Key Concepts in Community Mobilization Community: A group of people who share common interest, values or goals and connected social economic and geographical ties. Mobilization: Is the process of organizing and activating individuals, groups and communities to take action towards a common goal, e.g. clean water problem in the society Empowerment: Is the process of enabling individuals and communities to get control over their lives, making informed decisions and take actions to address their needs and concerns. Engagement: Is the active involvement and participation of individuals, groups and organization within community in decision making processes, problem solving and corrective actions. Collaboration: Is the working together with others include community members, organization to achieve common goals and address community members. Capacity Building: Refers to enhancing skills and knowledge, resources and abilities of individuals and communities to effectively address community challenges and provide positive change. Social Cohesion: Refers to the sense of belonging, trust and cooperation among individuals and groups within the community. Why Social Cohesion is important in the Community? It contribute to social stability, resilience and corrective actions Sustainable Development: Refers to the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the stability of the future generation to meet their own needs. This can be done by involving community members. Raising Awareness: Increasing knowledge and understanding key issues and challenges within a community through community and education strategies in order to mobilize community members to take action. Positive Social Change: Is the process of creating meaningful and listing improvements in life of individuals, equality and rule of law in a questioned community. Participatory Decision Making: is the involving of community members in the process of decision making that affect their lives and the community. Why is it essential to participate in decision making by the community members in society? It helps the voiceless people so that their voices and perspective are heard and considered in the society Community Mobilization: is the process that involves, engaging and empowering individuals, groups and organization or communities to take collective action and work towards a common goal. It aims at bringing people together in the community to achieve common goal. It raises key issues, awareness and mobilize community members to take an action in finding solutions. The main goal of community mobilization is empowering individuals and communities to take ownership of their own development and improve the quality of their life. Thus by enhancing social cohesion and fostering sustainable development. MAIN OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION SR#. OBJECTIVE EXPLAINATION 1. Capacity building in the Strengthening skills, knowledge, abilities and resources community to affectively address challenges and promote positive change. 2. Promote Community Encourage participation and involvement of community engagement and participation members and stakeholders in planning, implementation and evaluation process. 3. Addressing community needs identifying and addressing the specific needs and and concerns concerns of the community through collaborative efforts and sustainable solutions 4. Enhance Social Cohesion The sense of belonging, trust and unity bring people together and take action to address their own needs. 5. Promoting social justice and Addressing the qualities and promoting equal rights and equity opportunities for all community members, ensuring fair distribution of resources opportunities within a society 6. Fostering Sustainable Planning activities by involving community members and Development implementing activities that have long term positive impacts that meets the needs of present generation without compromising the future generation. 7. Creating positive social Change Addressing systemic issues and promoting equity justice and wellbeing through meaningful and lasting improvements on the rights of individuals in the community 8. Empowering individuals in the Active involvement and participation of individuals, community groups and organization within the community in decision making processes, problem solving and corrective actions.
IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY MOBILISATION
Increases participatory in decision making process. Reduces dependency syndrome Strengthens cooperation, coordination, collaboration and accountability among stakeholders Promotes equal opportunities Strengthen Community participation and self-reliance for sustainability of projects GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION Recruit and secured the right leadership Establish a formal structure Engage stakeholders of diverse background Include of people of influence Funding is broad based Build on community strengths and assets Build shared vision, ownership and passion Used data as source of power and leverage for planning an d change Measure and report results WAYS TO MOBILIZE COMMUNITIES Community meetings Radio listening groups Public debate Quiz Competition Village literacy Affairs Print media Dance and concerts Door to door session Mobile cinema Story telling Sports events and competition ROLE OF CULTURE IN COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION Unifying factor Symbol of resistance Source of inspiration Means of empowerment Tool for social change COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION APPROACHES 1. RAPID RURAL APPRAISAL ( RRA) APPROACH Aims to gather information and insights about rural communities quickly and efficiently Active involvement of community members in data collection and analysis The main objective of RRA is to empower local communities by involving them in decision making process E.g. Mapping, transect walks, interviews and focus group discussions. KEY PRINCIPLES IN RAPID RURAL APPRAISAL (RRA) APPROACH Participation: Through assessment process and decision making E.g. transect walks Rapidity: Quickly gathering of information helps in timely decision making and action planning Flexibility; Adaptable to specific needs of the community Holistic Approach; Linkage of Social, cultural, economic and environment Empowerment; Knowledge and information that help to make informed decisions and bring self-reliance ADVANTAGES OF RAPID RURAL APPRAISAL (RRA) APPROACH Time efficient Cost effective Participatory and inclusive Promote local ownership Empowerment of local community Improves decision making Flexible and adaptable Enhancing capacity building Build community cohesion Fosters learning and participatory Facilitate collaboration DISADVANTAGES OF RAPID RURAL APPRAISAL (RRA) APPROACH Limited depth Potential Bias E.g. Focus group discussions Lack of Validation Ethical Consideration Limited Scope.