A short guide to community development

Alison GilchristFebruary 2014

Introduction and overviewMy background and journeyShort Guide to CD as basis for my inputDefinitions and termsDevelopment of ‘what’?History and models of CDPractice – principles and processesCurrent debates and dilemmasFuture challengesConclude with time for questions and discussion

Definitions and terms CD as working with, not for, communities to

achieve improvements and address shared issues

Problems, priorities and solutions determined by communities themselves

Emphasis on shared concerns and collective strategies

Values-based – social justice, inclusion and equality, human rights (small ‘p’ politics)

Brief history Several roots Three broad modelsPhilanthropyParticipationPartnershipPedagogyPolitics

Changing the system - radical

Influencing the system - pluralist

Making the system work better – consensus

CD as development of ‘community’Self-help, organising for influence and action

Sense of belonging and solidarity

EfficacyCapacityResilienceSocial capitalActive citizenshipCommunity

engagement

Shared identityCohesionWell-beingMutual care and

respect VolunteeringCommunity pride/spirit

Processes and practice: 7 E’s all focused on interests of others rather than ‘self’

EnablingEmpoweringEncouraging

EducatingEqualisingEngagingEvaluating

Various modelsCommunity organising/actionNeighbourhood developmentCapacity buildingInformal educationCommunity engagement/active citizenshipSocial investment/community enterpriseCritical community practice User empowerment/co-productionAsset-based community developmentParticipatory action researchNetworking approaches

Debates and dilemmasSpecialist occupation, approach or movement?

‘Deficits’ versus ‘strengths’ analysisPower dimensions – local -> global levelsSocial justice – various understandings Organic emergence or external interventionRole awareness/boundaries/responsibilitiesOrientation/accountabilities

Current and future challengesEmployment situation and status Changing society and technology Invisible/precarious/contested job

National occupational standards Maverick individuals

Management difficultiesDemonstrating impact/measuring

value Policy-driven, short term Not community-led and long-

termFunding and recognition of

professional role

Re-configuring ‘community’geography, interest and

identity Intersectional identities Increasing diversity and more

mobile communitiesRising inequalities and povertyEveryday Internet usage

Social media, on-line networking

Digital disadvantage

Some concluding thoughtsPolicy shifts in recent decades

Partnership – contracts, user involvement, V+CS commissioning

Community engagement/empowermentLocalism – planning, community-run servicesBig Society – self-help, volunteering

Paradox – best CD is invisible, so constantly needs re-discovering by successive governments and generations

Potential – massive and enduring

Resources and readingGilchrist and Taylor (2011) Short guide to community

developmentCraig et al (2011) CD in the UK – a readerLedwith (2005) Community development – a critical

approachwww.iacdglobal.orgwww.fcdl.org.ukwww.cdf.org.uk

Questions for reflection and discussion

Would you say you using a CD approach in your work or your life?

Thinking about your own experience, do you recognise the opportunities and issues I have raised?

What’s been useful and what’s missing?