill