Features and Considerations of Community Development

As a result of constantly changing or emerging community platforms, the frameworks of community development must be allowed to evolve. They should include more than consultation and embrace strategies that move beyond traditional engagement practices. Recent examples of successful global community actions show that these strategies must be grown organically and draw from those at the heart of any shared purpose. For this to work effectively, it should be prepared to embrace growth.

A community that is seeking to expand its numbers is one that is committed to a full understanding of its purpose. As new members engage with a community they bring new information, new experiences, and new ideas. Ultimately, outreach brings a broader consensus when it comes to community actions - a fairer, more democratic community, with fresh voices and a dynamic, strategic approach to achieving their goals.

Community Development Strategies

Communities develop around common purposes, whether it is the need for the improvement of local amenities, the empowerment of a demographic, or advocacy of a particular cause. But action on behalf of such causes is often the culmination of a long process of refinement. There are a few features and community development strategies of this process that are worthy of attention:

Agreeing on a Common Purpose

The initiative toward the development of a community is brought about from an initial agreement on the cause. On the face of it, this agreement - a definition of the cause itself - might appear static. But in reality, even geographically based communities must constantly redefine the common purpose as new members join. As the community develops, this democratic process of redefinition will become embedded in how the community functions.

Opening Opportunities for Idea Generation

A community can be complex when it comes to idea generation. Unlike business or individual enterprise, a community must allow for input from all members or it will risk being undermined. Though the process is not always straightforward, the rewards are manifold.

Among the most important of these rewards is the opportunity for member empowerment. Any community forum or platform where members can contribute is a chance for members to invest emotionally. In constantly seeking space for individuals to share their insights and suggestions, there is a chance for further member participation.

Trust Building Between the Community and Agencies

As members are often passionate about their community there can sometimes be high emotions. This is an important factor in driving campaigns and initiatives but it can have the unfortunate side-effects of mistrust and exclusion. Without combating these side-effects, a community risks stagnation and disruption.

It is important, then, that any opportunities to build trust within the community are taken. This also opens the community to extended networks of other communities that have intersecting causes. It is possible to harness the potential of such trust to build and expand the community and enlist the support of those who would otherwise be excluded.

Building Infrastructure

Though the focus of any community development strategy should remain on the concerns and issues facing its members, for any strategy to succeed it should have organisation. Without organisation, a community may decline in vitality. What is needed are key roles within the community that will maintain it and drive it forward.

An appropriate and recognisable infrastructure adds legitimacy to a community in the eyes of those it seeks to engage with. Communities that forego assigned roles or at least administration will lose the trust of outside agencies and undermine engagement within the community itself.

Decisive Action

Once an infrastructure and support network is in place for a community, it may move forward with its plans or initiatives. Any actions taken must be done so confidently and without undue hesitation. Refining the needs and ideas of a particular community cause will have already ensured the backing of all members and so it is wise to push forward with the action to reward their trust.

Further Steps

Whilst it is very important to celebrate victories or achievements within a community, a timely review of community action must be completed. This must be taken as soon as possible while details are fresh in the mind of all involved. There must be a realistic appraisal of both the benefits and the drawbacks of particular initiatives. As always this ought to draw on the thoughts of a community but must always be given a constructive framework so successes may be built on and losses may be learnt from.