Two awesome resources re: successful community initiatives
17:46, 12 May 2009
.. Posted in Development, Relief and Advocacy Efforts.. Link
There is no cut-and-paste strategy for community development or solving a community's problems, no one thing that will work everywhere. But strategies can be adapted from one area for application somewhere else, and it is always a great idea (not just good -- GREAT) to read what's been done elsewhere, in case there are approaches to adapt for your own use, or pitfalls that other initiatives experienced that you could plan to avoid.
I recently came across a web site chock-full of fantastic free and low-cost resources to be used regarding community development, produced by the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal. One of its resources is its FREE Tools & Techniques for Community Recovery & Renewal, a catalogue of over 60 specific methods that communities have used to enhance their economic and social well-being, often in the face of dire financial circumstances. It's a ready resource for anyone trying to strengthen or revitalize the economy of a town, neighborhood, or region. It's especially designed for the residents of such an area to use themselves. The tools include guidelines for conducting an Inventories of businesses, organizations, and skills, developing a literacy program, encouraging women entrepreneurship, developing a community revolving loan fund and oh so much more.
For communications tools and case studies relating to community and human development/empowerment, my favorite resource remains The Communication Initiative. If you work in communications for a nonprofit organization, non-governmental organization (NGO), school, university, aid agency or government program focused on helping communities or the environment, this resource is well worth your time to read regularly. Subscribe to the initiative's email newsletter, The Drum Beat, to know when new evaluations, case studies, reports and research have been added to the web site.
Take at least 30 minutes a week to shut your door, not answer your phone, not answer email, and, instead, to read these and other resources that can help you in your own work. It's time well spent!
