Autumn 2012

Building bridges in Maharashtra: a dual approach to tackling poverty 03

Passage from India: Re-imagining self-interest and common good through Self-Reliant Groups (SRGs) in Scotland 06

Community development and poverty: reflections on experience in Scotland 08

Tackling poverty in Scotland: a local view 10

Asset building in Europe: a community approach 12

Brazil and the struggle against poverty 14

Celebrating co-operatives: a global movement to build a better world 16

Community organising: the Chicago experience 19

Victory Village Forum: a partnership approach to transformation 21

About IACD 23

Issue 1: Poverty and Community Development Traditional fishing forced out by Editorial industry on the Mumbai-Goa coast Prof. Marjorie Mayo

overty has been increasing in far the contributions of community- too many countries across the based strategies, such as asset Taken together these Pglobe, despite the promises of building initiatives in Europe and articles offer a range of the Millennium Development Goals. In the development of co-operatives in the relatively wealthy city of London, Africa and Canada – whilst recognising experiences, based upon in UK for example, the top 10% of the the significance of the wider policy population receive 273 times more than context as well. Others demonstrate the varying perspectives and the bottom 10%. Poverty is a major potential for building bridges between problem in relatively rich countries as different types of approach. This dual approaches amongst IACD well as in relatively poorer ones. And approach emerges from the Indian members and others. so is inequality. Neo-liberal economic case studies, for instance, illustrating strategies have been loading the ways in which communities have been burdens of austerity in Europe onto engaged in self-help initiatives, building the shoulders of the poor. It is the on community assets, whilst also being On behalf of IACD Board members and most disadvantaged who are engaged in advocacy – campaigning staff, we hope you find this publication disproportionately suffering as a result against exploitation by employers, useful and we welcome your feedback. of the financial crisis from 2008. and campaigning against so-called IACD is a vehicle for sharing experiences Meanwhile inequality has been ‘development’ projects that undermine and reflections across geographical increasing too, even when countries poor people’s livelihoods. Rather than and cultural boundaries, with the aim of Building bridges in such as India have been experiencing seeing asset-based development as identifying solutions to challenges which, overall high levels of economic being in competition with strategies despite differing contexts, have much growth. This all matters desperately, to tackle root causes, these examples in common. We invite you to join the with devastating effects on people’s illustrate ways in which these can be conversation. Maharashtra: a dual livelihoods, undermining their health mutually re-enforcing approaches. Prof Marjorie Mayo is an IACD Board and well-being and exacerbating member and Chair of IACD’s task force social tensions more widely. The articles raise important questions about the potential – and indeed the for Learning and Practice Exchange. approach to tackling poverty This publication, the first in our new limits – of locally based community She has been Professor of Community series of biannual ‘International development. The importance of Development at Goldsmiths, University Practice Insights’, explores community building alliances emerges from the of London, where she currently still development strategies in response. discussion of community organising for works part-time although formally In August 2012, IACD held its first ever Practitioner Dialogue, in Maharashtra, India. How have those engaged in community instance, a theme which emerges too in retired. development been addressing the the Brazilian context, although in very This was an opportunity for practitioners from around the world to hear from some of structural causes of increasing poverty different circumstances, taking account and inequality? How have they been of vibrant popular movements for social the strongest examples of grassroots community development and advocacy work in balancing community-based advocacy change and social justice. India, and to explore processes in dialogue with local practitioners and with each other. and campaigning strategies with the Join the network: need to strengthen communities’ own The Brazilian example also raises important questions about the ways www.iacdglobal.org/join-us survival strategies in the here and now? he Dialogue involved small construction materials, agricultural land traditions, women are those who in which local communities interact And how have communities and those group visits to urban and rural salinated by the blocking of estuaries, miss out most.” with the state, progressive political who work with them been working communities who are oganising and mangroves destroyed. Local people, Industrialisation is not the only factor with others, in social movements and in parties and structures of representative Autumn 2012 T themselves to tackle poverty. This coming from long traditions of land- or democracy. These relationships between at play. Many of the communities structures of governance? IACD’s view article focuses on one of these – a visit sea-based livelihoods, have lacked the local communities and the state emerge Sakav works in are among the is that poverty and inequality need to to a small NGO, Sakav. Some of us had education or technical skills to secure in the Scottish context too, exploring indigenous groups included in the be tackled at both ends, addressing the privilege of spending two days with employment in these industries. Rather immediate needs whilst campaigning ways in which local authorities might Indian constitution’s appended list Building bridges the Sakav team at their training centre than working to upskill the local to take on structural causes, for the support local communities, enabling in Maharashtra: a dual of ‘scheduled tribes’. (According to approach to tackling poverty 03 in an indigenous village, and with population, companies address labour people to make their voices heard. Passage from India: the Indian government’s National longer term. Re-imagining self-interest and common good through members of some of the communities shortages by importing workers from These are particularly important issues Self-Reliant Groups Commission for Scheduled Tribes, (SRGs) in Scotland 06 with whom they work. elsewhere. to address, given the wider anti-statist Community development these are communities who for and poverty: reflections rhetoric that has been characteristic on experience in Scotland 08 historical, social and geographical Poverty is a major Tackling poverty Context of neo-liberalism – arguing the case in Scotland: a local view 10 “As communities lose reasons “were suffering from extreme Asset building in Europe: problem in relatively for cutting collectively provided public a community approach 12 Sakav operates amongst fishing and social, educational and economic Brazil and the struggle their cultural traditions, services whilst expanding the scope for against poverty 14 farming communities in the Raigad backwardness… and who need special rich countries as well Celebrating consideration for safeguarding their services to be provided for profit, via the co-operatives: district, Konkan region, along the women are those who a global movement private sector. to build a better world 16 Mumba-Goa national highway. Two- interests and for their accelerated as in relatively poorer Community organising: the Chicago experience 19 thirds of the population here are miss out most.” socio-economic development…”). Taken together these articles offer Victory Village Forum: ones. And so is a partnership approach dependent on natural resources, but Traditionally, many tribal people a range of experiences, based upon to transformation 21 About IACD 23 rapid industrialisation has in recent years The loss of traditional livelihoods has have cultivated forestlands, and inequality. varying perspectives and approaches seen these degraded or destroyed. forced workers into scratching a living some indeed have access to these amongst IACD members and others. The Large companies in the petrochemical, on the periphery of Mumbai, or lands under legislation; but title to aim is to stimulate discussion, reflecting Issue 1: Poverty and Community Development steel, plastics and other industries have migrating altogether. The knock-on lands is not clearly established and This collection of articles provides on the varying ways in which community quickly bought up land, changed its use effects include child malnutrition and an they are often evicted. This extreme illustrations of varying types of development can contribute to tackling and asserted their control over it. Their increase in domestic violence. As Sakav insecurity has naturally led to a focus approach, rooted in very different the scourges of poverty and inequality, Photograph of Vera courtesy of operations have led to environmental founder Arun Shivkar comments: on survival, rather than any more local situations. Some focus upon across the globe. Rae Manger disaster: sandy areas are plundered for “As communities lose their cultural long-term community development.

2 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 3 Fishing communities activists in each People’s Organisation, About Sakav “Agitation processes can fail if they aren’t backed by and all continue to volunteer with their In the 1970s, local man Arun Shivkar Despite these impressive successes, the PO in addition to being Sakav employees. was involved in fighting the exploitation knowledge, if they are just an emotional response.” struggles go on. On the second day, we This ensures there is no sense of ‘them’ of workers on the Konkan railway. They met with men and women from the fishing and ‘us’, that staff are facilitators, rather were being paid 8-9 rupees for a 10-12 communities along the coast, some of whom than experts parachuted in from outside. hour day (work which normally attracted had travelled 70km to participate in our Staff capacity building is mainly around 32 rupees per day). “I realised that the dialogue. A scene of industrial ravage greeted literacy and communication skills, and lack of organisation was leading to us – a large steel plant belching out fumes effective communication involves the ability exploitation”, Arun explained to us. and industrial waste into air and water which to use traditional cultural expression – song “People didn’t realise what they could had formerly provided hundreds of people and dance – as a tool for organising and achieve through organisation and weren’t with their livelihoods. The ISPAT Steel plant is rallying people around a structure or a cause. used to agitation [protest]. Some older one of many such industrial operations along Members of the fishing communities people were suspicious, and scared of this stretch of coastline. show us the 2010 Order, so far DST Pune, our hosts for the Dialogue and the losing their wages. I found the facts about “First, their large boats destroyed our nets largely ignored support NGO who have worked with Sakav government rates per square foot of and our smaller boats”, the men explained. over many years, have given support when railway and led a march for fair wages “As the lands were leveled for the confirms the complainants’ right of asked, in ways requested. We witnessed over two days, with a stick and a bit of construction of industrial units, chemicals fishery and points to the “abnormal the huge respect which the Sakav team red cloth borrowed from a friend. We were released into the sea, poisoning the delay” which “caused great inconvenience and community members had for DST. joined negotiations and pay increased fish. Small inlets were blocked, causing to the affected persons. It really affected It was clear, however, that the agenda and to 30-35 rupees per day. News of this sea waters to recede, taking the fish with their rights…” The Commission Order urges processes were firmly grounded in and spread from village to village…” them. Mangroves, where many fish breed, the early rehabilitation of all 1630 affected led by the communities themselves. families and “to do all the acts which are Arun worked as a union leader in Mumbai were dug up to make way for roads. Some necessary for the welfare and for the textile mills before returning to his village. breeds of fish have become totally extinct.” Final reflections benefit of the complainants…” His experiences taught him a great deal There are many things about Sakav’s about protest: “Agitation processes can fail “there is no sense of To date, of the 1630 families, only 318 have work which make it special. Not least, if they aren’t backed by knowledge, if they been given any form of compensation. the dual approach of asset building and are just an emotional response.” Arun also Women from the Network show us images of the land rehabilitation process ‘them’ and ‘us’… The compensation, though helpful, has empowering people to fight for their recognises that ‘agitation’ has to run enabled them to repair and update their rights in a way which bridges gaps alongside development: the two are staff are facilitators, equipment, but it does not represent between well-intentioned legislation mutually supporting. This dual approach – The impact: successes and struggles rehabilitation to a new and sustainable and the rather harsher reality. a combination of agitation and asset based rather than experts way of life. According to the people we development – has been at the heart of Tribal land rights Rights and land rehabilitation parachuted in from met, the companies, subject to central As we drove back to Pune, the DST Sakav’s work since it began in 1988. government, rather than state controls, facilitator reflected on next steps. Sakav We met with a group of tribal men who The Women’s Struggling Network began outside.” are ignoring the plight of families as they staff lack English language skills and so were celebrating the success of having as a cluster of seven Self-Help Groups argue between themselves how much are hampered in their ability to deal with Sakav acts as a catalyst fought for, and gained, legal rights to land in the farming community. The women’s each should provide to fund the institutions. State Government is no they had farmed for generations. The livelihoods – and their ability to save The irony is that India is one of 195 rehabilitation. In the meantime, they problem – communication is in Marathi – or bridge – between Indian government’s Forest Act in theory – were lost after the construction of two signatories to an international Code of try to replace some of their lost income – but formal Central Government people and government. guaranteed their access to the land; but factories blocked outlets to the sea, Conduct on fishing, which aims to provide by taking on menial jobs in the industries communications tend to be in English. in practice they had lived in constant causing flooding and salination of the land. for small fishing communities and to which have supplanted them. However, DST are well aware of what else insecurity, sometimes threatened, abused The women sought support from