Creating a community profile
Surveying a community, frequently referred to as community development, is most often the first step. A survey should be undertaken by an organization wishing to energize a community around a specific problem. The organization needs to know the community’s geographic and demographic characteristics, problems, pressing priorities, and past experiences in dealing with different issues. During the survey process, the organization may draw on its own experience and previous surveys and reports.
Community survey
After desk research and data analysis are completed, an organization can look closely at the community through qualitative research. Among a diverse variety of research methodologies, the focus group is a common technique for understanding community context and gaining insight into its problems, needs, and challenges. A focus group should represent the community. This means equal representation for men and women and residents from any ethnic minority. It is also important that the research be conducted by specialists with the expertise to design, structure, and carry out the questioning process.
Creating a working group
Community organization (mobilization) is about creating a working group composed of representative and active members of the local citizenry. Such factions may be called a community coalition, a working group, an initiative group, or a committee. Members of such a group must come together and function as a unit, sharing the same interests and fighting for the same results. Its composition should be carefully planned to reflect a broad spectrum of considerations, including ethnic, age-specific, linguistic, and other interests. By establishing such strong community ties, a working group acquires legitimacy and a high credibility level.
Working group analysis
The next step is to conduct a SWOT analysis to pinpoint the working group’s current positions. This technique identifies the group’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Its assessment tools can explore how advanced the group’s advocacy skills are and how well-aware the group is of civic activism and media literacy principles.
Meeting the working group’s needs
Following the analysis of a working group, the needs of its members should be considered. For example, if members need additional training to build their advocacy skills, they will receive it.
Prioritization of problems within the coalition
A working group must reach an agreement when prioritizing the problems facing it. Interviewing group members may reveal hundreds of topics that are personally important. However, if problems are prioritized, with several key issues singled out, the group can then focus and build its advocacy campaign on realistic goals.
Working out an advocacy strategy
A strategic plan and its objectives should set forth all steps necessary for a successful outcome. Its tactics will stipulate how the advocacy campaign will be carried out (various tools, such as media involvement and other mechanisms of civic engagement, including petitions, general assembly, participation in city assemblies, and so on, may be used).
Developing an action plan
Experience indicates that raising public awareness with media campaigns and other campaigns can bring on the next stage of strategic development. The planning process should analyze players and parties involved so that rivals and allies are identified in advance.
Civic monitoring
Monitoring the results of any advocacy campaign should also be participatory. Once the advocacy campaign is completed, citizens should be encouraged to monitor government activities, participate in participatory formats, attend meetings, watch bidding processes, and participate in public meetings. This civic monitoring ensures that society and its members hold the government accountable and responsible for meeting the designated needs of its citizenry.
