Community Development Practitioners Research Articles

Developing community resilience in the face of COVID-19: case study from the Estrie region, Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic undeniably impacted population health and several aspects of community organization, including service delivery and social cohesion. Intersectoral collaboration and equity, two key dimensions of community resilience, proved central to an effective and equitable response to the pandemic. Yet the factors that enabled or constrained communities' capacity to enact intersectoral collaboration and equity-focused action in such times of urgency and uncertainty remain poorly understood. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to (1) describe the processes through which intersectoral collaboration and equity-focused action were deployed during the first wave of COVID-19 and (2) identify factors enabling and constraining these processes. We conducted semi-directed interviews with 35 representatives of the governmental, institutional, and public and third sectors from four municipal regional counties of the Estrie region (Québec, Canada). We coded detailed interview notes following a codebook thematic analysis approach. We identified three processes through which intersectoral collaboration and equity-focused action were deployed: (1) networking; (2) adaptation, creation and innovation; and (3) human-centred action. Examples of levers which supported the deployment of these processes included capitalizing on pre-existing networks, adapting practices and services, and investing in solidarity and mutual aid. The influencing factors we describe represent concrete targets for resilience-building action. Although focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, our findings are relevant to other types of health, social, environmental or economic crises, and may guide health promotion and community development practitioners towards more effective community resilience-building responses.

Doing Well by Doing Good Innovations: Outcomes of The "LENTERA Sukamoro" Community Development Program

PT Bukit Asam Dermaga Kertapati Unit (PTBA Derti) is a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) in the coal mining business. As a coal distribution firm, PT Bukit Asam Unit Dermaga Kertapati is required to practice Corporate Social Innovation (CSI) and environmental social responsibility in the area surrounding its activities. The PTBA Derti CSI program is carried out in Sukamoro Village under the name "LENTERA Sukamoro". It focuses on community development that is commensurate with the community's social, economic, and environmental situations. This study aims to investigate, from the viewpoint of program participants, the results of a corporate social innovation (CSI) initiative in community development. Data was gathered through surveys, questionnaires, and in-depth interviews with 15 LENTERA Sukamoro program participants, PT Bukit Asam Dermaga Kertapati, and local government heads and officials. The study discovered that the "LENTERA Sukamoro" program from PTBA Derti was able to solve a variety of difficulties in Sukamoro Village, including a large number of housewives who do not have jobs or engage in productive activities, poverty, a lack of skills, and unproductive land issues. The "LENTERA Sukamoro" program enables the community to enhance its skills and capacities, raise income and welfare, and gain access to renewable energy. This study adds to the limited literature on CSI in Indonesia by examining how commercial organizations in the country contribute to community development through CSI. This study's findings should be valuable to community development practitioners, CSI providers, and researchers.

Implementability: a taxonomy of community development approaches

Abstract The selection of a community development approach often occurs in an information vacuum, rather than through an evidence-driven alignment with local needs. This study seeks to provide a guide to communities and community development practitioners choosing an approach that is relevant and implementable. The guidance results from a conceptual review of sources describing thirty-three distinct approaches to community development, drawing on an exhaustive scholarly and grey literature search. Five common components (factors relevant when choosing or implementing a community development approach) were identified in the thirty-three community development approaches. From these, three components are especially relevant to communities and community development practitioners: principles that underpin the work; conditions to be met to proceed or succeed; and processes that describe ‘how to’ do the work. The analysis reveals that one approach, Systems Practice, combines all three components, and suggests that more research is required into the relative merit of each component, and to see whether communities are, in practice, combining and hybridizing approaches. The results are presented as a taxonomy to offer broad guidance to community development practitioners, scholars, and policy writers seeking to distinguish between the multiplicity of approaches.

