Community Development
- Page to the Community Development Network
Contents
Definitions
[We will take stock of how others have defined these terms, and arrive at our own definitions so that it can encompass the wide array of work and the relevant key constructs (e.g. participation, empowerment, social justice etc). Also how different groups define it could vary, eg government, social workers, community workers etc, so we should take note of this]
Community Work
The National Social Work Competency Framework defines it as a direct practice that involves direct contact with clients and beneficiaries at the community level to address their needs. The key responsibility area for community work in the NSWCF is to: “Develop new community support systems which bring about enhanced psycho social well-being of the community.”
Community Development
"Community development is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline concerned with the organisation, education and empowerment of people within their communities" [1]
Community Engagement
Background and History of Community Development in Singapore
Issues Faced by Community Workers / Organisations
Issue 1 Research Capability of Community Workers
Existing Resources
Lee Choon Guan Research Fund
https://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/swk/research/mrs_lee_choon_guan_trust/lee_choon_guan_grant - serves to promote social service research among practitioners in the community. Successful applicants will work with an acad. from social work department in NUS and they get access to NUS research resources. This fund is limited to practitioners with social work qualifications.
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Community Fellowships (e.g. https://www.artstrategies.org/programs/creative-community-fellows/)
Issue 2
Existing Resources
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Issue 3
Existing Resources
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Issue 4
Existing Resources
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Local Initiatives
Lin Shiyun and team. -- a community artist and her works in and with the community include: Let’s Go PLay OutSide! (https://artswok.org/article/letsgoplayoutside), The Rubbish Prince (https://www.facebook.com/therubbishprince/) and more.
Resource Directory
Professional Associations
International Association for Community Development
Democratic Innovations and Civic Participation
https://democracycollaborative.org/
Founded in 2000 at the University of Maryland as a research center dedicated to the pursuit of democratic renewal, increased civic participation, and community revitalization
Resources on building community wealth, set up by the Democracy Collaborative
"A global community sharing knowledge and stories about public participation and democratic innovations"
Sorted by case studies and approaches (eg participatory budgeting, deliberative polling, citizen's jury). You can post your own cases too.
ABCD Resources
https://www.abundantcommunity.com/
Useful starter kit for practitioners who want to do Asset-Based Community Development
Saul Alinsky texts:
Voluntary Organisations that do Community Work
South Central Community Family Service Centre
Marine Parade Family Service Centre (comm outreach team working with the homeless at East Coast)
Tsao Foundation Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA)