Implementing Community Development strategies

Amrit Versha

Models of Community Development

Radical approach Social change (Approaches that work outside of dominant system)

Explore alternative organisational structures and ways of operating (Result- Cooperatives, collectives, shared learning and leadership type structures will be created)

Professional Community Development approach

Seek better “fit” between individual and the community.

See service provider deliver a more effective service. (Skill development)

Social Planning

Traditional approach where worker facilitates small groups and then they run themselves after a time. (Top down approach)

Liaising with Government, policy makers and service providers on behalf of.

Service approach

Use current resources/skills to support community, its service driven and need driven. No need to influence policy or make changes.

Establishment of play groups, parent groups,

Influence approach

Need can only be met by modifying policy

Lobbying, campaign, street marches, petitions

Process versus product (relationships)

Process focus (how things are done)- Increase confidence, empowerment, skill development, attitude change

Product (outcomes focus)- Community empowerment is both a process and an outcomeEnd result e.g stopping the closure of a school. Empowerment can be both process and product (outcome)

Inter-connectedness principle of Human development (WHO)

How were they addressed collectively (cyclical group process) • Issue identified• Contacting/bringing people and conducting an

analysis of needs• Identifying what needs to be done• Identifying goals and strategies • Determining priorities, developing alternatives,

designing a plan of action and strategies • Carrying on the tasks • Evaluation

Individual and collective strategies

• Video – Digital story on Yellow card and DV support

Play your cards right

How were individual issues made collective ?

What are the issues for individual women in this story?

• Safety• Support • Information/access to services

Digital story – Assessment

Kim and Harley

Assessment • Focus and find out more information on an issue you choose out of this story.

• You will then bring a community development focus to this issue by taking this issue to you local community and/or cultural settings.

• You will prepare a report on this issue.

• The report will address how this issue affects your local community and cultural settings

• How community development work has and can influence this issue.

Report • Name the issue• Choose a target group• Choose a community • Find out more about the issue• Find out who the stakeholders are• Find out what has been done on the issue?• What has changed for the community?• What needs to be changed?• What is your framework - principles and approaches will you

use/apply to work on this issue with this target group?• What is the context of the issue in the broader social, economic and

political climate?