those enable traditional methods to continue. there is to lose: “All the Sakav staff are and moved on by forest guards. in neighbouring villages and, with the Under Indian law, any industry wishing The struggle goes on, and the volunteers in their communities as well Another fundamental principle is support of Sakav, formed the Network. to move to the area has to secure a communities are eager to connect as staff members. This means they stay embodied in the organisation’s name, Sakav’s first step was to get to grips with “No Objection Certificate” from the local with any others who have successfully rooted in their communities and are not Over three years, the women gathered which means ‘little bridge’. Sakav forms the detail of the legislation themselves. communities before it does so. Along tackled similar issues. seen as outsiders. There is a real risk that photo evidence and made their case to links within and between communities, They then supported the communities in Maharashtra’s 720km of coastline, we were sending in a staff member of even a the local official, or ‘Collector’, to no avail. working with 112 villages, 180 hamlets and becoming organised, making them aware told, a multitude of industrial plants have volunteer, who might be perceived as Eventually, they decided to take more The process three dalit communities, from coast to of the legislation, demystifying the detail, been set up; but no permission has ever an ‘expert’, would upset the balance…” inland, hills, rivers, tributaries and forests. then working with them to build their case. dramatic action. “We decided to go direct been sought from fishing communities. The People’s Organisations have grown to the plant, but the Collector wasn’t there organically, but with an underlying I was struck by the sensitivity of this The team of 17 works with 12,000 families The communities started on a course of The government seemed determined not – we sensed that he knew we were coming. structure and strategy. “We divided the development support work – and the in all. Furthermore, Sakav acts as a non-aggressive action in 2004, gathering to make the process easy. “They needed So, we locked the industry representative in area into five zones, identified the issues absence of fixation on short-term goals catalyst – or bridge – between people photographic evidence and survey data. ID, then they needed physical evidence of his office to make him listen. We said we in each and developed a strategy for and outputs. Community development and government. After a number of years, the Collector the land – we took 450 photos”, the men wouldn’t leave until he’d got the Collector tackling these in each zone”, Arun explains. is a work of generations. The visit to Over the years since its inception, Sakav ruled that the fishermen did indeed have explained to us. “Then, they said they to come back and meet with us. He said he Asked how the work is supported, Arun Sakav underlined the fact that bringing has supported the development of nine cause for complaint and an expert needed GPS maps! So, we produced 550 needed to go to the toilet and we said ‘Just acknowledges that his staff are overworked about real and lasting change in People’s Organisations, working on issues committee was established, which in maps.” Of the 138 claim forms submitted go here, we don’t mind!’. Eventually the and underpaid, and that he worries for their marginalised communities is a long which affect them, and multiple Self-Help 2009 produced an extensive report from the village we visited, 125 were company reps and the Collector agreed to wellbeing. However, they receive some process of harnessing and building assets, Groups (savings and loan groups, usually investigating the fishermen’s claims. The successful. Sakav continues to work with meet with us the next day.” financial support from SwissAid and in-kind and working with people so they are of women). Sakav has worked with these report concluded that “the complainants the others on collecting all the necessary support from DST Pune, who helped train empowered to tackle injustices at communities to make them aware of their The agreement reached was that each because of such development activities supporting documents. the first SHGs and once a month send their their root. rights and assist them in the processes of company would contribute 15 lakhs really suffered and practically lost their Finance Officer to help with accounting organising and struggling to have their As they held up their laminated (1,500,000 rupees) towards the source of livelihood...” and set out a series To find out more about IACD’s 2012 and reporting. For the most part, Arun rights recognised, formally and practically. certificates, confirming their right to farm, rehabilitation of the 1300 acres of land of recommendations, including Practitioner Dialogue, go to www. notes, the Self-Help Groups and People’s At the same time, they have supported the men’s delight and excitement at the which the women had farmed. The rehabilitation for 1630 families. iacdglobal.org/practitioner-dialogue-2012 Organisations are self-sufficient. their development by introducing fresh beginning they represent were women, in their turn, agreed to contribute A year later, nothing had been done. sustainable mechanisms such as Self-Help palpable. They pointed out, too, that for 3 lakhs’ worth of labour. No machinery The communities therefore took their The Sakav team is truly grounded in the Groups and a model farm, which develops, the first time, land was registered in the was used in the rehabilitation process. case to the Maharashtra State Human communities with which it works – from tests and disseminates effective organic name of both men and women – another It took a further six years for the land to Rights Commission. An Order issued its origins and in its evolution. Staff are farming techniques. landmark change. become fully productive once again. by the Commission in February 2010 recruited from amongst the young

