COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Concepts

• It is the process through which the human being is assisted in his growth and
development within the scope of his potential (Depositario 1991)

• The process of assisting ordinary people to improve their own communities by

undertaking collective action (Twelvetrees 1991)

• It concerns with the development of attitudes, understanding and skills. These are
manifested by the change observed in people’s action such as cooperativeness and
social responsibilities (Benan 1968)

• A process which strengthens the “horizontal patter” of the community, that is the
relations of individuals, groups and organizations in local communities (Warren
1963)

• The process by which the efforts of the people themselves are united with those of
governmental authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions
of these communities into the life of the nation, and to enable them to contribute
fully to national progress. The complex of processes is then made up of two
essential elements: the participation of the people themselves and the provision of
technical and other services in ways which encourage initiative, self-help and
mutual aid and make this more effective (UN 1963)

• It is a planned and organized effort to assist individuals to acquire attitudes, skills

and concepts required for their democratic participation in the effective solution
of as wide a range of community improvement problems as possible in an order of
priority determined by their increasing levels of competence (Gales 1961)

• A process by which a community identifies its needs and objectives, orders (or
ranks) them, develops the will and confidence to work on them, and in so doing
extends and develops cooperative and collaborative attitudes and practices in the
community. The result of the community organization process is that the
community should be better equipped than at some previous stage, or before the
process began to identify and deal cooperatively and skillfully with its common
problems (Ross 1955)

• A movement designed to promote better living for the whole community with the
active participation, and if possible on the initiative of the community, but if this
initiative is forthcoming, by the use of techniques for arousing and stimulating it
in order to secure its active and enthusiastic response to the movement.

• The idea of a positive approach to the handling of affairs which aims at

developing the imitative of the individual and the community and at obtaining the
willing participation of the people in schemes for promoting their own betterment
 • The whole process of change and advancement considered in terms of progressive
well-being of society and the individual

• Nation-building from the “grassroots”

CD has been synonymous with community participation, extension, mass

education, fundamental education, rural reconstruction, rural development and social
development. Hence CD has been defined in several ways yet has the following common
elements:
- the concept of self-help
- the initiative comes from the people themselves and not imposed from
outside
- the process of stimulation by a change agent – the development worker
- the utilization of techniques and approaches to get cooperative support
from all sectors
CD in essence consist mainly of procuring, organizing, and utilizing local
resources such as materials, energy, people and information for the betterment of the
community.

CD promotes the acquisition, maturation and connection of community assests to

benefit the whole.

To sum up, CD as an approach abd as a strategy is about aided self-help which:

1. concerns social as well as economic development (integrated development)
2. challenges the status quo in societies, goes beyond distribution of resources in
communities to issues of re-distribution
3. involves participation by diverse interests in community affairs
4. builds democratic structures and accountability within community
organizations, emphasizes the need to develop community infrastructure, a
structure for social organization, as a vehicle for collective action
5. builds capacity and investment in communities; looks at the strengths and
assests in communities rather than community needs, problems and lack of
resources, considers the development of social capital as well as economic
capital
6. develops linkages: community development is tied to development planning

Therefore, community development produces SELF-RELIANT, SELF-

SUSTAINING AND EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES, which is also the overall goal of
community development focusing on the following:
- productivity
- equity
- access
- employment
- popular control
Various Interpretations of Community Development

As a Process (Phases or Stages)

CD as a process moves by sages from one condition or state to the next. It
involves a progression of change in terms of specified criteria. A neutral, scientific term,
subject to fairly precise definition and measurement expressed chiefly in social relations.
Emphasis is upon what happens to people – socially and or psychologically.

CD process moves from one stage to another stage improving the condition of the
community were major decisions are made by the people to effect change for and of
common concern.

As a Method (Process and Objective)

CD is a means to an end, a way of working so that some goal is attained. Other
methods may be supplementary to the CD methods, which seek to carry through the
stages suggested under process in order that the will of those using this method may be
carried out. The process is guided for a particular purpose, which may prove “harmful”
or “helpful” to the local community, depending upon the goal in view and the criteria of
the one passing judgment. Emphasis is upon some end.

