Community development is a dynamic process that aims to empower individuals and groups to improve community well-being. It is built on a foundation guided by a collection of values, practices, and principles that direct its efforts. This essay will examine the definitions and components of community development that guide my personal philosophy toward this field of study and community action, one focusing on equality, empathy, honesty, respect and commitment. I will explore social services, community organizing, participatory planning, and capacity building in fostering sustainable community development and how they relate to my ongoing work in the field. Each of these elements combines with the other to shape my community development philosophy built on a foundation of grassroots engagement, advocacy and lifelong learning.
The formal definition of Community Development written by the International Association for Community Development (IACD) is “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline concerned with the organization, education and empowerment of people within their communities.” The United Nations is more general in its definition, stating that it is “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” Ultimately, it should strive to support the community with the skills needed to effect positive change while maintaining that it is highly situational and that each group is unique to the community itself, its people, place, interests and needs in relation to the current circumstance (Brown, 2021). Understanding Community Development as a fluid process that can embrace and be receptive to the need for change is essential. It should be responsive, and those involved should work towards challenging the status quo or, at minimum, remain open to the concepts around which current structures are built.
Eurocentric systems are built on a structure of colonial practices that continuously reinforce systemic inequalities and compound the complexity and intersectionality of our communities working towards many areas of community development. As leaders, we are responsible for exploring, acknowledging, and questioning the current distribution of resources, power, and opportunity. We can establish ourselves as community developers through this greater understanding and awareness. Otherwise, we are simply project developers focused on tasks and projects rather than staying true to the roots of community development and empowerment of communities.
One positive aspect of acknowledging this topic's complexities is that it can empower action, engagement, and opportunity at all levels. Community Development takes place at all levels within a community; therefore, all actions have value and meaning. They all have a place in inspiring those around us to act to help others know they are not alone in more complex and formal programs. This can be exceptionally impactful to remember when working to address matters that seem overwhelming at first. This also helps maintain initiatives' grassroots intention and goals when we take the time to listen, learn and direct our energies effectively. Jen Kopec put it so well in Roots of Change (n.d.) when she said we can control where we put our attention and intention. This is an empowering way to foster change and progress, whatever that looks like for a community.
Understanding the intention of development within a community, along with that community's goals, values, history, and circumstances, is a process that should be based on respect, humility, and understanding. Suppose one approaches a project with drive and ambition without first seeking to understand. In that case, the outcome is imposed on communities rather than one of impact and positive change for that community. Ideally, Community Development should come from a people-first perspective, even if a group hasn’t previously been empowered to explore their needs and goals. This approach can be challenging for individuals who have entered a career in Community Development and are driven by a task or goal-oriented perspective. Understanding, learning, and exploring a community's goals, values, and needs can take time and often unconventional methods. Sharing stories, having conversations, and, most importantly, listening should frame action or, at times, inaction and patience. Our current systems within our goal-oriented society are frequently modelled around tasks, reporting, evaluation and firm deliverables that can be evaluated and measured. This has been a significant factor in my professional choices in community development. I have elected to remain independent and select contracts and opportunities that align with my values and beliefs rather than those that align with a corporate structure and are dictated to me without my ability to share insight or influence, which may or may not be aligned with my own.
To find areas of Community Development that align with my values and beliefs, I have had to explore my personal bias, values, and lived experiences that have helped me frame my current structure of understanding. The values of equity, empathy, respect, and commitment are central to the work I want to pursue professionally and as a volunteer. They also form the fundamental principles guiding my philosophy in community development. Equity inspires me to promote social justice within communities and keeps me curious about those I connect with and their unique stories. It helps me lean into discomfort when exploring my own lived experiences and realizing that my understanding must be built on trust because I will never be the expert in someone else's story. We will all thrive through equity, redistribution of resources, and empowerment of others. Empathy is a critical component in my personal philosophy as it enables me to comprehend and relate to the experiences and viewpoints of others, promoting a feeling of unity and shared comprehension. Respect is crucial for establishing trust, authenticity, and integrity in communities and promoting transparency and accountability in all activities. All these components are tied together with commitment, which drives my dedication and perseverance in striving for impactful change, even when faced with obstacles and challenges. This commitment drives me towards the right choices and direction, not the easy ones.
In many ways, I have struggled with my views on Community Development. As someone who has experienced many opportunities and has led a life as a white settler of European descent, I often feel as though the story necessary to tell to influence change is not my own to share. However, I also know that those who have been marginalized do not owe anything to anyone to do the work that needs to be done. It is up to all of us to be a positive part of the process in our actions, decisions, and efforts. If we leave it up to everyone else to do the work that needs to be done toward a more caring, equitable and compassionate world, then we will become stuck in the status quo and immobilized through the bystander effect. We can’t assume the work is someone else’s responsibility, as we must all share in the efforts.
Throughout my youth, I felt a strong sense of justice and community and family heavily influenced it. My one grandmother was involved in politics, an NDP candidate in the 80s in Alberta, and tirelessly advocated for access to healthcare and education. She would engage us in debates and discussions to challenge our views and encourage us to question the current issues filling the daily newspapers. Questions like “And tell me why,” “Is that the best it can be?” or “Tell me what you think about that?” occupied our dinner conversations and afternoon teas. We were included in every step of the process, from stapling brochures to community canvassing, and it was instilled in us from a very young age that regardless of our personal views, we had a responsibility to get involved and work towards positive change in whichever direction we felt was the right one given the circumstances. This felt like a heavy burden at times when I wasn’t sure what I could even impact as a young child. The role models in my life did not support those thoughts of inadequacy and encouraged me to seek out whatever resources and strengths were available. Today, I am deeply grateful for that empowering philosophy and have learned to work toward positive change despite adversity.
