The United Nations defines community development as "a process where community members
come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems."[1] It is a
broad concept, applied to the practices of civic leaders, activists, involved citizens, and
professionals to improve various aspects of communities, typically aiming to build stronger and
more resilient local communities.
Community development is also understood as a professional discipline, and is defined by the
International Association for Community Development as "a practice-based profession and an
academic discipline that promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights,
economic opportunity, equality and social justice, through the organisation, education and
empowerment of people within their communities, whether these be of locality, identity or
interest, in urban and rural settings
Social community
From families to friendships, we share experiences and interactions with groups. Our attachments to
those groups strong or weak weave the fabric of association and community. A community is a social
structure that shares personal values, cultural values, business goals, attitudes, or a world view. What
binds it is a community culture of social rules and group dynamics that identify members.
An online community isn’t built or befriended, it’s connected by offering and accepting. Community is
affinity, identity, and kinship that make room for ideas, thoughts, and solutions. Wherever a community
gathers, we aspire and inspire each other intentionally . . . And our words shine with authenticity. Many
social networking sites also offer platforms for discussion of topics that a community or network finds
mutually interesting or beneficial.
Community education
Community education, also known as community-based education or community learning &
development, is an organization's programs to promote learning and social development work with
individuals and groups in their communities using a range of formal and informal methods. A common
defining feature is that programmes and activities are developed in dialogue with communities and
participants. The purpose of community learning and development is to develop the capacity of
individuals and groups of all ages through their actions, the capacity of communities, to improve their
quality of life. Central to this is their ability to participate in democratic processes.[1]
Community education encompasses all those occupations and approaches that are concerned with
running education and development programmes within local communities, rather than within
educational institutions such as schools, colleges and universities. The latter is known as the formal
education system, whereas community education is sometimes called informal education. It has long
been critical of aspects of the formal education system for failing large sections of the population in all
countries and had a particular concern for taking learning and development opportunities out to poorer
areas, although it can be provided more broadly.
Community health
Community health is a branch of public health which focuses on people and their role as determinants
of their own and other people's health in contrast to environmental health, which focuses on the
physical environment and its impact on people's health.
Community health is a major field of study within the medical and clinical sciences which focuses on the
maintenance, protection, and improvement of the health status of population groups and communities.
It is a distinct field of study that may be taught within a separate school of public health or
environmental health. The WHO defines community health as:
environmental, social, and economic resources to sustain emotional and physical well being among
people in ways that advance their aspirations and satisfy their needs in their unique environment.
Community business
communities come together and set up community businesses to address challenges they face together.
There are many types of community business including shops, farms, pubs and call centres. What they
all have in common is that they are accountable to their community and that the profits they generate
deliver positive local impact, such as boosting the local economy.
Similar to social enterprises, community businesses are committed to positively benefiting society
through trading in a sustainable way. All profit from a community business is reinvested in the local
area. Unlike social enterprises, community businesses are focused on benefiting a specific local
geographic area.
Community businesses also have similarities to place-based charitable trusts which manage assets.
However, a community business is accountable to its beneficiary community which can mean local
people being involved in formal participation or even actual legal ownership.
Community science
is scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by amateur (or nonprofessional) scientists.[1]
Citizen science is sometimes described as "public participation in scientific research," participatory
monitoring, and participatory action research whose outcomes are often advancements in scientific
research by improving the scientific communities capacity, as well as an increasing the public's
understanding of science.[2][3][4] Based on Alexa rankings[5] iNaturalist is currently the most popular
citizen science website[6] followed by eBird[7] and then Zooniverse[8] in second and third place
respectively.[
what the activities
Community Development anywhere in the world is facilitated by the extent to which the local people
can mobilize their resources to address local needs. The role of the youths to fast-track Community
Development Programmes has been recognized, particularly, in local communities where they have
played pivotal role in education, health, environmental sanitation, mass mobilization, religious activities
etc. This study poses that through active participation and encouragement; youths can be effective
instrument for CD programmes and may take ownership as well. With field-based data from Cross River
State, South-South Nigeria, the study examines the extent and strategies to which the youth can be
meaningfully engaged in CD programmes and presents an evaluation of the challenges facing them in
that direction. Recommendations for Sustainable Development via youth participation are made at the
end of the study.
What are the advantages of community life
The 5 benefits of living in a community:
A sense of belonging
Many people feel isolated from the world by the fact they have no friends or relatives in their
community. This can lead to loneliness and eventually depression. A community spirit can instil a sense
of belonging in these individuals, they are no longer alone, and they lead healthier, happier lives.
Security
Living in a community protects the individual from the harshness of having to do everything.(The “every
man for himself” mentality. ) It can help a person who falls on hard times if they are in a community to
feel supported, rather than living a corporate lifestyle where a person is only as good as their latest
contribution. Community living also means that most of the people know each other. A small town
environment like that often means less crime and also less need for surveillance. Surveillance is a
consequence of living amongst strangers.
The sharing of resources
Sharing resources can greatly reduce the cost of living. Many of the luxuries that people enjoy are not
used 24/7, or even if they are used frequently, they can often be shared. The quality of items that can be
afforded goes up while the cost goes down. You can live cheaper and better, and the only cost is being
more social.
Resources can be shared through the LETS system and FREECYCLE groups.
The transition towns initiative are creating communities that prepare themselves for sustainability after
peak oil.
Cooperation and Competition
It is natural for individuals to cooperate with each other. We are a tribal species. In fact, cooperation on
an individual level is very beneficial, because generally each person is interested in and skilled at
different tasks than their peers. As a result close knit groups of individuals whose skills and personalities
complement each other can be particularly healthy, happy, and successful.
Employment and fulfillment
One of the greatest benefits of living in a community setting is that it gives us the freedom to care for
our lives, our wealth, and often both at the same time. There is no reason for the community to resent
individuals for participating in a way that does not directly benefit the bottom line. We can work
together as business partners who share equally in the burden of maintaining the community
economically. The needs of a community are numerous, and the avenues of occupations that could
benefit a community are likewise numerous. Using local skills and expertise can benefit the individual
member economically but also forges networks of professional relationships who have a sense of place
and local solutions.There are many diverse ways in which an individual can contribute. By working
within a community each individuals skills and abilities can be applied in a unique way, and no person
need feel like a cog.
What are the disadvantages of community service?
1 Time Commitment. Depending on the type of work you're doing, volunteering can be time-
consuming. ...
2 Lack of Pay. While volunteer or pro bono work can be emotionally rewarding, you're not receiving
any monetary compensation for your time. ...
3 Personality Conflicts. ...
4 Impact on Health.
