Community Mobilization Model & Approaches

Community A group of people having something in common and will act together in their own interest -place they live -the people they work with -religious group - the people they go to school with

Community Mobilization A participatory and transformative process -Increases a community sense of ownership -Shifting communities from recipients to active planners in the health and wellbeing of its members -Strengthen and enhance community’s ability to work together

Guiding Principles Gender Equity Youth Empowerment Leadership, Responsibility, Accountability Flexible, Adaptable, and Sensitive Approach Community-Oriented Results-Driven Collective Emphasis Respecting, Honoring, and Renewing Cultural Tradition Streamlining, Mainstreaming and Integrating

Community Mobilization Model Initiating action Maintaining momentum Achieving results Reflecting, recognizing, celebrating Renewing the cycle START: Pre-assessment Building relationships Identifying concerns Exploration Planning and prioritizing

Features of Effective Prevention Programs Programs developed in collaboration with the target group (more effective than programs developed and delivered by outsiders) Interactive activities (more effective than those that are aimed at information giving alone) Programs that address multiple determinants of behaviour change (more effective than those that address only one)

Features cont… Programs that utilize a structured approach or curriculum (more effective than those without a well defined format) Programs involving multiple contacts with the same participants (more effective than one time only programs)

Commonly used Approaches Community Conversations Peer education Counseling Focus Group Discussion One on One Theatre Mass activities

Community Conversations Strengths Weaknesses Diverse opinions or views Diverse target group Participants free to participate Address multiple topics (underlying factors) Effective in collective change of community norms Encourages openness (common language & setting) Dominance by other members

Peer Education Strength Weaknesses Encourages openness due to trust Same level of understanding of issues Influences behaviour change Stimulates collective action Helps to keep the “WE” feeling Promotes a sense of belonging Dominance by other members

Focus Group Discussion Strength Weakness Economical & effective Yields lively interaction leading to discussion & debate Allows participants to formulate opinions Common understanding of issues Promotes a sense of belonging Dominance by other members e.g by peer educator / member

One on One Strengths Weaknesses Encourages openness Able to establish trust (confidentiality assured) Non verbal communication Allows for probing Time consuming Can encourage dependency

Theatre Strengths Weaknesses Edutainment (reducing boredom) Depicts real life situations Message easily remembered No interaction (unless there are follow up activities)

Mass activities Strengths Weaknesses Pulls a large number of participants Once off event Challenges in following up participants Main message not well taken by participants