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Discussion

Student Name

Institution
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Community development

Community development is a structured approach where people in the community recognize

their needs, set goals, and take appropriate measures to enhance their region economically,

socially and environmentally. This makes it a participatory approach particularly emphasizing

the involvement of the people and social participation with an overall aim of creating sound

societies.

Importance of community development and community participation

1. Empowerment and capacity building

With the collective participation of people and stakeholders, the people can develop what they

want and how to solve their problems. This empowers the community to carry out activities that

will make the individuals have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to manage themselves.

2. Sustainability

The projects and the initiatives that involve the community are likely to be sustainable in the

long run as compared to the initiative that are not. When people have something to lose and/or

when they have been part of the process, then they will become more responsible for the

protection and support of the initiatives.

3. Social cohesion

Community development is a process through which social interactions for the attainment of

group objectives are enhanced hence promoting unity and togetherness. This can help promote

relationships and trust among the population, and thus, help minimize social exclusion of

members in a community.
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4. Better outcomes

There is evidence that suggests that involving the community increases the chances of getting

better and more appropriate results. Community members have better insights to their own

needs, assets, and barriers than outside professionals and therefore their participation could

create better solutions that are local and creative (Cornwall & Coelho, 2021).

5. Democratic engagement

Incorporation of community involvement aligns to democracy since citizens get to have a word

on what is done for them. This can improve the visibility, leadership, and management of the

affairs within societies (Gaventa & Martorano, 2019).

The role of community development workers

1. Capacity building

They offer training and development for people of the community to acquire adequate skills and

capacity. This could entail training such as workforce training, coaching as well as providing

chances for the development of leadership (Henderson & Thomas, 2020).

2. Facilitation and support

Community development workers enable the consideration and advancement of community

ventures as they help pinpoint requirements that must be met and organize projects while also

sourcing for resources. They are involved in engaging members of the community in such a

manner that their opinion is sought and their contribution is incorporated (Ledwith, 2020).

3. Networking and partnerships

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They assist in creating relationships as well as cooperation between various people and units

within the community and other community and outside organizations and companies. It can

strengthen more the grants and services within the neighborhood programs (McKnight & Block,

2020).

4. Advocacy

Community development workers support the community politically by speaking on behalf of

the people to the authorities or representatives of the central or local government. They assist in

making sure that the voice of the community particularly their worries is heard and taken into

consideration.

5. Monitoring and evaluation

CDWs assess the efficiency of the community schemes to check whether they are in line with

their goals and are useful to the intended society. These are also used in enhancing the various

aspects and in proving the efficiency of community development processes (Taylor & Wilkinson,

2021).

Principle of empowerment

Community empowerment consists of developing peoples’ potential for taking charge of their

lives, personally as well as in groups and organizations. Self-sufficiency and enhancing of social

participation are critically reliant on this principle. Empowerment process consists in the

involvement in decision making process, training and consciousness raising, provision of

adequate resources, strengthening the decision-making authority, increasing perceived self –

efficiency, and political mission. Particularly, empowerment fosters sustainable and innovative

approaches to meeting community needs while supporting social inclusion and the development
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of democratic culture since residents can voice their concerns regarding the issues influencing

their lives (Cornwall & Coelho, 2021).

Community development project

The Literacy and Learning Hub

Literacy and Learning Hub community development project in a rural community in Andhra

Pradesh, India, adopted the use of empowerment principle.

The project is proposed to be undertaken to increase literacy levels and school performance of a

selected deprived community. The project also constructed a community center which serves as a

school for adult literacy, a learning center for children after school and vocational training center.

Most of the employees of the center are local volunteers and educators, so they are in touch with

the community members and focus on the needs of the population.

Demonstration of empowerment

The Literacy and Learning Hub demonstrates empowerment in several ways:

1. Participatory planning

The undertaking was developed when several stakeholders were consulted about social problems

and they noted that low literacy and education levels were prevalent in their society. People of

the community were engaged in coming up with the programs to be offered by the hub with a

view of capturing the likely demands of the population.

2. Skill building

This hub provides different classes that help to develop the key competencies.; literacy courses

enhance the literacy amongst adults while vocational education and training prepare persons for
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the job market. Home tutoring also assists children in performing well in school and boosts their

self-esteem in their capacity.

3. Leadership development

People from the community should be empowered to take part in leadership of the project. The

center also involves local personnel in teaching, tutoring, and administration of the learning

center. This does not only help in cultivating leadership qualities but also inculcating

accountability of the members of the community.

4. Resource mobilization

The project is also useful for raising material support including educational materials, books, and

funds from local firms and INGOs. To the extent that sources of funding are internal, the

community is able to replicate and perpetuate the exercise independently of outside assistance.

5. Advocacy and influence

In the course of the project, the people of the community build the competence and the voice to

demand or campaign for improved education amenities and for policies. They work with lower

levels of power and schools to advocate for changes in entire systems of education.

Conclusion

Community development is a process of developing one’s community and as such holds the

general ability to change by the people and for the people. Benefitting from the community

participation, capacity, and social cohesiveness, community development hence yields effective

and sustainable results. Essentially, community development workers are right in the middle of

this process, helping and speaking on behalf of the community.

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References

Cornwall, A., & Coelho, V. S. (2021). Spaces for Change? The Politics of Citizen Participation in

New Democratic Arenas. Zed Books.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08c03ed915d622c00107d/Cornwall-intro.pdf

Gaventa, J., & Martorano, B. (2019). Inequality, Power, and Participation—Revisiting the Links.

Journal of Development Studies, 55(5), 1-19.

https://bulletin.ids.ac.uk/index.php/idsbo/article/view/2791

Henderson, P., & Thomas, D. N. (2020). Skills in Neighbourhood Work. Routledge.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203077474/skills-neighbourhood-

work-paul-henderson-david-thomas

Ledwith, M. (2020). Community Development: A Critical and Radical Approach. Policy Press.

https://concept.lib.ed.ac.uk/article/view/6645/8899

McKnight, J. L., & Block, P. (2020). The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of

Families and Neighbourhoods. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

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https://books.google.co.ke/books/about/The_Abundant_Community.html?id=ULXehpoH--

cC&redir_esc=y

Mosedale, S. (2020). Assessing Women's Empowerment: Towards a Conceptual Framework.

Journal of International Development, 32(5), 758-776.

https://gender.cgiar.org/publications/assessing-womens-empowerment-towards-conceptual-

framework

Mc, Oonagh & Una, Murray. (2020). Fit for measure? Evaluation in community development.

Community Development Journal. 56. 10.1093/cdj/bsaa005.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/

340830868_Fit_for_measure_Evaluation_in_community_development