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MODULE 1 Lesson 1 The Core Values of Community different tools and methods that are appropriate to the
Action Initiatives context of the community. Essentially, community
actions must give members and leaders a “voice” in the
community action.
Every community has its own issues and problems that In that sense, the following are the core values that
are needed to be resolved. There are issues that are must be taken into consideration in making community
being a subject matter of the argumentation and action initiatives and plans.
discussions of the people. There are also problems 1. Human rights
wherein conditions are undesired by people which th 2. Social Equity
ey tend to seek solutions. 3. Gender equality
Due to the above stated realities in the community, 4. Participatory development
actions and initiatives from its members are very
HUMAN RIGHTS
relevant and needed. Being a member of the
community, you should take part in the said actions, to According to the Office of the United Nations High
address the issues and problems, so that community life Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), it is defined
will be better for you and other community members. as “the rights inherent to all human beings whatever
our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or
Thus, the process of collaborative work between the ethnic origin, color, religion, language or any other
individuals and groups known as community status.
engagement will take place in the community action It is also defined as the supreme, inherent, and
initiatives. A community initiative is generally a network inalienable rights to life, to dignity, and to self-
of individuals and partner organizations dedicated to
development. It is concerned with issues in both areas
improve the health and welfare of a community. It
of civil and political rights and economic, social and
seeks to deal with and reduce the effect of social
cultural rights founded on internationally accepted
problems, in order to improve peoples' quality of life.
They vary by community, but may address issues such human rights obligations.
as homelessness, drug abuse, domestic violence, and In this sense, each person, even before coming into this
many others. world and getting out of its mother’s womb, have
Hence, it is important for you to understand the core already have rights, like right to live, which is a natural
values of community action initiatives. Let us learn right. Upon birth and growing up, citizenship and other
these core values before having actions to community rights and entitlements are already alongside to the
issues and problems. child, such as the right to a name and nationality, the
right to health and nutrition, the right to shelter, the
WHAT ARE THE CORE VALUES
right to education and the likes.
According to Oxford Dictionary, core values are Also, here are the human rights included in the United
principles or beliefs that a person or organization views Nations declaration:
as being of central importance. Another definition of Natural Rights - The liberty and the pursuit of
happiness.
core values is that these “are the fundamental beliefs of
Civil Rights - privacy, property, religion, expression,
a person or organization. These are guiding principles
contract and movement
dictate the behavior and can help people understand Political Rights - assembly, petition, suffrage, direct and
the difference between right and wrong.” Core values indirect participation, self-determination, self-
also help to determine if they are on the right path and government and election to public office
fulfilling their goals by creating an unwavering guide. All of these and more are our rights, but let us not
forget that our right ends, where the rights of others
The Core Values and Principles of Community-action
Initiatives begin. Also, in every right there is a corresponding
Based on the book of (Taguibao et. al 2016), There is no obligation and responsibility.
single approach to community development and as SOCIAL EQUALITY
such, initiatives and actions that are intended to
address community issues and problems must consider
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It is the fair access to opportunities, like education, -Men may have more weight in marriages or other
livelihood and resources. It involves participation in direct or indirect relationships.
cultural and political practices in the community like the It is known that individuals in a community have unique
social justice, but social equity emphasizes more on roles that are being played, also, aside from the said
institutions and how people can access it, especially roles; they also have unique needs that must be
those who need it most. It also refers to standards set answered. There are gender differences between the
applied to improve the participation of a certain classes roles played by women and men and their unique needs
or sectors of people in the community. and responses to a community issue.
An example of this is the marginalized group like Not including a certain gender group may mean a
Persons With Disability (PWDs) who do have the same different set of priorities that would become a possible
and equal rights to ordinary people but are also condition of a non-holistic approach in the issue and
problem solving.
protected and given the privilege to achieve social
equity. Other marginalized groups sectors or groups are PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT
women, children, youth, indigenous, LGBTQ+
community, and the likes who are considered weak and Its objective is to engage the marginalized group in
in need of help. programs and activities that will benefit them. It must
In tackling social equity, we cannot go away with social have advocacies to enable the marginalized groups to
justice. As defined by former President Jose P. Laurel, it promote their rights. The more participation from the
is the humanization of laws and the equalization of community, the higher is the possible success and
social and economic forces by the state so that justice sustainability of the programs and projects. As a result,
may at least be approximated. It is anchored heavily on it will empower a certain sector that will benefit from
the idea that justice is based on basic human rights and the community initiatives thru participatory
each individual must have an opportunity to exercise development.
these rights.
This kind of development aims to directly involve local
Hence if we compare equity and equality, equity communities in development projects. It is in our
according to Encarta Dictionary is a general condition knowledge that different members of the community
characterized by justice, fairness, and impartiality, while have their own and distinct needs, but if all or most of
its members will unite and participate for a certain goal,
equality is full equality under the law. If we think about
there will be less discord and misunderstanding, then
it, equality means giving all things to all individuals even
most likely, the program and activities, as well as the
others may not need it, while equity is giving the
participation of the groups in the community, will
individuals what they need. succeed, and answering the needs of a certain group or
GENDER EQUALITY sector would be easier.
Hence, the entire above stated core values of
As defined by United Nations Entity for Gender Equality community action initiatives must be our guiding light in
and Empowerment of women, it is “the equal rights, making and preparing our own community action
responsibilities, and opportunities of women and men initiative and project
and girls and boys.” It does not mean that both genders
are the same but emphasize the equality of men and MODULE 2 Lesson 2 Strategies of Empowerment and
Advocacy of a Community Action Initiative
women, with equal rights, values, treatment, and
opportunities.
Defining Empowerment and Advocacy
Clear examples of problems in gender equality are seen
in the following situations: According to Oxford Dictionary, empowerment is the
-Men may often have better opportunities, freedom and act of giving somebody more control over their own life
social favor compared to women. or the situation they are in or giving somebody the
-Most of the positions, socially and politically were power or authority to do something.
being occupied mostly by men.
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On the other hand advocacy is the support, advice and who lead, organize, and participate in the community
help given to people, often with special needs or aims, effort.
who are unable to speak for themselves
Thus, if it will be applied to community engagement, 3. Engage the stakeholders- engage people, groups or
solidarity and citizenship, these two are both modes of institutions that may be affected by or are important to
community engagement. It highlights the collaborative the achievement of the stated purpose of a project.
nature of various groups and people working together They include government, civil society, and the private
to attain a specific goal that may promote betterment of sector at national, intermediate and local levels.
the quality of life and social change.
To elaborate, according to Taguibao (2016), in 4. Conduct a Needs assessments-it's a way of asking
connection with community action, people group or community members what they see as the
empowerment is the process that increases community most important needs of that group or community. The
autonomy and individual self-determination. These results of the survey then guide future action.
processes are designed to help gain control of their own
lives. 5. Create a Strategic Plan- develop a strategic plan that
As stated by Ban Ki Moon, Former Secretary General of lays out the goals and objectives. The strategic plan
the United Nations, this aims to ensure that people should identify the social, structural, and individual
have the right set of skills and opportunities they need changes that will lead to people empowerment.
to live better and dignified lives. These are some of the many strategies of
Now, let us move to advocacy. It refers to enabling empowerment and advocacy of a community action
marginalized groups and promoting their individual initiative.
rights. It is a process of supporting people and
advancing or promoting the rights these individuals Lesson 3 Importance of Commitment and Action in
have. Participatory Development
Advocacy, in connection with community engagement,
also means attaining people empowerment. It can be
Making a commitment includes dedication of self to a
led by people who are not part of the community or by
certain person or a cause. Before anyone makes a
leaders within the community. The most effective
commitment, it must carefully think about. A
advocacy and people empowerment is the combination
commitment obligates a person to do something that it
by both.
involves action. Hence, it is very important to commit
Empowering sectors like the poor, indigenous people
and act to accomplish a certain community action
and the likes need strong and effective advocacies for
initiative through participation of the citizens.
protection and promotion of their interests. In this
According to Taguibao (2016), participatory
sense, according to Huberman (2014), these are the
development generally aims to engage the marginalized
strategies is community mobilization resulting to people
empowerment and advocacy: in development projects which are designed and
1. Secure Strong Leadership-Engage strong leaders initiated for their own benefit. Participatory
within the community members. The leader should development is guided by the possibility of success and
possess these characteristics: the will to serve as the sustainability of development projects is more
leader of the community over a significant period of attainable if the local community is engaged in the
time; the capacity to provide both infrastructure and process of development.
human resources; financial stability; the ability to gather
and manage financial resources, and the respect and Stakeholders must not be ignored in the process. It has
support of the community. already been discussed in the first lesson who the
stakeholders are. They are the people, groups or
Establish Formal Structure- a formal structure must be institutions that may be affected by, can significantly
created for it can effectively lead community change influence or are important to the achievement of the
efforts. These may include specific committees, stated purpose of a community action initiative. They
organizational charts, rules like by laws, policy include government, civil society, and the private sector
statements and formal letters of agreement for those at national, intermediate and local levels.
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These stakeholder groups are: commitment and action in the grassroots level whom
General public: those who are directly or indirectly are the direct beneficiaries of a community action.
affected by the project (women’s groups, individuals Hence, they are the ones who are being empowered.
and families, indigenous groups, religious groups) Hence, we should not forget that in any action there are
Government: civil servants in ministries, cabinets, etc. good and bad effects. According to NGO leader Gerardo
Representative assemblies: elected government bodies Bulatao, these are the pros and cons of participatory
(parliament, national and local assemblies, district and development:
municipal assemblies, elected community leaders.