4 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 5 Women from the Maryhill SRG Self-Reliant Groups (SRGs) the long-term) rather than ‘owners’, offers an opportunity to the policymakers & Lessons for Community to be trusted and invited to realise their to explore more creative ways in which the Development in Scotland potential and their aspirations to create benefits system empowers individuals and their own solutions and at their own pace; communities – rather than trap them – and The SRGs in Scotland are very much at a solutions that are based on a creative through them, the wider economy. People developmental stage. There are currently combination of self-interest and common living in deprived areas and on long term seven, led by women at a pace set entirely interest; solutions that can sell as products benefits – often because of personal by them. One of them, Provanmill SRG in a marketplace. Investing in a model like circumstances – have a right to create (Glasgow), is well on its way to becoming an SRG offers an opportunity to link up their own jobs and an SRG-led collective the first SRG-led social microenterprise in market and other formal institutions with enterprise model offers that opportunity. Scotland. The path was laid out in informal ones to foster and sustain In order to enable people to achieve their February 2011 with the coming together of livelihood opportunities in favour of the economic potential using collective eight women and a saving of £1 that each poor, especially women– and through enterprise it is necessary to explore member contributed to the common fund them, their families and communities. how benefits could be matched to the at their weekly meetings. From this initial The SRG model provides an environment development of the collective enterprise pooling of resources and individual for people in poverty to count and to in its early stages and tapered off as the aspirations, the women began a take charge of change. The community enterprise became profitable to afford microenterprise – a lunch club for the development ‘professional’ takes a back the members a living wage. elderly folks in the community – gradually seat and is no longer a messiah; he or And finally, the SRG movement is a fine added an ironing and alterations service she is only a mentor. example of an asset-based approach Passage from India: and now have plans to launch a local in praxis and in motion. The SRG- laundrette business with the aim to Secondly, the role of women in a values- environment unlocks `individual assets’ provide a living wage to some of its based institutional building process is – both tangible and intangible – but members. The SRG has built and managed indispensable. A predominant number Re-imagining self-interest and common good importantly, it also creates and synergises this without any external money thus far of single households in the UK are based multiple assets in favour of the but eventually will apply for their first around the woman and income in the disadvantaged, who are both co-owners through Self-Reliant Groups (SRGs) in Scotland microloan (from PfI) to match their own hands of the woman is established as and members of the process of building working capital – accrued through savings. having impact on the issues of child Noel Mathias poverty and health gaps in the society.3 a local institution that has the potential From the initial (and limited) learning Women are also the new emerging to generate individual and social profit. around the SRGs, there are four pertinent markets with a visible increase in their role lessons. Firstly, there is growing demand as enterprising producers overturning the Conclusion “Paying attention to everyone else’s self-interest – in other words to the common for a new approach to socio-economic masculine hold on entrepreneurship. The role of microfinance in the life of the development – one that moves beyond an According to C. K. Prahlad: “A well- SHG movement in India (and elsewhere) welfare – is in fact a precondition for one’s own ultimate wellbeing… it isn’t just good overriding focus on economic growth to understood but poorly articulated reality is well documented and I have opted not building well-being through the combined for the soul; it’s good for business.” Joseph E. Stiglitz, The Price of Inequality of development is the role of women… to dwell on it within the scope of the effects of growth and empowerment.2 Although the evidence is overwhelming, narrative here. The focus deliberately has There has historically been a top-down, very little explicit attention has been paid been upon the capacity of those who live e are living in very difficult The Indian Experience of out sustainable income-generation needs-based approach. Arguably, many of to actively co-opting women in the efforts in deprived areas, especially the women, times in Europe. Some very activities. Started in the 1980s, the SHGs our community development projects the Self-Help Groups (SHGs): to build markets and lead the to become architects of change and hard questions are being have become a movement of socio- even in this age approach people as 4 W Seeing is Believing development process.” enterprise and how self-interest and asked of us and of our way of life that economic change and currently involve ‘needy recipients’ of our problem-solving Passage from India (PfI) is an initiative of common interest can go hand in hand. has left a vast majority of us, but an estimated 50 million women. strategies (and entirely dependent on Thirdly, in the face of pending reforms in the Church of Scotland’s Priority Areas especially the poorest, deeply The Indian experience of the women grant-funding which is not sustainable in the welfare system, the SRG movement SRGs are not meant to be a panacea Committee that has modelled its anti- susceptible to the seismic shifts in from Glasgow – spent in the company for getting people into employment or poverty work in Scotland on the principle the economy. It is right to conclude of women in the slums of Mumbai and self-employment but with the confidence, that poverty cannot be adequately that there is no going back to business rural villages of Gujarat – can be distilled The SRG model provides an environment for people in power and imagination that it helps spurs, addressed without involving those who as usual. There is an urgent need to in a single cataclysmic shift: from being members aspire to create a space for experience it in the development, delivery restructure the institutions that serve appalled with the sight of desperate poverty to count and to take charge of change. themselves on the economic ladder. and evaluation of any policy: ‘Nothing our society, democracy and economy poverty to complete awe and It is also not the only model for sending about us without us is for us’. PfI grew so that ‘one for all, all for one’ is overwhelmed with the determination, poverty to the museums in Scotland. What out of a 10-day immersion trip in January Members of the legitimised not by subsidies and resilience and self-belief of women it is, however, is a testimonial of trust in the 2011 through which 13 women from Pollokshaws SRG benefits but as a creed and a policy overcoming it through the collective marginalised aspirations and the ones who 7 of Scotland’s most deprived in favour of the most disadvantaged – institution of the SHG. As one of the hold them, the women: a primary requisite communities experienced at first hand people and communities – and their women noted: “The circumstances that to build any sustainable local community the transformative impact of SHGs in aspirations. they were living in you wouldn’t think it institution in the new economy. India on women and through them, For the purpose of this paper, we would have been possible, that they would their families and neighbourhoods. focus on an innovative local institution- have had the power inside them, the Noel Mathias works for the Church building experiment in Scotland that SHGs in India are formed around energy, but they were able to come of Scotland and is responsible for recasts self-interest and common microfinance – a tool of financial inclusion together, start saving and had done introducing the Self-Reliant Group welfare – one without the other is recognised and accepted globally as one wonderful things with it.”1 Differences in model to Scotland. really unsustainable – through a of the foremost development paradigms culture and context notwithstanding, the convergence of aspirations and skills; for alleviating poverty, with a particular transnational nature of gender-affinity 1. Sharpe, Gillian. Indian self help gives Glasgow food for has at its very heart a deep trust in focus on empowering women and found its echo in a historic decision the thought: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-19784459 those living on the margins of our increasing their participation in the women made before leaving the Indian 2. Stern N, Dethier J-J & Rogers H (2004). Growth and empowerment: making development happen. Cambridge, society and their potential to come socio-economic and political processes shores: If this can work in India, it can MA, MIT Press. within society. They are peer groups of up with solutions for themselves; and most definitely work in Scotland for 3. World Health Organisation (2008). Closing the Gap in a where women in deprived communities 15-20 members built around trust, us and other women. And so began Generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health. play a central role as resilient leaders solidarity and mutual support with an a cross-fertilization effort of translating and enterprising agents of socio- emphasis on savings in a common fund, an idea from a developing country: 4. Prahlad C.K. (2006), The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profit. New Jersey, economic change. access to affordable credit and carrying Scotland’s first Self-Reliant Groups (SRGs). Prentice Hall.

