Community Action Plan
Leonellha Barreto Dillon, seecon gmbh
Community Action Plan
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The contents of the SSWM Toolbox reflect the opinions of the respective authors and not necessarily the official opinion of the funding or
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Depending on the initial situations and respective local circumstances, there is no guarantee that single measures described in the toolbox
will make the local water and sanitation system more sustainable. The main aim of the SSWM Toolbox is to be a reference tool to provide
ideas for improving the local water and sanitation situation in a sustainable manner. Results depend largely on the respective situation
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Community Action Plan
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Community Action Plans
The community action plan is a road map for implementing
community change in sanitation and water management by clarifying:
what will be done
who will do it and
how it will be done.
The community action plan should become a framework for
implementing the activities that are decided by the community itself.
Community Action Plan
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General Principles of Community Action Plans (Adapted from UNDP n.y.)
·1 It is a process for action; not a blueprint for future development.
·2 The solution for problems comes from the community itself and
the role of the facilitator is more on formulating the problems in the
community.
·3 It is not determined from outside the community but
grows/emerges from the affected community.
Community Action Plan
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General Principles of Community Action Plans (cont.)
·4 Avoid activities such as lecturing or teaching the people; but
concentrate more on workshops as a form of discussion with the
community.
·5 Guarantee that all relevant groups participate in the activities,
particularly the women and other community groups that are often
forgotten.
·6 Facilitate input from all groups; do not allow one group or leader to
dominate the discussion.
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General Principles of Community Action Plans (cont.)
·7 Remember that one issue might appear to be not very important for one
group, but is important for another group.
·8 Avoid too many pictures and text; it is better to absorb and remember
several points rather than make a long list.
·9 Use simple language and avoid difficult terms.
·10 Make the material as simple as possible.
Community Action Plan
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What do you need to write a Community Action Plan with
the community? (Adapted from MIT n.y.)
A community-based workshop (2-5 days)
-Motivated community
-A confident moderator/facilitator/organiser
-Materials (markers, large sheets of paper and boards to display
outputs)
-Venue for the workshop
-Inputs from the initiators (technical persons)
Community Action Plan
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What would be the output of the workshop?
The output of the workshop is a sanitation
and water management development plan
which contains a list of prioritised problems,
strategies and options for dealing with the
identified problems.
Community Action Plan
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Steps in formulating a Community Action Plan
(Adapted from UNDP
n.y.)
1. Opening: Introduction and Socialisation
2. Social and Environmental Mapping
3. Identifying the Problems, Needs and Resource
Potential
4. Determining the Priority in Problems and
Needs
5. Formulating the Choice of Strategy
• Gathering Ideas
• Situation and
Problem Analysis
• Deciding
6. Formulating the Choice of Action
7. Formulating the Implementation Plan
Community Action Plan
• Planning with
the community
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Suggested Community Action Plan Template (Source: TCCO (1995).
1. Cover Letter from the Mayor or community leader
2. Introduction (purpose of the action plan and how it was developed)
3. Community Profile (characteristics of the
4. Community Action Plan
municipality, identified problems and needs)
(actions to be taken, schedule and the division of tasks)
5. Resources (where to go for financial support, get advice, educational material)
6. Network (contact list of key groups, government departments and other supporting)
Community Action Plan
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Advantages of Community Action Plans
•Strong participation of the local community regarding sanitation and
water issues
•By implementing Community Action Plans, the solution for problems
comes from the community itself and the role of the facilitator is more
on formulating the problems in the community.
•Guarantees that all relevant groups participate in the activities,
particularly the women and other community groups that are often
forgotten.
•Guarantees the acceptance and support of the solution by the local
community.
Community Action Plan
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Disadvantages of Community Action Plans
•Requires time and resources to integrate all the relevant
stakeholders in the process.
•Finding consensus among all the community members can take ages
or might be impossible.
•Community Action Plans are not going to be developed without
strongly motivated and encouraged local community members.
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References
ACPHD (2004): A Handbook for Participatory Community Assessments Experiences from Alameda County. Oakland: ACPHD. URL:
http://www.acphd.org/AXBYCZ/Admin/-DataReports/commhandbook_allweb.pdf [Accessed: 11.08.2010].
FAO (2001): Field Level Handbook. SEAGA Socio-Economic and Gender Analysis Programme. Rom: FAO. URL:
http://www.fao.org/sd/seaga/downloads/En/FieldEn.pdf [Accessed: 11.08.2010].
MIT (n.y.): Interactive Community Planning: Community Action Planning (Micro Planning). Massachusetts: Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. URL: http://web.mit.edu/urbanupgrading/upgrading/issues-tools/tools/Micro-Planning.html
[Accessed: 11.08.2010].
TCCO (1995): Community Action for the Environment. A Guide to Helping Your Community Go Green. Ontario: The
Conservation Council of Ontario. URL: http://www.greenontario.org/caction/comman5.htm [Accessed: 21.10.2010].
UNDEP (n.y.): Ache- Nias Settlement Support Program. ANSSP Guidelines. Volume 2. CAP Community Action Plan and Village
Mapping. URL: http://www.unhabitat-indonesia.org/files/book-1407.pdf [Accessed: 11.08.2010].
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“Linking up Sustainable Sanitation,
Water Management & Agriculture”
SSWM is an initiative
supported by:
Compiled by:
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