The Community Development Handbook
Community development is one of the key tools in community capacity building.
The Community Development Handbook has been created by the Labour Market Learning and Development Unit at Human Resources Development Canada to support the understanding and effective application of community development.
Community capacity is an important consideration in community development as the process of community development itself often results in increased capacity. Therefore, the two are interrelated but distinct. Combined or separate, they both have a great deal to do with developing potential and enhancing community living. This handbook was designed to look at community development, realizing that capacity building and other processes often get confused with it.
This introductory handbook is not designed to be a textbook for practitioners, but as an introductory guide to community development and capacity building. It is designed primarily for those who have an interest in community development but who may not have an in-depth understanding of the concept, the process or the resources available across Canada.
For those already possessing knowledge about the topic and/or experience in the field, this handbook provides a resource for exploring and initiating community development and reviewing the basics of the community development process.
This handbook is designed to spark, rekindle and reaffirm your interest in community development. To do this, information and tools are offered to assist in building common understanding and appropriate approaches.
By reading this book, you should be able to:
- define the terms “community development” and “community capacity building” and explain the link between the two,
- explain the community development process,
- explain the skills and knowledge needed to be effective,
- identify the most common problems experienced in community development and
- explain how experience tells us these problems may be overcome.
- Section I focuses on defining community development and capacity building;
- Section II identifies the conditions that support community development;
- Section III outlines the community development process and how to apply it;
- Section IV explores the attitudes, knowledge and skills required to develop the capacity needed to effectively undertake a community development initiative; and
- Section V examines common issues and concerns as well as providing some possible solutions.
A Facilitator’s Guide has also been developed and is available through Human Resources Development Canada. It is designed to help facilitate learning and discussions about community development based on the contents of this handbook.
To order:
Mail:
Canadian Government Publishing
Communication Canada, Ottawa, ON,
K1A 0S9
Telephone:
(613) 941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943 (Canada & US)
General ordering by fax:
Local (613) 954-5779 or 1-800-565-7757 (Canada & US)
Hearing Impaired Line:
1-800-465-7735
Web site:
http://publications.gc.ca 
DOWNLOAD
To download The Community Development Handbook in PDF format click here
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF file. To get Acrobat Reader click on the button.
If you are a facilitator wishing to develop your own handouts from material in the Handbook, to provide to your participants in a session, download The Community Development Handbook in MS Word 6 format.
Please note, however:© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Human Resources Development.
Permission is granted to copy electronically and print for internal use only.
As this document was developed by Flo Frank and Anne Smith, on behalf of Human Resources Development, these authors must be credited whenever the information is used.
No part of this information may be reproduced, modified, or redistributed in any form or by any means, for any purposes other than those noted above (including sales), without the prior written permission of Human Resources Development. Contact the National Site Manager.
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