Civil society organizations: networks, national and

international NGOs, grassroots organizations, trade
unions, policy development and research institutes,
media, community based organizations.

Private sector: umbrella groups representing groups

within the private sector, professional associations,
chambers of commerce.
Donor and international financial institutions: resource
providers and development partners Therefore, everyone should be careful in taking
If all of these stakeholders will develop participation, in commitment and action in community action intiative.
terms of commitment and action, any community action
initiative will be a success. MODULE 3 Lesson 1 Assess Selected Community Action
Let us not forget the forms of participatory Initiatives
development.
Passive Participation- Participation is at the minimum;
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SHORT-TERM & LONG-TERM
stakeholders are merely informed about the plans and
PROJECTS
progress of projects. People participate by being told
by Tara Duggan
what is going to happen or has already happened. Short-term projects take a few hours, days, or weeks to
Hence, this kind of commitment is not very effective in complete. Long-term projects take months or even
attaining community action initiative. years to finish. Typically, companies require more
Participation by Consultation- Stakeholders being asked documentation and infrastructure for longer-term
for their idea or opinion about a certain problem while efforts. Decisions about project governance usually
development professionals only listen to their views. depend on budget, resources required, business impact,
People involved exercised no responsibility in and the scope the project. Effective project managers
formulating the original plan or the decisions that went start by assessing the project need and determining
into it, and the development professionals are not how much time is needed to meet the desired
obliged to incorporate their views. outcomes
Participation by Collaboration- Stakeholders with
predetermined goals participates during the discussion,
analysis, and decision-making stage.
Empowerment Participation- Stakeholders actively
participate in the process and its analysis. This features
a joint decision making process, wherein stakeholders
are considered equal copartners with the external
experts. Most significantly, control and ownership of Budget
the process are in the hands of the primary Short-term projects typically require less money to
stakeholders. complete than long-term efforts. An exception might
occur for a short-term disaster recovery effort or other
Thus, in all these for types of participation, it is essential
unplanned event that requires immediate, all-out
to develop empowerment participation, for it includes
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attention. Because short-term projects typically cost stakeholder (the respondent). Interviews allow you to
less, they usually require fewer approvals to get started gain a deeper understanding of the respondent’s ideas
and completed. Short-term project leaders may simply and feelings. Unlike surveys, interviews give the
facilitator the freedom to veer off script and ask follow-
keep track of expenditures in a spreadsheet, while up questions. And unlike group assessments, such as
larger, more complex projects might require the use of community discussions and focus groups, the
more sophisticated accounting software packages to respondent has the facilitator’s sole attention and is
track and monitor forecasting and spending. more likely to share personal opinions freely.
Resources Advantages to using interviews include:
The number of resources required for a short-term • They allow the facilitator to follow the flow of
project typically depends on the type of product or conversation and ask spontaneous questions.
service being developed. Short-term projects usually • They encourage the respondent to speak freely and
require specialized expertise. For example, you might give spontaneous answers.
institute a short-term project to analyze a recurring • They are the most accurate and thorough way to
product problem and devise a solution. Large, obtain qualitative data from your respondents.
complicated T development projects typically require
numerous resources over the course of the project life They are effective with illiterate populations.
cycle to initiate, plan, execute, control, and close the Challenges with interviews may include:
project. • They are time consuming.
Impact • They reach only one respondent at a time.
Short-term projects typically have a limited impact. You • Conducting a good interview requires practice and
may initiate a project to handle a specific problem or some degree of skill.
react to a situation. Once the problem is solved, the • Finding willing respondents for impromptu interviews
project team disbands. Longer-term projects tend to can be difficult. (It’s better to schedule phone interviews
have a larger impact on the business, community, or in advance.)
Survey
employees. For example, you might institute a long-
Surveys are a popular method of collecting information
term project to analyze complex problems and make
and opinions. In the context of a community
sweeping changes that affect your entire company. assessment, a survey can reveal the community’s
Project team members typically commit to working on perceived strengths, assets, weaknesses, and needs.
the project for the duration of the effort. This ensures Surveys can be general or targeted to specific groups.
consistency and continuity. Try to reach as many people as you can, focusing on key
stakeholders in the community. You can administer
complex. Project plans describe multiple objectives,
surveys through email, by phone, or in person.
business needs and interdependent requirements. Advantages to using surveys include:
Long-term projects may be divided into smaller projects
to make them more manageable and to produce more They can be administered remotely.
immediate results. Short-term projects typically focus • They can be repeated.
on a single goal. Evaluating short-term projects requires • They can be completed anonymously, encouraging
less effort and analysis than larger projects. Your candid responses.
company may require a formal scope statement for • They are generally inexpensive to administer.
Challenges with surveys may include:
projects that last more than a month. Establishing this
• Identifying prospective respondents and obtaining
type of governance ensures that the number of features
their personal contact information can be difficult.
and requirements of the project is documented early on • Emailed surveys are ineffective in places where
to prevent miscommunication, misunderstandings, and internet access is limited.
cost overruns later. • Phone surveys may be subject to sample or
interviewer bias.
Different assessing tool (Interview and Survey)
• Response rates for remote surveys are generally low
Interview
compared with in-person assessments.
Interviews are one-on-one conversations between a
• Written surveys are ineffective with illiterate
facilitator (the interviewer) and a community
populations.
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• Written surveys don’t allow for follow-up questions.