6 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 7 children and young people, and in outcomes; and an emerging interest in achieving economic gains, managing employability rather than poverty as such. asset-led approaches to community social housing, growing and distributing development entailing both the idea of healthy food cheaply; providing care and Community development In the third sector a significant number of encouraging communities to take support to the most vulnerable; creating organisations work locally and nationally, ownership or control of land, buildings, opportunities in arts and sports for young aiming to keep the issue of poverty on the services and organisations to work for people and many other things. policy agenda and to encourage a focus and poverty: reflections on community benefit, and the idea of seeing on working with people in poverty. The The challenge for community people and communities as having social Poverty Alliance (www.povertyalliance. development is to help government and human assets to build on, rather than org/) seeks to influence policies at all understand the nature and extent of this as problems to be dealt with. experience in Scotland levels that have an impact on poverty and network, encourage government to work can create the conditions for a more Prospects for the poorest communities, with this resource more creatively and socially just Scotland. They carry out this and for community development, are not freely, and to commit resources to the Stuart Hashagen work through a range of activities: encouraging. Austerity programmes in least developed neighbourhoods and campaigns, lobbying, networking, project response to long-term recession are communities to encourage this community work, awareness raising, and training, doubly disadvantaging the already most infrastructure to grow and become ever As the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence draws near, it is valuable working alongside people experiencing disadvantaged. Severe cuts in welfare more relevant to people’s lives. poverty to have their voices heard. benefit payments to disabled people, Stuart Hashagen is Senior Community to reflect on the factors which have influenced the role of community job-seekers and tenants of social housing Development Advisor at the Scottish mean that poor people are becoming development in tackling poverty. Community Development Centre (SCDC). poorer – both relatively and absolutely. Austerity programmes SCDC has been working for almost 20 Meanwhile the public services that are years to advocate community n the post-war years the economic unattractive and undesirable and action groups; and on engaging in response to long-term most required by those communities are development approaches, to promote base of urban Scotland moved rapidly neighbourhoods. So a model of anti- community representatives in decisions the most vulnerable to budget cuts and good practice, and to support away from the heavy engineering, poverty community development work on local development and service delivery. recession are doubly cost savings so their long-standing I community organisations. mining and steelmaking industries that emerged with a small area focus, and with These gains were undermined in the disadvantaging the concern to help alleviate some of the had been the mainstay of relative a particular concern for housing issues 1990s as a reorganisation of local impact of poverty on people’s lives is SCDC is currently engaged in work, prosperity for a century. and the active involvement of community government did away with the regional already most severely compromised. And – perhaps funded by the European Union’s workers drawn from a social work tradition At the same time, many of the established councils and their commitment to it is a triple disadvantage – resources to Grundtvig programme, to establish a that saw a clear role in prevention of social disadvantaged. neighbourhoods in inner-city areas were community work; with a retrenchment in support community development and network for community development and community breakdown, as much as in redeveloped – to make way for new, social work from a community approach to support deprived communities to with marginalised social groups. It also picking up the pieces. become more resilient and sustainable works directly with community high-rise estates or motorways. In either to a risk management, protectionist Themes emerging in more recent years are also reducing. organisations through the Achieving case this resulted in the displacement model; and the consequent reduction include significant work on community Community Empowerment (ACE) of established neighbourhoods and in the numbers of community workers engagement – seeking to encourage more Having acknowledged that, it is also project. More details on these, and the communities to peripheral housing in the most challenging communities. productive relationships between important to understand that in many In the third sector a other work of SCDC can be found at estates, new towns, or the redeveloped By this time, however, a significant communities and government; an ever- poorer communities there are active and www.scdc.org.uk. inner city high rise estates. significant number of network of community organisations stronger concern with the relationship innovative organisations run and managed had built up across urban Scotland and These changes had a profound impact between poverty, inequality and health by community members that are organisations work locally these organisations were often able to – both on levels of poverty, and on the continue to lead local development and ability of communities to protect, support and nationally, to keep maintain a voice in policy. and nurture families and children. There was a rapid increase in welfare-dependent the issue of poverty on With the establishment of a devolved poverty and a disintegration of the policy agenda and Scottish parliament in 1999 and the Community is the Answer community, as people struggled to creation of a Ministerial post for Social establish family life in alien places with to encourage a focus Justice (subsequently Communities) a few facilities, high transport costs and on working with people recognition of the problems of small Celebrating our common wealth: few employment opportunities. Much excluded neighbourhoods (and groups attention at the time was given to knife in poverty. such as care leavers, learning disabled an international gathering crime, youth disorder and family people and others) resurfaced and 48 breakdown as recognised consequences social inclusion partnerships were June 2014, Glasgow, Scotland, UK of these economic and social changes. established, mainly on a small area model, This model gained greater currency with the general aim of addressing issues By the mid-1960s a number of small and throughout the 1980s as Strathclyde of poverty and exclusion in communities This major event will explore some community members, activists, practitioners, researchers disparate community projects were Regional Council (then the largest local through supported dialogue between and policymakers to come together and examine what emerging, often attached to church or authority in Europe) and others adopted a of the most significant local and community representatives and service actually matters to people, how to measure it and how to voluntary organisations, and some of strategic approach to tackling deprivation agencies, implementing the actions global questions we face today in the place it at the core of what we do. these survive to this day. But government and disadvantage, deploying a substantial agreed through this dialogue. The small and local government were starting to workforce and continuing to focus on context of the answer: community. Taking place in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games in area focus was largely lost with the take a more active interest in deprivation those areas with the greatest levels of How will we address: Glasgow, Community is the Answer is expected to attract introduction of community planning after and poverty, and what might be done to disadvantage, including targeted work The challenges of poverty? several hundred Scottish and international participants. 2003, although local authorities and their alleviate them. with women, ethnic minorities and Of growing inequality? The gathering is a collaboration organised by the partners were expected to concentrate disabled people. Of the environmental crisis? International Association for Community Development By the 1970s a series of pilot and action- particular effort and resources on the Of the failure of our institutions? (IACD), the University of Glasgow and the Standards research projects were in place in While it was acknowledged that there ‘worst’ 15% of census districts in Scotland. Council for Community Learning and Development for neighbourhoods in Paisley, Greenock and was little local government could do to Following the election of a Scottish Community is the Answer will showcase community-based Scotland. Motherwell. At this time, local government address the root causes of poverty, much National Party (SNP) administration in solutions from Scotland and around the world. It will allow directly managed around 70% of all work was done on welfare rights and 2007, a concordat between government housing in Scotland. Housing allocation income maintenance: on community and local government was established and policies were seen as a particular reason enterprise and employability; on adopted a ‘national performance Check www.iacdglobal.org for updates or sign up for our ebulletin. for poverty and disadvantage to be encouraging community control over framework’ which sets out to address Full IACD members are eligible for discounted conference fees. concentrated in relatively small, but community initiatives; on campaigning inequalities in health, life chances for