Complexities and Challenges Affecting the Progress of Community Development in South Africa’s Changing Sociopolitical Landscape

This article shows the strategic, institutional approach the South African government took in creating and professionalising an occupational group—community development workers (CDWs), later community development practitioners (CDPs)—as part of its human resource planning for the social development sector. It highlights the complexities and challenges affecting the progress of community development, not least adequate funding for CDPs employed in local municipalities that, in turn, had to budget and plan for the operation and delivery of services in partnership with the nongovernment sector. It begins with an examination of policy definitions of community development before discussing the ever-changing political landscape and community–government nexus. It highlights community development’s entanglement with government policy and service provision and the community development infrastructure that opened doors for CDPs. It then discusses the policy-led changes shaping community development as a recognised occupation, the legislative requirements for professionalisation and progress towards meeting these. Finally, it suggests that future progress rests on the development of a comprehensive practice framework that addresses not only individual practitioner standards but also the obligations of employers to create an environment conducive to empowering transformative community development programmes in partnership with communities, relevant stakeholders and local organisations.

Implementing a Senior Community Care Model: An Italian Top‐Down Cohousing Project and Nursing Home

Not ageing in place is an increasing reality for many older Europeans. For several decades societies have applied different care models in developing initiatives to provide safe and age-friendly spaces. This article presents the community care model implemented by the Italian service provider ISRAA in Treviso (Italy) in one of its nursing homes and senior cohousing projects. The aim of our study was to analyse this senior community care model and find out how residents have responded to it. Participants were both the older adult residents in the two ISRAA facilities and professionals responsible for their social attention. A qualitative methodology was used: questionnaire, interviews, and focus groups with professionals and care facility residents. Results reveal the care philosophy implemented, residents’ experiences, the main barriers to creating a community, and how this model could be improved by following community development principles, with the older people’s help, participation, and engagement. The conclusions highlight the importance of applying principles of self-determination and social inclusion in a preventive care model for the senior community. In addition, a key factor in promoting community development is for professionals to act as community development practitioners and to allow older adults to be part of the change.

Transformasi Sosial Perempuan Kepala Keluarga melalui Program PEKKA

Purpose: The Women-Headed Household Empowerment Programme (PEKKA) aims to improve the welfare and economic independence of women headed households through improved skills and market access. Methodology: This study was conducted using a participatory action research approach in a community of women headed family. The methods used included practical training in product packaging and digital marketing strategies, particularly the use of social media. The study also adopted surveys and interviews to collect data. Results/Findings: Results showed significant improvements in the ability of female-headed households to produce and market products, leading to increased income. Social impacts noted included a reduction in school dropout rates and unemployment among the families involved. Limitations: The study was limited to a specific region, so the results may not be directly applicable to different contexts without customisation. Contribution: The findings provide important insights for policymakers and community development practitioners in designing economic empowerment programmes focused on female-headed households, with potential application in other regions.

Recent Innovations in Reducing Home Energy Costs and Improving Resilience for Low- and Moderate-Income Renters and Homeowners

Community Development (CD) practitioners across the western U.S. are engaging in new efforts to reduce energy costs and improve resilience for low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities and other populations that face barriers to economic participation and household financial stability. Energy costs and resilience are factors in housing stability, which impacts economic participation. New federal and state funding sources, as well as growing involvement from philanthropy and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-motivated investors, have prompted growth in energy cost savings and resilience (ECSR) options for LMI households. To help scale this work, CD practitioners are experimenting with partnerships—between workforce development providers and employers, mission-driven lenders and nonprofits, state government and utilities, retrofit companies and the public sector, state government and municipalities, to name a few. These partnerships have led to innovations in lending (for homeowners, renters, and landlords), technical implementation of retrofits, coordination across programs, consumer protection, workforce development, and technical assistance (TA) for CD practitioners. This brief provides descriptive findings from focus groups and interviews about ESCR-related work in the CD field and discusses takeaways for policy and practice.

