Why Community Development Programs Fail (And How to Fix Them)
MercieTania Malenga
Executive Director| Consultant | NGO and Business Development | Speaker & Facilitator| Copywriter I Program and Project management I Change Maker l Dream ChaserIMBA
Community development programs are a powerful tool to create lasting change, but unfortunately, many of them fail to make the impact they aim for. The reason behind this failure often lies in a critical mistake: not involving the community in decision-making. It sounds simple, but it’s a mistake that costs communities their voice and ultimately the success of the program.
At the heart of every successful community development program is community participation. If we really want to build programs that work and have a lasting impact, we need to start by listening to and empowering the people we’re trying to help. So, let’s dive into why so many community development efforts fall short and how we can fix them by approaching things differently.
The Core Problem: Not Involving the Community
It’s easy to assume that because we’ve identified a need, we can design a solution. However, when communities aren’t part of the conversation from the beginning, the solutions we create often miss the mark. What works for one community may not work for another, and without understanding the specific needs, values, and priorities of a community, we risk creating initiatives that aren’t sustainable or relevant.
A study by the World Bank highlights just how critical community participation is for the success of development programs. The report points out that when communities are actively involved, the outcomes are much more likely to be effective, lasting, and truly beneficial (World Bank, 2007). Without this participation, the program risks being something that’s “done to” the community rather than something that’s “created with” them.
One example of this failure can be seen in the post-earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti. The Cash for Work program, while well-intentioned, failed because it wasn’t developed with local input. People were hired for short-term manual labor, but once the program ended, there were no long-term solutions in place to improve the community’s economic stability or build sustainable skills (Baker & Lind, 2011). Without involving the community in the planning and decision-making, the program lacked the sustainability needed to have lasting benefits.
What Makes a Program Truly Successful?
A successful community development program is built on three essential pillars: needs-based planning, community-led solutions, and capacity building with a focus on sustainability.
1. Needs-based Planning
The first step in creating a truly impactful program is understanding the real needs of the community. Often, programs are designed with an assumption about what the community needs, but this can be far off the mark. It’s crucial to take the time to listen to the community, assess their needs, and gather data. This helps ensure that interventions are targeted and relevant, rather than being based on guesses or generalized ideas.
A needs assessment allows communities to articulate their priorities. It’s about giving them the chance to tell their own story. This ensures that programs are developed with the right focus from the start and prevents wasteful or irrelevant solutions. As the UNDP (2016) points out, programs that are community-driven are far more likely to succeed because they are shaped by the unique needs of the people they aim to serve.
2. Community-led Solutions
People who live in the community are often the most knowledgeable about their own problems. Community-led solutions allow people to leverage their insights and creativity to design interventions that work for them. Instead of imposing an “outside” solution, we need to create the space for communities to lead the charge.
For example, Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) in Bangladesh is a powerful example of this approach. CLTS focuses on empowering local communities to take control of their sanitation needs, rather than relying on external experts or solutions. By engaging local people to identify their problems and come up with their own solutions, the program has seen huge improvements in health and sanitation outcomes. It’s a prime example of how communities, when given the right tools, can come up with the best solutions for themselves (Kar, 2003).
领英推荐
3. Capacity Building & Sustainability
A program may succeed in the short term, but if it doesn't build capacity within the community to carry on the work, then it’s setting itself up for failure. True success comes when communities can sustain the changes long after external support has ended.
This is where capacity building comes in. It’s about equipping the community with the skills, knowledge, and resources to take charge of their future. When communities are empowered to manage their own resources, make decisions, and continue the work, the benefits are lasting.
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) emphasized the importance of building local capacity and ensuring that communities are not just recipients of aid but active participants in their development (UNDP, 2016). Building this capacity also ensures that communities are more resilient, prepared for future challenges, and able to thrive on their own.
How to Fix It: Involve the Community from the Start
To truly fix community development, we need to start by involving the community at every stage. From the very beginning; when we're planning and designing programs,we need to actively engage the community and make sure their voices are heard. This isn’t just a one-time consultation; it’s an ongoing collaboration that continues throughout the life of the program.
In every project I take on, I make sure to listen first, working with the community to understand their needs and creating solutions together. This approach fosters trust and ensures that the solutions are not only effective but also sustainable. By helping the community develop their own skills and capacity, we ensure that they can continue to benefit from the program even after it ends.
Conclusion
Community development programs are at their best when they are needs-based, community-led, and focus on sustainability. By involving the community in the process from the very start and empowering them to take control, we create solutions that are relevant, effective, and long-lasting.
In my work, I focus on these principles because I believe they lead to programs that truly make a difference. If you’re looking to design a community development program that has a real, lasting impact, I’d love to help you create something tailored to the needs of the people you aim to serve.
References