Community Development

The is no single definition of community development but broadly defined in terms of the work of the Community, Culture and Enterprise Unit it is as follows:

Community development is a range of practices dedicated to increasing the strength and effectiveness of community life, improving local conditions, especially for people in disadvantaged situations, and enabling people to participate in public decision-making and to achieve greater long-term control over their circumstances.

The Scottish Community Development Centre

 

An Straitéis community development work encompasses economic, social, cultural and environmental development. In terms of the Councils approach Community Development, it has a broad remit that also takes account of a number of key factors, namely Social Inclusion, the National Anti-Poverty Strategy and Local Agenda 21.

In practical terms it is about supporting and mobilising communities to participate in decision-making processes which affect their lives. This also means establishing structures which allow this type of participation to take place. The Community Fora and the County Community Forum are part of these structures. Through this local area networking key issues are defined by the Community and Voluntary sector. The County Forum has two representatives on the County Development Board. This structure also allows for consultation with the community and voluntary sector by various agencies and groups. The Strategic Policy Committees of the Council also have representation from the County Forum.

The Community, Culture and Enterprise Directorate facilitates community development activity through the work of the CEDOs at local area level and county level and through support from other Directorate staff on specific work programmes. The Community, Culture and Enterprise Directorate also aims to support community development activity across the other Council Directorates where appropriate.

 

The Community & Voluntary Sector in Donegal encompasses a wide variety of organisations carrying out a broad range of activities. Supporting the development of the Donegal County Community Forum is a key part of this work.

The key goals identified in An Straitéis are as follows:

  • To develop an effective representative structure for Community and Voluntary Groups in Donegal

  • To identify and consolidate the Community & Voluntary sector in Donegal

  • To work to ensure an acceptable quality of life for the people of Donegal, through the sustainable development of rural communities, with due regard to local needs

  • To enhance the co-ordination of all community development groups and activities in the County

  • To identify opportunities for peace-building and reconciliation and develop strategies and activities which promote reconciliation as a means to a sustaining peace

The strategy is set within a national policy framework, which includes:

  • White Paper on Supporting Community & Voluntary Activity, 2000

  • White Paper on Rural Development