Recent Innovations in Reducing Home Energy Costs and Improving Resilience for Low- and Moderate-Income Renters and Homeowners

Community Development (CD) practitioners across the western U.S. are engaging in new efforts to reduce energy costs and improve resilience for low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities and other populations that face barriers to economic participation and household financial stability. Energy costs and resilience are factors in housing stability, which impacts economic participation. New federal and state funding sources, as well as growing involvement from philanthropy and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-motivated investors, have prompted growth in energy cost savings and resilience (ECSR) options for LMI households. To help scale this work, CD practitioners are experimenting with partnerships—between workforce development providers and employers, mission-driven lenders and nonprofits, state government and utilities, retrofit companies and the public sector, state government and municipalities, to name a few. These partnerships have led to innovations in lending (for homeowners, renters, and landlords), technical implementation of retrofits, coordination across programs, consumer protection, workforce development, and technical assistance (TA) for CD practitioners. This brief provides descriptive findings from focus groups and interviews about ESCR-related work in the CD field and discusses takeaways for policy and practice.

Pengembangan Pemasaran Digital Dan Desain Pengemasan Jamu Gendong Desa Rejoagung, Ploso, Jombang

Jamu Gendong is a traditional herbal beverage that has become an integral part of Indonesia's cultural heritage and ancestral knowledge. This dedication aims to develop effective digital marketing and packaging design for Jamu Gendong products in the village of Rejoagung. The method used, known as Assets Based Community Development (ABCD), involves a collaborative approach to community development, engaging researchers, local communities, and Jamu Gendong business practitioners. The implementation of more appealing digital marketing and packaging design is expected to enhance the product's competitiveness, expand the market, and provide positive impacts on the economy and culture of Rejoagung Village. This dedication has yielded significant advancements for Jamu Gendong sellers in terms of packaging design and marketing strategies, thus enabling market expansion and boosting the success of the Jamu Gendong business in Rejoagung Village.

Community capacity for social enterprise development: Empirical evidence from community forest enterprises (CFEs) in Cameroon

With increasing forest devolution globally, community forest enterprises (CFEs) are emerging as potential options for local development based on forest resources. CFEs trade to meet their economic, social, and environmental goals; however, empirical studies have highlighted capacity deficiencies as key drawbacks to their development. Knowledge of what these capacity gaps are is low. This paper uses a systematic framework to explore capacity and deficiencies in capacity and the relation between the two within CFEs in Cameroon. Using the contextualised organisational capacity theory in combination with asset-based mobilisation theory, data was gathered from 31 CFEs based on focus group discussions. Principal component analysis and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate community capacity at individual, organisational (CFE), and network levels. Pearson correlation tests were used to explore the relationships between different domains of community capacity. The results indicate that community members and development practitioners agree that communities are weak in creating partnerships, networking, and resource mobilisation. The participatory community evaluation highlights major capacity gaps in infrastructure, members' skills and knowledge, and sense of community. This confirms that capacity gaps were larger at the individual and social network level, while organisational capacity scored higher except for a sense of community and resource mobilization. Although the community capacities at the individual level are generally low, these capacities correlate strongly with organisational capacity. The potential of the CFEs to meet objectives depends a lot on the capacities of individual members and networking capacity, indicating that these should be prioritised in development efforts, which should involve multiple stakeholders, with policy support and participation by the entire community.

Upgrade Student Engagement in Online Discussion

This case study specifically examines flaws in the design of online conversations created using Salmon's five-stage model, and highlights how easy it is to overlook key aspects when planning an online campaign. In the case study, the topics chosen for discussion failed to resonate with many students on a personal level. This demonstrates the importance of identifying flaws in the design of online conversations created using Salmon's five-stage model and highlights how easily these issues can be overlooked during event planning. It emphasizes the concept that participation is a prerequisite for community development. This article, therefore, explores how skilled community development practitioners can effectively address and overcome barriers to participation by stimulating personal and emotional interest. By understanding the importance of relationships and emotional engagement, educators can create online activities that truly motivate and engage students, resulting in a more vibrant and engaging online learning community.

The Ubuntu Philosophy in Community Development in Iyowa Community, Edo State, Nigeria.

