Community Capacity Building

Community capacity building is "development work that strengthens the ability of community organisations and groups to build their structures, systems, people and skills so that they are better able to define and achieve their objectives and engage in consultation and planning, manage community projects and take part in partnerships and community enterprises". (Skinner S: 'Building Community Strengths' CDF 1997)

'An Introduction to Community Capacity Building'       

Exploring the principles and purpose of community capacity building and introducing key tools and frameworks that can be used to assess and build community strengths and support practice in any context.

'Assessing Community Strengths'

This course introduces a framework for assessing and building the capacities of communities. Training and consultancy support can be tailored to meet local need but will normally include: 

• understanding the features and uses of community strengths assessments

• becoming familiar with the different stages involved in assessing community strengths
• identifying the different skills needed to carry out the tasks involved in an assessment
• developing a strategy for implementing a community strengths assessment
• exploring ways of dealing with some of the potential issues/challenges that may arise
• feeling confident in applying the assessment process

This course can be accompanied by the publication 'Assessing Community Strengths' by Steve Skinner and Mandy Wilson.

'Developing a Community Capacity Building Strategy'

This training is primarily for managers or senior staff in Community Learning and Development, or other sectors, responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating a community capacity building strategy in the context of community planning or at organisational/service level.  Training can be adapted to meet local need but typical learning outcomes are as follows:

• An understanding of the principles and purpose of community capacity building
• An understanding of the current policy context for community capacity building
• An understanding of the relationship between community capacity building and community engagement and the way in which community capacity building contributes to wider quality of life outcomes.
• An understanding of the way in which current tools and frameworks can be used to assess, build and evaluate community capacity

'Achieving Community Change'

Explores how community organisations can best prepare their case for change, build alliances and support, develop strategies for sustainable change.  The workshop is primarily intended for community organisations and practitioners working with them. This course can be adapted to meet local need, but will typical cover:

• how to identify community needs and issues
• how to assess community strengths and weaknesses
• how to build alliances
• how to research, prepare and present a case for change
• understanding an advocacy and negotiating role

'Effective Community Organisations'

Courses and consultancy support in this area explores the nature of effective and credible community organisations, including issues of leadership, learning, representation, influence, sustainability and impact.  Content is based on and informed by the National Standards for Community Engagement and is intended primarily for community organisations and practitioners working with them.  Training and support can be adapted to meet local need, but will typically cover:

• how to maximise community involvement and accountability
• how and why to engage excluded groups
• how and why to work with others
• how and why to plan and evaluate