My other grandmother helped me explore a different approach to creating community and change. She was busy building connections with the local tribe and sharing resources as a thank you for helping guide our family on how to survive the long, cold prairie winters. Collaboration was the only way to build everyone up. Even if each individual had unique needs, together, we were stronger and could support the changes that would result in a collective impact. My siblings and I shared a unique relationship with this grandmother. We knew she loved our family deeply, although it was hard to understand her views then. Her approach to family and relationships helped me understand the difference between equality and equity. Grama said that we didn’t need her and would go long periods without seeing her. However, as we grew and understood the complexities of the challenges others were facing, it made much more sense. She dedicated her time, home and resources to helping those facing homelessness, violence, food poverty and more. Our small family unit was safe and fed, and we had each other, unlike those she was dedicating her time to. So, while we all needed and loved her deeply, we didn’t need her the way the others did. I would have loved to have more time with her, but I am filled with gratitude for her example and leadership in approaching circumstances with the courage to seek out the unconventional path. The knowledge and confidence I have gained through her guidance continue to serve as a foundation for my approach to change.
These experiences and values have shaped the forms of community development that I align most closely with. While all contribute to a holistic approach to change, social planning, community organization, and community development have influenced my positions in Community Development and have shaped my view of the field. Social planning has significantly contributed to my collaboration, analysis, and advocacy skills. This has helped strengthen my ability to evaluate community needs, establish priorities, and support strategic initiatives to address problems and enhance positive social outcomes. The processes of conducting research, gathering data, and connecting with stakeholders to inform decision-making processes have been crucial to expanding my involvement in Community Development and building plans to support social equity, inclusivity, and sustainability. While these systems are more formal and analytical, they certainly serve a purpose in building the tools and data that many depend on to frame their engagement.
It is most fulfilling and natural to engage with grassroots processes of Community Development, including community organizing and community development. Connecting with people over policies and embracing connection over reports drives my energy and passion. I also feel more engaged with the initiatives and the community, as well as a better understanding of different perspectives. Through these practices, we create the space for storytelling and reciprocal communication, whereas social planning can quickly become more formal and one-sided. In my volunteer and professional experience, community organizing and development nurture relationships with community members and empower individuals to guide their needs, solutions, and plans.
My CD practices have focused on combining grassroots community development with entrepreneurial experience to create positive change starting at the local level. I utilize the confidence I have gained through years of small business experience to help embrace uncertainty, change, and exploration. This has helped form my work as a community organizer, dedicating my resources to empowering communities, fostering positive social connections, and initiating impactful projects.
My approach is based on grassroots community development, which leads to lasting change through community members' collective action and empowerment—collaborating with organizations and community members at a grassroots level to identify local needs, strengths, and priorities. Together, we explore solutions that align with each community's distinct context and goals. From amateur sport to helping build resources for marginalized communities, each has brought a new perspective, foundation of understanding, and the gift of personal growth through the process.
As a community organizer, discussions, building community connections, and identifying goals to define what the community views as necessary and successful can help move towards a positive impact. If we get stuck in a saviour perspective where we are trying to ‘fix’ things or impose growth, we can lose sight of the deeper needs of a community. It is easy to come in with quick fixes and temporary programs, but those don’t lead to change and can serve more to build ego rather than options. This is where my business experience has been an excellent asset, as I have had to learn to release control, trust the process, and empower others to develop solutions. In business, as in most areas of life, you cannot do everything yourself, or at least not effectively and efficiently, so you must develop tools for delegation and collaboration.
Community development is complex and has required building a toolbox of resources and skills to grow in this field. I work to engage in grassroots community development with an entrepreneurial mindset, acknowledging the significance of innovation, resourcefulness, and adaptability in tackling intricate social issues. Using my entrepreneurial background, I utilize creativity, strategic thinking, and collaboration to create long-lasting solutions that produce social, environmental, and economic benefits. As a social entrepreneur, I find ways to meet needs that have not been addressed and generate beneficial social effects by developing creative business models and projects. Through this process, social enterprises are fostered, community-led projects are nurtured, and resources are gathered to aid grassroots innovations that empower marginalized communities, promote social inclusion, and further sustainable development objectives.
In working with local charities and organizations, we aim to enhance their effectiveness, expand their reach, and promote the enduring viability of community development by combining grassroots efforts with an entrepreneurial approach and expertise. Together, we can establish collaborations with local businesses, government agencies, and philanthropic groups or individuals to utilize resources, knowledge, and connections to assist community-led projects. Understanding the significance of collaboration and partnership among different sectors is essential to promote comprehensive community development initiatives. Therefore, my work focuses on grassroots initiatives and collaboration with public, private, and non-profit stakeholders to combine strengths and resources for a more significant impact.
My work combines grassroots community development and entrepreneurship to utilize community organizing, problem-solving, and social innovation to create positive change and resilient communities. By merging grassroots mobilization with an entrepreneurial mindset and experience, I strive to empower communities, foster innovation, and catalyze sustainable development initiatives promoting equity, justice, and well-being. If we spend our lives working, we may as well do it in a way that’s big enough to scare the heck out of ourselves and make a positive impact while doing it!
Resources:
Brown, J.D. (2021). Community Development in Canada (3rd ed.). Pearson Education Canada. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780136621966
Campfens, H. (1999). Community development around the world: Practice, theory, research, training. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Canada. https://canadacommons.ca/artifacts/1891784/community-development-around-the-world/2641933/
IACD - The International Association for Community Development. www.iacdglobal.org
Kraemer, Harry M. From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership. John Wiley and Sons, 2011
Raworth, Kate. Doughnut Economics Action Lab, https://doughnuteconomics.org/tools/20
The Temple of Understanding. Roots of Change: Food Sovereignty, Women, and Eco-Justice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QULLvMSqPoM&t=224s
