There are many ways in which community development can be approached. This article will provide a focus on the 5 main principles which are involved in creating prosperous community development projects.
Community-driven development is based on participation, barrier removal, transparency, accountability, and local power for community members to work together in development projects.
Primary Beneficiaries
The primary beneficiaries are the target group of the project. In community development, the community on which the project is focused should be the primary beneficiaries. It is important to assess the value of resources and outcomes of the projects to be connected to the work and ensure it does not leave the community.
The primary beneficiaries are the group who needs a change in their circumstances and who the project should be focused on.
Local Resourcing
Locally led development ensures that every participating individual or organisation has a say in decisions affecting the community’s lives. Nobody in the community should be excluded or left out of decisions and discussions with community projects.
The projects should include local evaluation, assessment, and accountability to use community-based participatory research factors for the community to be engaged in the process. The community should be part of assessing the impact of the work done and share accountability for the project.
Implementation and Management
Implementation of wok and management should be locally led. An important aspect of local implementation and management is to not only employ local workers but also support local leadership, staff, and board members.
By implementing local management and workers in community projects, the aim of keeping the community’s interest at heart will be easily done with a successful outcome to their needs. This will also keep any funds aimed at the project in the community for further economic growth and prosperity.
Project Design and Planning
Community development and planning should consist of the involvement of the public and the community. It should be focused on using diverse community members to contribute toward the formulation of the objectives in the projects.
The design and planning of any community development project should be done with care and assistance from relevant and experienced individuals who are locally based. The planning should involve a vision to evaluate future opportunities from the projects and how they may affect everyone involved.
Controlling Transferred Resources
The system used in planning and creating the project should increase knowledge of the value of resources and transfer the most important assets of the project to the community. By transferring the assets, officials can take note of the project outcome and how projects can keep growing.
These are the most important principles involved in planning community development projects to get the best outcomes.