Process of Community Development

Step1          : Study and Analysis of the Community

The first and most crucial step in the process of community development is the study and analysis of the community. This involves a systematic understanding of the community’s demographic, social, cultural, economic, and political conditions. Planners, social workers, and local leaders gather both qualitative and quantitative information to identify the resources, needs, strengths, and challenges of the community. This step ensures that development efforts are not based on assumptions but on evidence, making interventions more effective and relevant to the people’s actual situations.

In this stage, techniques such as surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and social mapping are often applied. The analysis highlights both the “felt needs” (what the community perceives as their problems) and the “real needs” (issues identified through objective assessment). Murray G. Ross (1955) stresses that without a proper understanding of the community context, any development initiative risks failure because it may not align with people’s priorities.

Example: In a rural village of Nepal, a study revealed that residents initially considered poor road connectivity as their main issue. However, deeper analysis showed that the lack of clean drinking water was causing recurring health problems and higher medical expenses. With this insight, the community prioritized safe water supply as the first intervention, while still planning for better road connectivity in the long term. This example shows how careful study and analysis guide communities to make informed and sustainable development decisions.

Step2          : Awareness and Problem Identification

After studying and analyzing the community, the next step is awareness and problem identification. At this stage, the focus is on helping community members recognize and understand their shared needs and challenges. Awareness is created through meetings, group discussions, campaigns, and participatory activities so that people themselves can define and prioritize the problems they face. This is important because development efforts are more effective when the community feels ownership of the issues and solutions rather than relying solely on outside experts.

Problem identification involves separating immediate concerns from long-term structural issues. Communities are encouraged to list their problems, discuss their causes, and analyze how these issues affect their daily lives. By doing so, they can set priorities and decide which problems need urgent attention. According to the United Nations (1955), collective recognition of problems not only strengthens unity but also motivates people to act together.

Example: In a semi-urban area of Nepal, local people initially viewed unemployment as their main issue. However, through group discussions facilitated by social workers, they realized that poor vocational skills and lack of training opportunities were the root causes of unemployment. By identifying this deeper problem, the community decided to prioritize establishing skill development centers. This process of awareness and collective problem identification empowered the community to focus on long-term solutions rather than just temporary relief.

Step3          : Planning and Program Formulation

Once problems are identified and prioritized, the next step is planning and program formulation. This stage involves designing practical strategies and action plans to address the community’s needs. Planning is done jointly by community members, local leaders, and professionals to ensure that programs are realistic, achievable, and aligned with available resources. Effective planning also sets clear objectives, timelines, roles, and responsibilities, creating a roadmap for implementation.

A key principle at this stage is participatory planning, where community members actively contribute their ideas and knowledge. This builds ownership and ensures that plans reflect local realities instead of external assumptions. Program formulation also considers the balance between immediate needs (short-term projects) and long-term sustainable development goals. Murray G. Ross (1955) emphasizes that well-designed planning strengthens cooperation, avoids duplication of efforts, and enhances community confidence.

Example: In a flood-prone community of the Terai region in Nepal, people identified frequent flooding as their main challenge. Through participatory planning sessions, they designed a two-part program: (a) constructing embankments and improving drainage systems to deal with the immediate risk, and (b) initiating tree plantation and awareness campaigns to reduce long-term environmental vulnerability. This joint planning ensured that both urgent and preventive measures were addressed systematically.

Step4          : Organization and Mobilization of Resources

After planning and program formulation, the next crucial step is organization and mobilization of resources. This involves bringing together the community’s human, financial, and material resources to implement the planned activities. Community development emphasizes self-help, so people are encouraged to contribute their skills, labor, and locally available materials. At the same time, external resources such as government funds, NGO support, or technical expertise are sought to complement local efforts. Organizing resources also requires strong leadership, proper coordination, and transparent management to ensure that resources are used effectively and fairly.

