Principles of Community Development and Challenges Facing Deprived Communities

Abstract

Principles of community development are vital for community practice and for social work practice in general. They are grounded in ethical standards and values, and we might notice that there is a consensus about their content. In general, we might say that there are following groups of principles of community development and community practice: holistic sustainable community development, development based on local resources and capacities, participation in community development, strengthening social capital and community relations, adhering to human rights and social justice and eliminating inequalities, inclusion, nurturing diversity and a culture of non-violence and community ownership and autonomy towards the surrounding environment. However, it is a challenge to pursue these principles in deprived communities. Deprived communities have specific dynamic both within its structures and also with its environment. These challenges are connected with the oppression of the community; they are related to oppressive relationships within the community and social disorganisation, reduced social cohesion and insufficient community participation and reduced sense of belonging to and experiencing the community. In this chapter, authors will elaborate more specifically these challenges and underpin the arguments with empirical data. Finally, authors suggest more specific principles of community development specifically referring to deprived communities. These principles demonstrate necessity to establish a balance between trust and change as crucial for leading development further.