Mobilizing a community for self-financed projects
is a process. It must be conducted with trust, honesty, and
inclusion. The community must feel a sense of ownership in the process,
which is established when the person in charge of the mobilization listens to
their views and opinions. Receiving input from a community can take time,
particularly if the person in charge of the mobilization is new to the
area. However, listening to the community is integral to a project’s
sustainability and to fostering community ownership.
is a process. It must be conducted with trust, honesty, and
inclusion. The community must feel a sense of ownership in the process,
which is established when the person in charge of the mobilization listens to
their views and opinions. Receiving input from a community can take time,
particularly if the person in charge of the mobilization is new to the
area. However, listening to the community is integral to a project’s
sustainability and to fostering community ownership.
However in mobilizing a community for self financed
and sustainable environmental projects, the following steps must be followed:
and sustainable environmental projects, the following steps must be followed:
The first
step in mobilizing the community is to orient them to the process. This
can be done in a number of ways, including written communication, television,
radio, or an organized meeting. Meetings are more personal and conducive
to building relationships. They also facilitate two-way communication
where questions can be answered efficiently. It is advisable to start
these meetings as soon as possible, so that trust and a positive working
relationship can be built between parties.
step in mobilizing the community is to orient them to the process. This
can be done in a number of ways, including written communication, television,
radio, or an organized meeting. Meetings are more personal and conducive
to building relationships. They also facilitate two-way communication
where questions can be answered efficiently. It is advisable to start
these meetings as soon as possible, so that trust and a positive working
relationship can be built between parties.
Arrange a Meeting
Having
the meeting sponsored or hosted by a respected individual or group within the
community can add credibility to its agenda. This may happen through a
church, school, tribe, or other local group. Utilizing community leaders
also increases the chances of reaching a cross-section of the population and
not just a narrow representation. It is essential that all members of the
community receive word about the mobilization process and how they can be
involved. Outreach to those who are isolated, vulnerable or considered
marginal is critical. If they cannot personally attend a meeting, it is important
that they be represented in some way.
the meeting sponsored or hosted by a respected individual or group within the
community can add credibility to its agenda. This may happen through a
church, school, tribe, or other local group. Utilizing community leaders
also increases the chances of reaching a cross-section of the population and
not just a narrow representation. It is essential that all members of the
community receive word about the mobilization process and how they can be
involved. Outreach to those who are isolated, vulnerable or considered
marginal is critical. If they cannot personally attend a meeting, it is important
that they be represented in some way.
Define the goals of the meeting
The goals of the meeting must be carefully
considered and reflected in the agenda by the person in charge of the
mobilization. To ensure effective mobilization, community leaders can
provide assistance presenting the information in a culturally appropriate
manner. Some of the community leaders may be chosen to convey topics with which
they are familiar. During this meeting, it is important to solicit the
input of the community. Identify their needs and begin to prioritize how those
needs will be met.
considered and reflected in the agenda by the person in charge of the
mobilization. To ensure effective mobilization, community leaders can
provide assistance presenting the information in a culturally appropriate
manner. Some of the community leaders may be chosen to convey topics with which
they are familiar. During this meeting, it is important to solicit the
input of the community. Identify their needs and begin to prioritize how those
needs will be met.
This meeting will be an opportunity to develop an
awareness of how important the projects are to the community, how to actualize
them and also an opportunity to learn about the strengths and resources of the
community. It will be important to define mutual goals and develop a plan as to
how to reach these goals. This will include organizing individuals to work
together and coordinate services.
awareness of how important the projects are to the community, how to actualize
them and also an opportunity to learn about the strengths and resources of the
community. It will be important to define mutual goals and develop a plan as to
how to reach these goals. This will include organizing individuals to work
together and coordinate services.
Various
people in the community have different capabilities and these capabilities must
be factored into action plans and considered when defining goals of a
meeting. Community leaders and project workers should ask themselves,
‘What can we reasonably expect to achieve at the end of this meeting?’
people in the community have different capabilities and these capabilities must
be factored into action plans and considered when defining goals of a
meeting. Community leaders and project workers should ask themselves,
‘What can we reasonably expect to achieve at the end of this meeting?’
Develop ongoing ways to
communicate
communicate
Once goals have been defined and a plan has been
developed, it will be important to identify ongoing ways to
communicate. Rather than having large meetings, cluster meetings of project staff, community leaders and
community members working on similar tasks are more manageable and
efficient. The groups should begin team building with all team members
(project staff, community leaders and community members). It is vital that marginalized
and vulnerable people are included in these teams. Mediation with the
community may be required for them to ‘allow’ marginalized or isolated members
of their community to participate in a team.
developed, it will be important to identify ongoing ways to
communicate. Rather than having large meetings, cluster meetings of project staff, community leaders and
community members working on similar tasks are more manageable and
efficient. The groups should begin team building with all team members
(project staff, community leaders and community members). It is vital that marginalized
and vulnerable people are included in these teams. Mediation with the
community may be required for them to ‘allow’ marginalized or isolated members
of their community to participate in a team.
Work in small teams that include affected people as
well as outside helpers. Team leaders should meet daily for sharing of
information, planning and coordination. Not all teams will be required for all
emergency response projects. Some people may be a member of more than one team.
well as outside helpers. Team leaders should meet daily for sharing of
information, planning and coordination. Not all teams will be required for all
emergency response projects. Some people may be a member of more than one team.