Mobilization goes beyond gathering resources—it focuses on motivating people to actively participate and sustain their commitment throughout the development process. It also includes building partnerships with local institutions, government agencies, and private sectors to maximize support. According to the UN (1955), successful community development depends not only on what resources are available but also on how effectively they are mobilized and utilized.

Example: In a hilly village of Nepal, the community planned to build a small irrigation canal. Villagers contributed labor and locally available stones, while the local government provided cement and technical supervision. Additionally, a nearby NGO supported the project by supplying tools. By mobilizing both internal and external resources, the community successfully completed the canal, which improved agricultural productivity and strengthened collective unity.

Step5          : Action / Implementation of Programs

Once resources are organized and mobilized, the next step is action or implementation of programs. This stage involves executing the plans through the active participation of community members, guided by local leaders and development professionals. The emphasis is on collective effort, cooperation, and self-help, ensuring that the community is directly involved rather than being passive recipients of aid. Implementation also requires adapting plans to real-time challenges, as unforeseen issues often arise during execution.

Successful implementation relies on effective coordination, delegation of responsibilities, and maintaining regular communication among participants. Monitoring progress during this phase ensures that activities stay on track and meet the intended objectives. According to Bhattacharyya (2004), active participation in implementation not only addresses community needs but also strengthens local capacities, confidence, and leadership skills, which are essential for sustainable development.

Example: In a flood-affected village of Nepal, the community had previously planned to build embankments and conduct tree-plantation campaigns. During implementation, villagers worked together to dig canals, construct protective barriers, and plant saplings along riverbanks. Some unexpected heavy rains required them to reinforce certain sections of the embankment, which they did collectively. By actively participating in the process, the community not only reduced flood risk but also developed stronger bonds and skills for future projects.

Step6          : Evaluation and Feedback

After the programs are implemented, the next step is evaluation and feedback. This stage involves systematically assessing the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of development activities. Evaluation helps determine whether the objectives have been achieved, identifies challenges or shortcomings, and measures the overall benefits to the community. Both quantitative indicators (e.g., number of beneficiaries, resources used) and qualitative indicators (e.g., community satisfaction, social cohesion) are used to get a complete picture of outcomes.

Feedback from the community plays a critical role in this step. It ensures that the voices of local people are heard, and their suggestions are incorporated into future planning. Regular evaluation and feedback also promote transparency, accountability, and continuous learning. According to the United Nations (1955), a development initiative without evaluation is incomplete because it misses the opportunity to improve and sustain community progress.

Example: In a rural area of Nepal where a health awareness program was implemented, the evaluation showed that while knowledge about sanitation improved, actual practice of proper waste disposal was still low. Feedback sessions with villagers revealed that the lack of dustbins was a key barrier. Using this feedback, the community decided to construct communal dustbins and conduct additional awareness sessions. This evaluation and feedback loop ensured that the program became more effective and responsive to real needs.

Step7          : Continuation and Self-Reliance

The final step in the process of community development is continuation and self-reliance, which focuses on sustaining the gains achieved through earlier steps. The goal is to empower the community to continue development activities independently, without relying solely on external support. This stage emphasizes building local leadership, institutional capacity, and resource management skills so that the community can identify future needs, plan, and implement solutions on its own.

Self-reliance also involves creating structures and systems that maintain long-term development. Communities are encouraged to form committees, cooperatives, or local organizations to manage ongoing programs, monitor progress, and address new challenges. According to Bhattacharyya (2004), fostering self-reliance ensures that development is not a one-time intervention but a continuous process that strengthens social cohesion and resilience.

Example: In a rural village of Nepal, after successfully implementing a drinking water project, the community formed a water management committee to oversee maintenance, collect minimal user contributions, and plan future expansion. Over time, this committee not only maintained the existing system but also initiated additional projects such as small-scale irrigation and hygiene campaigns. By taking responsibility for their development, the village achieved sustainability and reduced dependence on external aid.

Approaches to Community Development