Purpose: The concept of Ubuntu philosophy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of communal relationships, has gained attention in various fields, including community development. The Sustainable Development Report 2019 points out that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) might not be achieved, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a gap in the literature on how Ubuntu philosophy has been applied in practice in community development initiatives. The extent to which Ubuntu philosophy has been applied in community development initiatives in different regions and contexts remains unclear. The main objectives of this study is to focus the Ubuntu philosophy on community development in Iyowa Community.
 Methodology: The research design for this study was qualitative in nature, using a phenomenological approach. The sample size for this study was 30 participants, including community leaders, development practitioners, and community members. Participants will be selected based on their knowledge and experience with Ubuntu philosophy and community development. The study used purposive sampling to select participants who had experience in community development and are familiar with the Ubuntu philosophy.
 Findings: The study found that there was good knowledge of the Ubuntu philosophy among community members. Based on the Ubuntu Philosophy, there was increased collaboration in the community has led to access to resources like water, roads, community security, and other amenities that have aided in community development. There was a mixed feeling on whether the Ubuntu Philosophy had ushered in development in Iyowa Community. While some acknowledge that it has greatly aided in bringing about community development, others believe it has only helped a little, and some feel it has made a small contribution but is not enough. 
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: In conclusion, the Ubuntu Philosophy has been successful in fostering a sense of unity and collective responsibility among community members, which has enabled them to achieve common goals and support each other during difficult times, and has had a positive impact on community development in Iyowa community and that the government creates an enabling environment for community development initiatives.

Domestic Migration and Integration of Religious Diaspora: Global experiences can benefit the shaping of internal relationships in Indonesia

Many Balinese Hindus have migrated to East Kalimantan for official assignments, as part of transmigration programs, and for advancing economic opportunities, thus initiating a domestic Balinese diaspora. This diaspora maintains its identities and practices, as in Bali, and seeks to replicate Balinese symbols and practices when connecting with other Hindu communities from different cultures and traditions. This article sheds light on “Bali-centrism” and “quasi-exclusiveness” when the Balinese diaspora interacts with non-Balinese Hindus within East Kalimantan. The authors argue that Bali-centrism and Balinization might alienate and socially exclude non-Balinese Hindus from mainstream Hindu development. To cope with the grief of losing Hindu ‘friends’ from another tradition, a mindset shift is required. Furthermore, with the relocation of the Indonesian capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara, the influx of various ethnic and religious groups, including Hindu adherents, would be unavoidable, although admittedly it is impossible to know at this juncture about the eventual admixture of administration, commerce and culture that the city would comprise. The authors propose a “salad bowl” concept to build Hindu communities in a multicultural state with its new capital city. To augment understanding of the multiplicity of components and attributes influencing a diasporic community, the authors have drawn from applicable, non-religious diasporic experiences as well as from the historical manoeuvring of different religious groups globally; this knowledge may help researchers and community development practitioners understand the prevalence of bonding issues and interaction by sects within all religions.

"Strategies that Promote Sustainability of Community Development Projects in Southeast Nigeria"

"Project sustainability is a concern for community development practitioners. An aspect of community development is sustainability which implies that benefits derived from executed projects are maintained and continue as long as the project exists. The strong commitment of the local people, leadership and other local resources are needed to resuscitate executed projects in the community. This study explores strategies for promoting the sustainability of community development projects in South east Nigeria. The study adopted cluster and purposive sampling techniques. A total of eight communities from four Local Government Areas (LGAs) from two states in Southeast Nigeria were sampled for the study. The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) served as data collection instruments. The study sample size comprised 88 participants. The information produced for the research was analyzed thematically. Findings showed that while the numerous community development projects in the study areas can account for some developmental interest, they also created opportunities for neglect. To promote the sustainability of community development projects, a holistic approach is crucial and interventions must be indigenous and people-oriented. Also, social workers need to create dialogue forums with community members to help attain the goal of project sustainability. "

Focus Group Discussion: A Research Method in Community Development

This paper is based on recent consensus among development practitioners that for development to be meaningful, it must adopt the bottom-up and community-driven approach. Researchers in community development most often use Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in researches meant to achieve bottom-up and community-driven development through research. They often use this method exclusively or as a complementary tool to collect in-depth information directly from the subjects of a research. For a better understanding, simplified and correct use of the method, this paper presents knowledge on operationalization of focus group discussion as research method in community development. The authors concluded that community development experts, practitioners and researchers need the knowledge as presented in this paper to effectively use focus group discussion to promote bottom-up and community-driven development through research.

