Community Action for Development Dr. C. Krishna Mohan Rao, Ph.D Centre Head, Research &Training AMR-APARD

Community Action for Development n What is community n What is development n What is community action

Community Community What comes first in your mind when you think or hear the word “COMMUNITY” ?

What is a Community A Community is a set of people living together with common interest” A Community is a set of people living together with common interest” We all live in a community. There are different things that bind us together. Let us try to identify them. We all live in a community. There are different things that bind us together. Let us try to identify them.  Territory  Sharing resources  Administrative unit  Language  Religion  Culture  Occupation

What is Development n Development means on overall positive change in the physical quality of life. This change for better encompasses both economic and social aspects.

Dimensions of Development n Development has two dimensions EconomicSocial n It implies an improvement in quality of life through better health, education, housing and overall material and social welfare.

Development Projects An analysis of development projects that have failed in the past shows that failure occurs because: n the people concerned were not involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes which affected their lives; n there was an insufficient level of participation of the beneficiaries.

Community Action n Community action refers to the process of building social relationships in pursuit of common community interests. n Community action is seen as being the foundation of the community development process. n Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people by providing these groups with the skills they need to affect change in their own communities.

Community Action Prepare to scale up Prepare to mobilize Organize the community For action Evaluate together Explore the common issue & Set priorities Act together Plan together

Steps in Community Action n Step 1: Identify the problem/issue. n Step 2: select a strategy to solve the problem n Step 3: Community Mobilization n Step 4: Implementation through people’s participation n Step 5: Assess the results and improve

Selecting Core Areas n Identify core areas of community development n Poverty n Health – Maternal and child mortality, HIV/AIDs, Malaria n Education – Pre-primary, primary, secondary n Women empowerment n Water and Sanitation n Prohibition of Alcohol n Agriculture and allied sector n Skill Improvement

Prepare to mobilize n Identify a common issue that the whole community can get involved n Gather information about the issue and the community n Identify resources and constraints

Select a strategy n Depending on problem, plan for community dialogue and select a strategy. n Some problems –require sensitization on the issue. –call for mobilization of community –need interaction with individual family members.

Community mobilization n A process whereby a group of people become aware of a shared concern or common need and decide to take action in order to create shared benefits. n A continual and cumulative process that involves communication, education, and organization, which together lead to community action and development.

Community Community mobilization Outside Group Mobilization Participation Empowerment Capacity building resources linkages

Key Task involved in Community Mobilization n Developing an on-going dialogue between community members n Creating or strengthening community organizations (Committees etc.) n Creating an environment in which individuals can empower themselves to address their own and their community’s needs n Promoting community members’ participation

Implementation n Implementation and constant monitoring n Assess the results n Revise the strategy wherever necessary n Scale up

Community mobilization – model film

Who are you? You are working for people, with people as a Bharat Nirman Volunteer, and so… What is your role? How can you help the people in the community?

Facilitator n A pearl is beautiful but alone it doesn't make a necklace. It is the thread which makes the necklace

A facilitator

Role of BNV BNV is community mobilizer. A mobilizer is a person who mobilizes, i.e. gets things moving. Social animator. A Catalyst BNV is community mobilizer. A mobilizer is a person who mobilizes, i.e. gets things moving. Social animator. A Catalyst n Bringing People Together n Building Trust n Encouraging Participation n Facilitating Discussion and Decision-making n Helping Things to Run Smoothly. n Facilitation in community mobilization process

Skills needed for BNV Attitudes include: n a willingness to examine and challenge their own assumptions, opinions and beliefs n a genuine respect for all community members n a non- judgmental and accepting approach n an understanding that different people have different views and perspectives n a belief in community capacity to take effective action.

…..continued Skills include: n good communication skills, especially listening n good facilitation skills to enable communities to conduct their own analysis of their lives and situations n techniques to help facilitation awareness of political, gender and cultural issues and relationships n an ability to challenge assumptions sensitively (e.g. about the role of women).

…continued Knowledge includes: n the community mobilization process n the principles of community mobilization n knowledge of Education related Issues and problems, causes and effects n understanding of the ethical issues related to community mobilization..

Conflict management n Conflict is an inevitable result of social interaction and is not necessarily negative. A distinction must be made between positive and negative aspects of conflict. When constructively managed, conflict may lead to clearer ideas, innovative solutions and increased effectiveness and commitment.

Factors contributing to conflict 1) Diverse groups 2) Strategic disagreement 3) Competition between groups 4) Unreasonable expectations 5) Lack of common understanding 6) Goal conflict 7) Poor communication skills 8) Unclear/unfair expectations 9) Power-plays and manipulation

Conclusion n Community action needs continuous efforts n Using its available resources for the community effectively n Obtaining support from the community, n Explore cooperation with other agencies.

Thank you