Community activities – Presentation of community achievements

Definition

For the purposes of this guide, anything achieved as a result of the activity or collaboration of the locals or their communities in the process of community development will be called a community achievement, regardless of whether it is part of the community action plan. Any event or activity organized by the local community may be considered a community achievement, e.g. a youth club refurbished by the local youth, or a newly created Facebook page… In other words, any event, action, project, process or ‘thing’ implemented within in the framework of, or as a result or consequence of, community development.

Purpose of the activity

When presenting community achievements, the purpose is to let a lot of people find out about the given event, action, project, process or ‘thing’, to make sure that not only the active participants are aware of them, but others as well.

Key terms

involvement, local action plan, local publicity, information point, achievements of a community development process, community exhibition

Conditions

The conditions depend on the tool and method selected.

Applied tools and methods

We have a practically endless range of tools to present an achievement to as many people as possible:

• We may write about it on the community’s website, Facebook page, in the local paper; we need to make sure that these contributions are made by the participants and not by us, mentioning as many participants by name as possible (thus promoting the communal recognition of those acting for the community);
• We may post photos of the event and of the individual steps of the process in the foyer of the local cultural institution, or in other community venues (including restaurants as well as bus stops);
• Participants in the implementation may give presentations about the preparation and implementation process, where the audience may get a backstage view of the organization of a local festival, for instance;
• We may arrange an exhibition to display the artwork of the newly launched arts-and-crafts course, or another one displaying objects in connection with the given achievement, from the collection of the local museum or archives.

When drafting our community action plan, we should take every opportunity to consider how best to communicate the achievement, in case the plans are successfully implemented.

Results, expected outcome

We can, on the one hand, ensure an increasing attendance at community events and, on the other hand, we can contribute to the acknowledgement of the active locals working for their community.

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This article based on the following document: Community development methodological guide