Community Building

“Until the people recognize that it is they who must do something about their own problems,
and that it is only THEY who can be trusted to do the right thing-and until they realize that
only if they organize enough power in their community that something can be done about these
things, nothing will get done.”

– Carl Tjerandsen, Education for Citizenship: A Foundations Experience

What is Community Building?

Community Building is a long-term approach where the people affected by an issue are supported in identifying problems and taking action to achieve solutions. The builder challenges those he or she works with to change the way things are—it is a means of achieving social change through collective action by changing the balance of power. The tactics and strategies employed by the builder are similar to the processes of leadership including timing the issue, deliberate planning, educating and involving the residents, getting the attention of the populace, framing the issue in terms of the desired solution, and shaping the terms of the decision-making proves.