8 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 9 Poverty and Exclusion – Overlapping Concepts based approach… recognising community strengths and not focusing on deficits. Tackling poverty The work of IACD and others has given a much higher profile to the capacities, gifts Material Lack of needs solidarity and potential of poor neighbourhoods of people living in poverty to resolve issues in Scotland: a local view Inability to with support from public sector agencies. Poverty participate Exclusion This means addressing the structural Stewart Murdoch in society barriers and injustices which prevent Economic Social people from prospering, while recognising circumstances rejection the wealth of skills, experience, traditions, culture and other assets that are present in all communities. Dundee Anti-Poverty Strategy December 1999 The commitment to empowering local communities is central to strong traditions saw those who depended on the welfare vibrant city which has undergone of community development in Dundee. system as “scroungers” or living in a remarkable transformation. We have seen The crucial role of the community and “dependency culture”. Our view was that the growth of our cultural facilities, voluntary sectors is reflected in Dundee’s people who lacked rights and power innovation in the development of Local Community Plans. For service and who experienced poverty became bioscience and digital media and the providers, a greater awareness of progressively excluded from society and reinvigoration of the city centre. At the approaches like asset-based community that that exclusion made it more difficult same time, levels of poverty and development means providing support for them to contribute fully and to live deprivation continue to make life a daily that doesn’t undermine the way in which an ordinary life. struggle for individuals, families and for those who are being helped can first of neighbourhoods where too many people There are many examples where people all help themselves. It is a mind shift that have lower life expectancy, a higher have become excluded, not as a result of we all still have to work on. exposure to crime, high levels of economic poverty, but of social Asset-based approaches are about the Dundee – a city of contrasts unemployment and lower educational circumstances. Those with AIDS, people non-financial value of personal and attainment, and where children are born who have served a term in prison, people community strength and what it means into circumstances of multiple deprivation. here are many others better able to During this period a huge array of Everything was supposed to change with with learning disabilities or psychiatric to make a contribution. They recognise A local authority can only do so much to produce an academic analysis of excellent projects developed, many the election of a Labour Government in illnesses and travelling people were all at risk the importance of family, friends and change the economic circumstances of its the successes and failures of the which were community-led, and most 1997. For the first time, there was a UK of social exclusion, but were not necessarily neighbours, of feeling valued, of T at risk of material or economic poverty. citizens. Strathclyde attempted to do this opportunities to give and to influence the government initiatives to tackle poverty had strong community development government which made very clear on an ambitious scale. Today, unitary way in which public services are designed in Scotland. My direct experience dates values and approaches within their DNA. statements about its intention to “end Dundee’s Anti Poverty Strategy looked authorities have much smaller boundaries and delivered. They are based on treating from the mid 1970s when I moved from Where Strathclyde led, other Regional child poverty in a generation”. The same at the relationship between these and their capacity to redistribute income people with respect regardless of their Fife to Glasgow to study youth and Councils followed. government produced an ambitious social overlapping concepts and produced and to target services is far more limited. economic and social circumstances. community work. The local authority, exclusion strategy which, in Scotland, was an action plan which set out to address When Strathclyde published its strategy Strathclyde Regional Council, had rebranded “social inclusion strategy”. poverty in the City. The Dundee Fairness Strategy is based Assets approaches will not, of themselves, for the 1990s, its analysis and literature committed itself to an ambitious on ensuring that every person and family reduce poverty or solve inequality within had moved from heady aspirations to Rather against the trend, Dundee City The Dundee Anti Poverty Forum played programme to “tackle the problems in the city has: and between communities. They can, a much more managerialist approach. Council, where I worked at that time, a key role in monitoring the impact of of multiple deprivation”. • a fair household income; however, help communities to develop The basis principles remained unaltered, decided not to produce a social inclusion poverty. Their report ‘No Room for greater confidence and a stronger voice In the 1980s, Strathclyde faced the twin but there was a clear shift towards strategy, but an anti-poverty strategy. Dreams’ was the result of participant-led • someone to turn to; in engaging with the structural causes problem of a recession and increasing “making best use of existing resources It held that poverty referred to material research. It gave people living the city who • hope for the future. of poverty, exclusion and inequality. unemployment, with the rapid erosion in