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