FEACTURES AND OUTCOMES OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Community development is a dynamic and participatory process aimed at improving the social, economic, and environmental well-being of communities. In every effort, there should be the product of that engagement,  some go for community development where outcomes are expected. 

Features of Community Development.

1. Collective Action- refers to the collaborative efforts of individuals, groups, and organizations working together to address common challenges or advance shared goals within a community. It involves pooling resources, expertise, and efforts to achieve collective impact and create positive social change. 

2. Needs Orientation-  refers to an approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the actual needs and priorities of a community in a participatory and inclusive manner. It involves engaging community members to better understand their challenges, aspirations, and desired outcomes, and using this information to guide development efforts. 

3. Integrated Approach- refers to a holistic and comprehensive strategy that addresses multiple dimensions of community well-being simultaneously by combining various sectors, interventions, and stakeholders. It recognizes that social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors are interconnected and require coordinated efforts to achieve sustainable development outcomes. 

4. Action of grassroots level- refers to the initiatives and activities implemented by community members themselves, often in collaboration with local organizations, to address issues and bring about positive change within their communities. Grassroots action is characterized by its bottom-up and participatory nature, with community members taking the lead in identifying problems, formulating solutions, and implementing projects that meet their specific needs. 

5. Asset Based- is an approach to community development that focuses on identifying and mobilizing the existing assets, strengths, and resources within a community. It shifts the traditional deficit-based perspective that solely focuses on community needs and deficiencies and instead emphasizes the capabilities, skills, knowledge, talents, and relationships that individuals, associations, and institutions possess. 

6. Democratic- refers to the inclusive participation and decision-making processes that involve the entire community in addressing local issues, implementing development projects, and promoting social progress. It is rooted in the belief that community members should have a say in shaping their futures and determining the direction of their neighborhoods, towns, or cities. 

7. Objective Orientation- It is important to deliberate on what there is to achieve as a community project. Goals should be realistic and the smart approach is the best way of making community projects possible. When objectives are vague, collective action. 

Outcomes of Community Development.

1. Further Development- refers to the continuous progress, improvement, and expansion of initiatives and activities aimed at promoting the well-being and growth of a community of a community. It involves building upon existing efforts, addressing emerging challenges, and exploring new opportunities for positive change within the community. 

2. Awareness creation- refers to the process of raising consciousness, knowledge, and understanding among community members about specific issues, challenges, or opportunities that affect their well-being and development. It involves disseminating information, promoting education, and fostering a sense of understanding and concern within the community. 

3. Demonstration effects- refer to the phenomenon where positive changes or successful outcomes observed in one community or project inspire and motivate other communities or projects to replicate or adapt similar strategies and practices. It is based on the belief that seeing tangible examples of successful development initiatives can encourage and mobilize others to take similar actions. 

4. Learning-  participating in community development allows one to learn grow and become successful in many spheres of life. 

5. Community Building-  an area of activities aimed at building or strengthening a sense of community among people living in a neighborhood or sharing a common interest. There are occasions when it falls under the purview of community development. 

Feature and Outcomes of Community Development that were visible at Imbadu.

During my practicum at Imbadu, several features of community development were evident, particularly highlighting both strengths and challenges.

Collective Action

Imbadu's structure allowed for some collective action, but the decision to appoint a single representative for members limited broader participation. This arrangement left many feeling excluded, hindering collaborative efforts to address shared challenges. The lack of involvement in meetings diminished the sense of ownership and shared purpose among members.

Needs Orientation

The organization's approach appeared to lack a strong needs orientation. Many members felt disconnected, partly because their specific needs and challenges were not actively solicited or addressed. The absence of inclusive dialogues to understand member priorities meant that the initiatives may not fully resonate with their aspirations.

Integrated Approach

Imbadu struggled with implementing an integrated approach. Workshops and engagements often failed to consider the interconnectedness of social, economic, and cultural factors affecting members. This oversight led to a fragmented experience where solutions did not address the broader context of community well-being.

Action at the Grassroots Level

While there were some grassroots initiatives, the top-down decision-making process overshadowed these efforts. Members expressed a desire to lead projects that directly addressed their issues, but the lack of empowerment limited the potential for grassroots action to thrive.

Asset-Based Development

The focus at Imbadu seemed more on addressing deficiencies rather than leveraging existing community assets. By not recognizing and mobilizing the strengths and talents within the community, the organization missed opportunities to build on local resources, which could have enhanced participation and engagement.

Democratic Processes

The democratic feature was undermined by the exclusion of many members from key discussions. Without inclusive participation, the decision-making processes felt unrepresentative, fostering feelings of inequality among members who perceived themselves more as employees than equal participants in the community.

Objective Orientation

The objectives set by Imbadu were often vague, lacking clarity and realism. This ambiguity made it difficult for members to engage in collective action, as they were unsure of the goals and outcomes expected from their participation. A more focused approach could have improved alignment and motivation within the community.

Outcomes that were visible at Imbadu.

Further Development

Imbadu showed potential for further development, but progress was often hampered by a lack of inclusive participation. Initiatives that aimed to promote community well-being were sometimes limited in scope, focusing on immediate needs rather than long-term growth and expansion. Addressing emerging challenges was not always prioritized, which restricted opportunities for positive change.

Awareness Creation

Awareness creation was an area where Imbadu had room for improvement. While some efforts were made to inform members about ongoing projects, many still felt uninformed about key issues affecting their community. A lack of clear communication and educational initiatives limited members' understanding and engagement, resulting in a community that was not fully aware of the challenges or opportunities before them.

Demonstration Effects

There were few demonstration effects visible during my time at Imbadu. Successful initiatives or positive changes did not consistently inspire other members or neighboring communities to replicate those strategies. This was partly due to a lack of visibility and recognition of successful projects, which meant that members were not motivated to take similar actions based on observed successes.

Learning

The potential for learning was present, but the environment did not fully facilitate it. Members had opportunities to gain insights through participation, yet the limited engagement in discussions and workshops restricted broader learning experiences. The disconnect in language and communication further inhibited knowledge sharing, preventing members from fully benefiting from the learning opportunities available.

Community Building

Community building efforts at Imbadu were somewhat successful, as there was a desire among members to connect and collaborate. However, the top-down approach to decision-making often undermined these efforts, leaving some members feeling marginalized. While activities were organized to foster a sense of community, the lack of equal participation diminished their impact and the overall sense of belonging among members.

References.

Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1978). Organizational Learning: A Theory of Action Perspective. Addison-Wesley.

Harrison, P. (2014). The Role of Grassroots Movements in Development. Development Studies Research, 1(1), 27-38.

Kretzmann, J. P., & McKnight, J. L. (1993). Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets. Asset-Based Community Development Institute.

McMillan, D. W., & Chavis, D. M. (1986). Sense of Community: A Definition and Theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14(1), 6-23.

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