STEPS IN COMMUNITY ENTRY

Community Entry involves a process that occurs between organizations to assess a

community’s needs, stakeholders and capacity, to establish reciprocal means of

communication, to form relationship built on trust, to include marginalized community

members, and to create consensus over the goals of the project (PolicyLink, n.d). Community

entry is a critical stage during which the initial interactions between the community and the

organization occur, and when most of the initial trust building also occurs. It is a critical

process that needs more time and resources; that will make implementation easier (PCI key

informant, Ethiopia). Because community entry is a key factor for the success of every

project, the processes must be followed duly in order to avoid any mistakes. The steps in

community entry are as follows

1. Learn and collect information about the community.

2. Conduct stakeholder analysis and meet with gatekeeper(s).

3. Negotiate entry through gatekeepers.

4. Conduct open community meeting.

(UHAS202214737)

Learn and collect information about the community.

Every community is characterized its own physical (buildings and infrastructure) and social

(customs, norms and values) structures as well as their needs. Therefore, community entry

starts by the organization or individual gathering as enough information as possible about the

community. Get to know about the community’s location, population size, ethnicity,

economic status, educational level, climatic conditions, religious affiliations and their history.
This will help give a better understanding of the community’s most important needs and the

kind of intervention needed. It also helps the individual or organization to know the

appropriate time to enter the community, the appropriate methodology to use, the important

gatekeepers and stakeholders to approach and how to utilize the resources available to

complete the project. The information can be obtained from primary source such as talking to

knowledgeable people (usually community indigenes), informal sources such as market

places, shops, drinking bars among others or from secondary sources like journals,

newspapers, annual report from District Health Management Team (DHMT), District

Assembly and Department of Environmental Health. ()

Collecting information and mapping out the community is the foundational step in

community entry and organization. This involves gathering data about the community’s

demographics, geography, culture, history, and existing resources.

Data Gathering: Begin by collecting demographic data such as population size, age

distribution, gender ratio, and socioeconomic status. This information can be obtained from

government census data, local authorities, or NGOs working in the area. Additionally,

conduct surveys and interviews with community members to gain insights into their needs,

aspirations, and challenges.

Geographical Mapping: Create a geographical map of the community to understand its

layout, infrastructure, and natural resources. This can help identify potential project locations

and assess accessibility.

Cultural Understanding: To effectively engage with the community, it’s crucial to grasp its

cultural norms, traditions, and values. This information can be gathered through ethnographic

research, community members, or anthropological studies.

Historical Context: Research the community’s history, including past development initiatives,

conflicts, and notable events. Understanding historical context can provide valuable insights

into existing tensions or opportunities. (UHAS202213235)

Conduct stakeholder analysis and meet with gatekeepers.

Stakeholder analysis is a technique used in identifying the degree of power and influence of

various groups on a project. The people affecting or being affected by the project are called

stakeholders. They are divided into four groups depending on how power and influential they

are. Based on where an individual is found, they are treated in a particular way to keep them

interested or involved in the project. A chief is a person of high influence and high power,

this makes him crucial to the success of the project. You would have to take priority in

keeping him happy with the project’s progress. Those with low interest and high power are to

be kept satisfied with the project’s success and not bored with too much information. People

with low power and high interest are to be kept constantly informed about the programme.

And people with both low interest and power should be informed periodically. The interest-

power analysis is dependent on the project being considered; it is not universally defined. The

time and place of the project should be in favour of the stakeholders and gatekeepers. You

should not force anyone to co-operate buy rather seek for help. Gatekeepers should be met

and their support should be asked for. (UHAS202213120)

Negotiate entry through the gatekeepers.

In every community, there are different ways to gain access through the gatekeepers.

Examples of gatekeepers are chiefs, elders, family heads, assemblymen or women. In some

communities, something has to be given to pray to the goods or ancestors for example some
communities Schnapp is required to gain entry into the community. The schnapp is used to

pour libation to the gods and ancestors. (UHAS202213302)

Gatekeepers are those who have the power to grant or deny access to a community or its

resources. They can strongly influence the behaviours of those around them. Examples of

such people include chief, elders , religious figures and parents. These people should be

identified. Before entering the community, one should meet with these people and ensure that

they are aware of what your team plans to do in the community. You then ask them for their

ideas on how best to go around the project. For example, parents are important gate keepers

when it comes to health care interventions that involve children. They would decide whether

or not their children would participate in the programme. Their decision directly affects the

success of the project. If these people are not aware of the aim of the project and their views

asked for, the desired outcome would not be achieved. This involves discussing the terms and

conditions of your work, such as the activities you will be doing, the resources you will need,

and the time frame for your work. It is important to be flexible and willing to compromise

during the negotiation process. You also need to be respectful of the community’s culture and

traditions. (UHAS20229820)

Conduct open community meetings.

In small communities, durbars are organised to explain to the people the purpose of entering

into their community and decisions are made on whether to participate or not. In large

communities where the people cannot meet at one gathering to make decisions, decisions are

made through the media, phone numbers are displayed for the people to ask questions and

make decisions. In some cases, durbars are organised in groups to facilitate decision-making.

In decision making do not prioritize the majority over the minority. (UHAS202213302)
In Conclusion, for community entry to be successful one has to follow the steps thoroughly.

Before you enter a community make plans for all the steps, and how you will carry them out.

(UHAS202213302)