Community-based approaches give communities direct control over investment decisions, project planning, execution and monitoring, through a process that emphasises inclusive participation and management.
Huma Haider, author of 'Community-based Approaches to Peace building in Conflict-affected and Fragile Contexts' says local communities are better placed to identify their shared needs and the actions necessary to meet them.
Community based approaches can promote good governance by equipping communities with the skills and tools to carry on a range of activities,� Huma reveals. �People are empowered through inclusive decision-making, capacity building and the means to implement decisions.�
Minimal bureaucracy at the community level can allow for rapid decision-making, leading to an efficient and cost-effective fulfilment of community needs, according to the report. In addition, it states that the creation of non-violent, inclusive forms of community organisation can contribute to social capital.
Haider however cautions, �It is important to sensitise communities and to manage the expectations of community members in order to avoid disappointment and disillusionment with community based approaches.�
The report is published by the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, based at the University of Birmingham. It is available online: http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=3679
Ends
Notes to Editors
The report was commissioned by the Australian Government, AusAID
The Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) was established in 2005 to provide high quality, timely information to support international development project and programme planning, policy-making, and other activities in the field.
The Resource Centre is part of the International Development Department, University of Birmingham
For further media information, contact Anietie Isong, International Press Officer, University of Birmingham, Tel 01214147863. E-mail: a.isong@bham.ac.uk