As a Program (Method and Content)

The method is stated as a set of procedures and the content as a list of activities.
By carrying out the procedures, the activities are supposedly accomplished. When the
program is highly formalized as in many five-year plans, the focus tends to be upon the
program rather than upon what is happening to the people involved in the program. It is a
program that CD comes into contact with the subject matter specialties such as health,
welfare, agriculture, industry and recreation. Emphasis is upon activities.

As a Movement (Program and Emotional Dynamic)

CD is a crusade, a cause to which people become committed. Not neutral (like
process) but carries an emotional charge; one is either for it or against it. It is dedicated
to progress, a philosophic and not a scientific concept, since progress must be viewed
with reference to values and goals, which differ under different political and social
systems.

CD as a movement becomes institutionalized, building up its own organizational

structure, accepted procedure and professional practitioners. It stresses and promotes the
idea of community development.

Community Development Philosophy

“Man as the end goal of development as he views the improvement and

transformation of his community. As soon as this is done, development is conducted for
total community change resulting from a democratic form, which is participation with an
expression of self-reliance and initiative.”
Community Development Framework

People’s Empowerment, Initiative and Self-Reliance

Community Characterization (Profiling)
Problem Identification
Analysis
Prioritization
Conceptualization of Possible Solution through Development Thrusts
Management – people’s capability
Organizing – people’s prerogative to organize
Leadership – wider base of decision-making
Development Planning – participatory process
Evaluation – participatory evaluation system
Research – documentation of development of innovative models of
CD practices
Transform and mold development initiatives

Community Development Approaches and Strategies

Focus on the development of self confidence, encourage self awareness and instill
self-reliance to communities or societies which results to a collective institutionalization
and operationalization of community capabilities and wise use of available community
resources.
1. Participatory approaches – operationalize, implement and evaluate
a. Education therapy strategy for self-confidence and self-reliance
b. Behavioral change strategy to influence community change
c. Staff Supplement strategy to encourage voluntarism
d. Co-optation results to functional leadership and policy determining
structure of an organization
e. Power sharing strategy for appropriate delegation of authority
f. Confrontation strategy for immediate community action
g. Military for immediate compliance and execution or implementation
2. Integrated approach
a. Comprehensive, multi-faceted approach dealing with all aspects of
development
b. Looks at productivity and profitability
c. Leads to a desired social change
d. Support social and economic development
e. Enhance potential of people and community
f. Utilize participation and interdisciplinary integration
3. Gender in Development Approach
a. Welfare – better development
b. Emancipation – increase participation and harness labor
c. Equity – equity in development process
d. Anti-poverty – ensure and increase productivity
e. Efficiency – development for efficiency
f. Empowerment – empower women to become self-reliant
g. Integration – balance of roles and responsibilities
Elements of Community Development
(Burkey 1993, McKnight and Kretzman 1993
McKnight 1995, and Ronnby 1995, 1996)

• Build on Community Assets – Problems or unmet needs can be springboards to

action, but action occurs through the use of resources. A simple act

1. Joint effort to solve common problem democratically and scientifically on a

community basis
2. Activities must correspond to the basic needs of the community
3. Concerted action and the establishment of multi-purpose program
4. Revitalization of existing forms of local government and effective local
administration
5. Identification, encouragement and training of local leadership
6. Assistance from the government
7. Promotes self-help and self-reliance
8. Initiatives comes from the people themselves
9. Process of stimulation of a change agent
10. Adoption of consistent policies, specific administrative arrangement, training of
personnel, mobilization of local and natural resources
11. Adoption of voluntary NGO’s should be used at all levels
12. Mutual relationship and close co-ordination between the local and national level
Elements of Community Development
(Burkey 1993, McKnight and Kretzman 1993
McKnight 1995, and Ronnby 1995, 1996)

• Build on Community Assets – Problems or unmet needs can be springboards to

action, but action occurs through the use of resources. A simple act

1. Joint effort to solve common problem democratically and scientifically on a

community basis
2. Activities must correspond to the basic needs of the community
3. Concerted action and the establishment of multi-purpose program
4. Revitalization of existing forms of local government and effective local
administration
5. Identification, encouragement and training of local leadership
6. Assistance from the government
7. Promotes self-help and self-reliance
8. Initiatives comes from the people themselves
9. Process of stimulation of a change agent
10. Adoption of consistent policies, specific administrative arrangement, training of
personnel, mobilization of local and natural resources
11. Adoption of voluntary NGO’s should be used at all levels
12. Mutual relationship and close co-ordination between the local and national level