MODULE 4 Lesson 4 Methodologies and Approaches in

Community Action

Methods and approaches are commonly used tool in

analyzing the social problems and studying the
community needs and interests in formulating projects
and community action plan.
2. COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT is a systematic
process for determining and addressing needs or gaps
In that sense, the following are the various between current conditions or wants. It also measures
methodologies and approaches in making community the strengths and resources available in the community
action plans. to meet the needs of the children, youth, and families.
1. Community Profile SWOT analysis, force field analysis and focus group
2. Community Needs Assessment discussions are important tools in conducting the
3. Building Partnership community needs assessment.
4. Resource Mobilization Here are the example tools in conducting Community
5. Leadership Development/Participatory Planning needs assessment:
6. Social Action; and SWOT analysis mapping guide:
7. Evaluation
Let us now discuss the different methodologies and
approaches in community action. Strength – These are the standout characteristics of
1. COMMUNITY PROFILE is the process of developing your community in political, economic, sociocultural,
an understanding of the people and describing the technological, and environmental aspects.
detailed picture of the target community. Profiles could • Weaknesses – What does your community lack or
include information about the diversity within the need in the status quo? It may also include facets of
community, their history, social and economic your community that you think need to be addressed or
characteristics, and what social and infrastructure improved.
services are provided. • Opportunities – It may include the different aspect of
Below is an example of a community profile: community that are ripe for intervention and aid to
solve and counter the weaknesses you have included.
• Threats – It may include problems, issues, and
concerns within your community such as crime, poverty
and other aspects which may threaten your community.
Force field analysis mapping guide:
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• Driving Forces – These are factors that drive positive mobilization is not just about funds and raising funds,
change. but it is focused on the relationships with resource
• Restraining Forces – These are factors that impede or providers, the skills, knowledge, and capacity for proper
obstacles for positive change. use of resources.
• Desired State – These include your own vision on The Resource Mobilization Cycle:
what should the community, state, and individuals do to
contribute driving forces and overcome these restraints.

3. BUILDING PARTNERSHIP- Based on the study of

Snow, partnership is related to other terms such as
collaboration, coalition, network, task group, work
group, cooperation, and others which are used to
describe a wide variety of relationships and structures.
However, partnership refers to a group of organizations
with a common interest who agree to work together
towards a common goal.
Different methods in Building Partnership in the
Community:
Partnership often starts with coordination, progresses
to cooperation and collaboration, and ultimately results
in partnerships.
Planning Phase - Firstly, a situation analysis of the
external resource environment is required to discover
what RM opportunities may exist and how best to
approach potential resource partners. Secondly, the
resource requirements of the programme or project
should be examined, and a plan developed on how to
engage the likely resource partners. The planning phase
Coordination – At this level, you will learn the services
should ideally establish an RM strategy and action plan
and clients served by the prospect partner. It may also
(for the immediate term), describing how particular
include an exchange of information and materials.
resource partners will be targeted and for which
• Cooperation – At this level, both parties have
resources.
increasing understanding of target audience and
motivation. It also includes greater appreciation of
b. Act Phase – This step is broken into five-step process.
resources and skills that partnership could bring, joint
strategies start to emerged, and minimal agreement
that can happen.
• Collaboration – At this level, partners can work
together on a specific project and put this plan into
writing. It may include the increase recognition of each
values and understanding of benefits for each partner.
• Partnership – There is a high level of trust and
communication and there is the feeling of us. It may
also include the roles and responsibilities are well-
defined and they shared same vision and shared
decision making, authority and plans.

4. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION is a process where we

identify the resources essential for the development,
implementation, and continuation of works for
achieving the organization’s mission. Resource
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c. Reflect Phase - the RM effort (strategy and action action plan to evaluate the effectivity and success of the
plan) is monitored and evaluated, specifically reporting project.
on successes and failures, and working through lessons Hence, the entire above stated methodologies and
learned, to tailor and refocus RM initiatives to maximize approaches must be our guiding light in making and
success. preparing our own community action plan and project

5. Leadership Development and Participatory Planning Module 5 Lesson 1 Formulating a community action
is another important part of the community action. plan
Leaders emanate from selected group, volunteers, or
Things to consider in formulating an action plan
individuals known as the core working group. The
leaders ensure that the essential task, 1. A clear vision
roles/responsibility, goals, and objectives are A clear vision of what you want helps you to see
accomplished. On the other hand, participatory opportunities around your community. It guides you in
planning is an approach to designing active, livable figuring out what you want to do and what actions and
cities, which makes urban planning accessible, activities you need to do to accomplish the goals and
community-driven, and fun. It is grounded in the belief objectives of the organization. A clear vision helps you
that blending local knowledge and expert knowledge take inventory of the strengths and weaknesses of the
lead to strong outcomes. community.
2. A set of values
Values are what an organization believes and the
behaviors it agrees to embody. Some organizations call
these guiding principles, company principles or
company beliefs. Establishing a set of values is just the
first step. Activating those values is where organizations
create true impact. Organizations should start by clearly
defining what each value means to partners and their
behaviors. Clearly defined values create shared
understanding and consistency across an organization.
This clarity empowers employees to embrace the values
and work accordingly
3. The strategic framework
6. Social Action it can be done by one or more persons
A strategic framework is a structured method used to
in such a manner that his/her action is intended to
influence others and perform the action to act or face define how a project or initiative supports the key
some social situation. objectives of stakeholders. To ensure success, the
Elements of Social Action by Talcott Parsons strategic framework must be based on the
a. The Actor – It is the individual who performs the act. organization’s mission, vision, and goals (MVG). The
b. The Goal – These are the aims or objectives for which mission statement explains the purpose of the
the action was done. organization, why the organization exists. The vision
c. Social Situation – The actor performs his/her role in statement describes what the organization aspires to
the presence of some social situation. be; it describes the “future state” organization. Goals
d. Normative Orientation - It is performed on some articulate what needs to be achieved by when, but do
social pattern, custom. All these forms are called norms not describe how those goals will be achieved.
of society.
4. An overall goal
e. Energy - This requires energy for its performance. An overall goal is for the benefit of the whole
Physical energy and training are essential for an act.
community. Just like having a goal in life you must start
with the end in mind, the goal and your vision in
creating an action plan for the community and the
7. Evaluation- It is conducted in the middle and at the stakeholders.
end of the scheduled completion of the community
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COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN? 1. Project Title (Name of Activity) – it describes the

whole plan and understands the main goal of the
A community action plan is a road map for project. The title should be catchy.
implementing community change by identifying and
2. Target Community – who will be the participant and
specifying WHAT will be done, WHO will do it and HOW beneficial to the project.
it will be done. In other words, the action plan describes
3. Nature of Project – it is the description or
what the community wants to accomplish, what
purpose of the project.
activities are required during a specified timeline and
what resources (money, people, and materials) are 4. Objectives – it should be aligned in the aim of the
organization and project seeks to attain. it should be
needed to be successful. The community action plan
SMART (Specific/Significant, Measurable/Manageable,
shall become a framework for implementing sustainable
Achievable/Aligned, Relevant/Result-Oriented and
activities that are decided by the community itself.
Timely/Timebound).

5. Time Frame – it is a must to set a date and time to

implement the project for community. Time is an
irreplaceable resource it should be used and managed
effectively.
6. Persons Involved (Implementers/Partners) – The
responsible and accountable to the project and for task
completion. You need to ensure that the partners are
well-informed and coordinated and the other involved
should informed beforehand.
7. Resources – it is act of contributing and providing in
the project. It can be sponsorship, donations, and the
like.
8. Projected Outcome – “Begin in the end of mind”
means the ability to envision in your mind. In creating
an action, you should have a clear vision of your desire
direction or
destination of your project.

9. Remarks – it should be done after the

implementation of the project. It is used to rate, assess,
and evaluate the project

Parts of Community Action Plan