Importance of community participation in development projects.pdf

Economical development

1. Importance of
community participation
in development projects
DSU4621 - Participatory Communication for Development
Presentation by:
Mrs. K. G. S. A. Aravinda.
Reg No: 60730400

2. Living in the same geographical area
Share common problems and aspirations
Have similar development goals
Have similar interests and relationship at local level
Have a common way of communication
Sociologically and psychologically linked
A community is made of people or families who have the
following characteristics :
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY ?

3. A group of self- appointed citizens taking action on what they
see to be the interests of the whole community and putting on
pressure to improve the school, garbage collection do something
to bad roads etc.
THE TYPES OF COMMUNITY GROUPS
Pressure Groups
Exist to improve the welfare of a group e.g. feeding programs
Welfare Groups

4. Community participation can be loosely defined as the
involvement of people in a community in projects to
solve their own problems. People cannot be forced to
'participate' in projects which affect their lives but
should be given the opportunity where possible.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND ITS
IMPORTANCE

5. Community engagement can transform communities. By encouraging
public participation in projects that impact society it facilitates fair,
equitable, and sustainable outcomes. It is an essential decision-making
process for any organization, government, or individual that is driving
projects which will have an impact on the community.
Active community participation in project planning and implementation
may improve project design through the use of local knowledge; increase
project acceptability; produce a more equitable distribution of benefits;
promote local resource mobilization; and help ensure project
sustainability.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

6. THE IMPORTANT ROLES OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AND
PARTICIPATION IN ANY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT
The main purpose of community organizing is to bring the
community together to identify and solve their needs. It
also serves other specific roles, including: Encouraging
members of the community to be aware of their
environment and situations.

7. Participation transforms the democratic system, creating a
permanent connection between the governed and those who
govern. Public participation in decisions about development is
an important tool to achieve possible solutions which
promotes sustainable development.
WHY IS PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT?

8. Community empowerment allows community members to
expand their networks and meet new and influential people.
An empowered community can influence the social and
economic aspects to seek its rights. Furthermore, when
working with others for a common goal, individuals develop a
sense of worthiness.
THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

9. It is widely accepted by the international organization and Local
NGOs that community development is a fundamental instrument in
the development process/project. Various scholars and
organizations have shown the importance of community and its
participants in developing process. Some of the aspects related to
the importance of community participation in development
process is following. Firstly, it empowers the community in decision
making process which directly affects their life. It also satisfied the
citizens about the communities and development at large. So it is a
key to build an empowered responsible community.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

10. Secondly, sense of ownership is created by the community
participation in the development process. It provides a sense of
ownership as they think it is their own development. This sense of
ownership is not created by top down approach. Thirdly, sustainable
development continuity of development process is ensured by
community participation. Basically in community work the people are
involved from planning to implementing stage. It creates mutual
partnership. It creates mutual partnership between government/donors
and communities and it results in a suitable development.

11. Top – down – Approach
As a traditional approach the decisions are made by senior persons so called “
Experts.
Traditional approach we make decisions and Expert them to follow. All the
decision making and priorities are set by the external agency
1.
2. Bottom -Up Approach
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DIFFERENT SITUATION
The community develops self-reliance
The community develops critical awareness
The community develops Problem solving skills
AIMS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

12. Passive Participation
Active Participation
Community Involvement
TYPES OF PARTICIPATION
PASSIVE PARTICIPATION
In this type of participation individuals or families are mere
spectators

13. In this type of participation they may carrying out some tasks in a program but are not
involved with the final decision making in what is to be done.
The final decision in such cases are made by people who are not members of the
community in such situations, the community does not develop a sense of self- reliance.
In this type of participation the community is involved in a all aspect of a program.
This type of approach allow the community to participate willingly to improve its own
socio economic status.
It is important for a community to participate in every stage of any program for it to have
long lasting results. i.e. Thinking, planning, acting and evaluating.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

14. Involvement of all those affected in decision making about what should
be done and how.
DIMENSIONS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Community participation has three dimensions:
1.
2. Mass contribution to the development efforts i.e., to the implementation
of decision.
3. Sharing in the benefits of the program (World Bank, 1978).

15. Expressing opinions about desirable improvements , prioritizing goals and
negotiating with agencies
Formulating objectives, setting goals, targets
Raising awareness in a community about needs, establishing or supporting
organizational structures within community.
ACTIVITIES OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION NEEDS
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
PLANNING
MOBILIZING

16. Participation in formal or informal training activities to enhance
communication, Construction, maintenance and financial management
skills.
Engaging in management activities; contributing directly to constructions,
operation, and maintenance with the labor and materials ;contributing cash
towards cost, paying of services or membership fees of community
organizations.
TRAINING
IMPLEMENTING

17. Community participation motivates people to work together – people feel a
sense of community and recognize the benefits of their involvement
Social, Religious or traditional obligations for mutual help
Genuine community participation – people see a genuine opportunity to
better their own lives and for the community as a whole.
Remuneration in cash or kind.
INCENTIVES OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

18. Old Chinese Poem
Go to the people
Live among them
Learn from them
Love them
Start with what you know
Build on what they have;
But of the best leaders
When their task is accomplished
Their work is done
The people all remark
“We have done it ourselves.”

19. ThankThank
you !you !