EXPLORING APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Community development practitioners had evolved various approaches to achieve the desired level of development and improvement in human lives. In Nigeria, governmental and non-governmental organizations have adopted various approaches in the process of national development. However, many development efforts had failed to achieve desired goals due to the usage of wrong approaches. This paper, therefore, discussed various approaches to community development towards national development. In doing this the authors identified two major approaches relevant to national development in Nigeria. Based on the available knowledge from the use of the approaches and the methods, this paper concluded that community development and its approaches possess the potential for the effective achievement of national development goals.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0900/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Learning to be ethical: the role of ethical capability in community development education

AbstractIn the complex practices of development, ethical decisions are continually demanded of practitioners. This paper addresses the process of teaching ethics, within a framework of applied ethics and with an emphasis on the development of an understanding of ethics-in-practice in current and future practitioners. Building on recent work in the area of ethics in development and humanitarian practice, it addresses approaches to teaching professional ethics in community development and other fields, and debates about the value of teaching ethics. In particular, this article discusses how students develop what we call ‘ethical capability’—the cognitive and emotional resources needed to negotiate the contradictions and dilemmas of everyday practice, and to apply ethical decision-making models. Analysing a current post-graduate applied development ethics course and experience of similar courses in undergraduate business, we investigate how these can prepare students for the messy reality of community development practice. With very few courses teaching ethics in development, we propose that it is important to enhance ethical capability in community development students and practitioners, and that doing so supports their work and wellbeing.

Everyday ethical challenges for Indian community development practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Drawing upon empirical evidence and using Sarah Banks’s concept ‘ethics work’ as a conceptual approach, the article examines the ethical dilemmas facing community development practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article attempts to understand the everyday experience of community development practitioners working with Dalits, women, and labour migrants in India. Further, given these communities’ social and economic vulnerabilities, the article tries to comprehend how practitioners’ engagement with these communities during the COVID-19 response exposed them to various ethical dilemmas. The article also traces negotiation and navigation strategies for dealing with ethical dilemmas and delivering services in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic in ways that promote human dignity.

Towards a community-based ethical contract

Abstract This article argues that to be effective, community development ethics need to be embedded in community development practice. In the professional experience of the authors, ethics are often said by community development practitioners to be important in theory but may seem abstract or have little impact on day-to-day work. We therefore argue that to bridge that gap between theory and practice the establishment of an ethical contract between community workers and the groups that they work with should be seen as an indispensable element of good practice. We suggest that for an ethical contract to be effective it should be established by workers and community groups working in inclusive and participative ways. This will increase the degree to which ethical practice is understood and owned by all participants and opens up opportunities for practice to be accountable to everyone involved in the community development process and not just professional workers. Drawing on human rights literature and insights from popular education, the article highlights the ways in which using a static ethics framework (such as a statement of ethical principles or code of ethics) may reinforce existing power imbalances and inadvertently disempower communities. It explores how establishing a dynamic ethical contract between practitioners and the groups they work with offers greater potential for embedding ethical practice in community development work.

A national higher education analysis of the skills, knowledge, and values essential for students in Community Development Education

ABSTRACT The growing discipline of Community Development plays a vital role in addressing urban and rural community issues within the United States, and globally. Still, as Hains et al. pointed out in their 2020 article, there continues to be no consistent education or pedagogical practices available for future Community Development practitioners during students’ higher education experience. Thus, researchers conducted a modified Delphi study with an expert panel of Community Development educators from institutions of higher education across the United States. Upon culmination of three examining rounds, experts achieved consensus on 21 skills, 14 knowledge constructs and 17 values deemed essential for inclusion in Community Development Education curriculum in higher education. Ideally, including these constructs in a more coherent CD Education curriculum will lead to more consistently and effectively trained future Community Development practitioners. Implications, field application and future research are further discussed.