FAQ's -
Community Mobilization
1. What is Community Mobilization (CM)?
Community Mobilization is the process of encouraging the community to participate in developing their village. It is a long term strategy. Community mobilization not only implies that the community members, government and NGOs come together to develop a strategy to resolve issues, it also entails the pooling in of their resources.
A key component of community mobilization involves identifying people, who are interested in their development, and developing leaders from within the community by strengthening and building their capacities in various areas. Community mobilization is neither a one-time campaign, nor is it a series of campaigns carried out over a period. It is a continual and cumulative communication through educational and organizational processes that produces a growing autonomy and consciousness in the community about taking development into their hands.
2. Why is community involvement vital?
The Foundation believes in the following principles namely, that sustainability of social change is more likely if the individuals and communities have a sense of ownership in the development process and that communities should be the agents of their own change. Right from the start the Foundation emphasizes the fact that the village community is responsible for its development, and that they should not expect outsiders to get in touch with them to improve their lot. The Foundation firmly believes that information is the key to the development of communities, and hence it provides them with as much information as possible, so that they are able to take informed decisions.
The Foundation involves the community at all stages because after the Foundation withdraws from a particular village it is the community who will sustain the developmental work even. Involving the community will also lead harmony in the village.
3. What is the process of involving the community?
It begins with building a rapport with individual households, followed by a series of community meetings, in which the community is asked to prepare a list of what the village requires. Subsequently, a perspective development plan is prepared. A task is selected for implementation from the list and a strategy is sketched out. Various committees are formed based on the requirements of a particular group. The committees are then provided training to implement the projects.
4. What are the other factors involved in Community Mobilization?
In order to implement any project a small percentage of funds (15-20%) has to be shared by the community. Accordingly, through community mobilization the villagers are encouraged to contribute, based on their capacity, in cash or kind e.g. free labor at the construction site, ensure water is available for the construction, donate a certain quantity of cereals, monitoring the construction work etc. The Foundation believes that a small share of the community contribution will instill a sense of ownership and responsibility towards maintaining the project, which will eventually lead to sustainability.
5. What is the Foundation's community mobilization strategy?
In a nutshell the Foundation's community mobilization strategy involves four stages: (a) Identify and develop leadership, (b) Create partnerships (c) Establish a Village Level Institution (VLI) and (d) identify assets and resources to support the VLI.
6. What is a Village Level Institution (VLI)?
As the name suggests, it is an institution at the village level formed by the villagers themselves. A VLI is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
7. What is the purpose of establishing a Village Level Institution (VLI)?
The Foundation's aim is to promote sustainable development, therefore, it forms a VLI and handovers the responsibility of continuing the development work to the villagers after the Foundation withdraws from a particular village.
8. How will the VLI sustain itself after the Foundation withdraws from a village?
Capacity building and financial independence are the critical factors for a sustainable VLI. The VLI is educated and trained in how to effectively raise funds and to access the various sources of funding, which include community contributions, government schemes and both local and international NGOs. The Foundation is also exploring the possibility of raising funds from an alternative source, for example, farmers who are members of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (FUGA) can be convinced to donate a percentage of their earnings sold through the association.
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