to tackle the problem” through setting deprivation, economic circumstances and experienced poverty the opportunity to We’ve simplified our understanding of the ability of local authorities to continue up area management structures, better social relationships, and that, while there have their voice heard. Sharing the feelings We will be judged against the extent to poverty and inequality. “Poverty is about to provide the same level of service. At the communication, better targeting, were many disputes about what it was of people in poverty, it was argued, would which we use the resources that are at not having enough” – and the impact this time, it was seen as a shocking statistic further research, etc. and who was or was not poor, there was assist everyone in developing a deeper our disposal to make Dundee a fairer city. has on all aspects of the lives of those that 25% of the population of Strathclyde, agreement that it was a moral concept understanding of the issues. What we can’t be judged against is the who experience it, how they are treated which was then the largest local authority With the benefit of hindsight, there might that, at its heart, reflected an unjust way in which wider society views poverty; The summary of key findings highlighted and how they feel about themselves. in Western Europe, were dependent on also have been a recognition that, despite inequality. but we should all contribute robustly to state benefits. This all has a horribly the very real efforts made by Strathclyde that increasingly people were experiencing All of the statistical data and trends analysis a public debate and advocate for greater familiar ring in 2012. to tackle deprivation, it was proving In terms of economic poverty, we poverty for the first time. Factors such as suggest that the position of cities like equity in the way in which resources are intractable. The same neighbourhoods, identified that people became victims as dismissal from employment, redundancy, Dundee and Glasgow remain broadly the distributed. Strathclyde used census data to analyse the same families and the same clusters a result of sudden changes in their lives retirement, divorce, pregnancy, illness and same as they were 40 years ago, relative which areas had the greatest clusters of Stewart Murdoch is Director, Leisure and were showing up as “trapped” within – the victims of flood or a natural disaster, disability were taking people into poverty. to the population of Scotland as a whole. Communities, Dundee City Council and factors contributing to deprivation, and a cycle which would not easily be broken the victims of economic shock, such as So where are we today? From a local authority perspective our an IACD Board Member. The views to target its resources into those areas. at a neighbourhood level. unemployment, disability or bereavement. only response is to ensure that the way expressed in this article are his own and There was a clear recognition that early In relative terms, those whose income was We’ve moved from social strategy, beyond in which we deliver services and target not necessarily those of his current and intervention mattered – priorities included A further change was recognition that significantly below that of the people social inclusion policies to “fairness”. Our resources is fully conscious of these former employers. provision for pre-fives; young people, not all those who experienced poverty around them became cut off from full language is around challenging poverty particularly related to employment lived in those geographies which were and promoting inclusion through a inequalities and that our actions work participation in society. We took as our towards achieving fairness. Significantly, initiatives; continuing education; support identified as having multiple indicators of benchmark the European measure, which Fairness Strategy (www.dundeecity.gov. for single parents; and wider services we’ve moved from “treating the symptoms deprivation. Greater attention was given is 50% of the median income (the median uk/reports/reports/249-2012.pdf). Sources for those who were affected by to “client groups” (regardless of where of multiple deprivation” towards working Strathclyde Regional Council, Multiple Deprivation, 1976 being the middle point of the income The underlying issues are not Strathclyde Regional Council, Social Strategy for the Eighties, 1983 unemployment who faced real financial people lived) who faced or who were at with communities to address the issues distribution). Those below that level were fundamentally different from the ones Strathclyde Regional Council, The Social Strategy for the Nineties, 1993 and food poverty, particularly the elderly risk of deprivation, disadvantage and which they identify as having the greatest Dundee City Council, Anti-Poverty Strategy, 1999 at risk of economic exclusion. which Strathclyde faced in 1972. significance for their quality of life. Dundee Anti Poverty Forum with Paul Spicker, No Room for Dreams, and the disabled. Cross-cutting discrimination – for example carers, Poverty in Dundee, An Account of Peoples Views and Experiences, programmes relating to health and the disabled people, minority ethnic groups, In terms of social relationships, we wanted Cities like Glasgow and Dundee present In developing our action plan the Dundee 2004 Dundee City Council, Fairness Strategy and Action Plan for Dundee, environment also featured in this work. gay men and lesbians, lone parents. to challenge the media stereotype which two faces the world. One is of a modern, Partnership have embraced an asset- 2012

10 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 11 tontines, for example – which are often high risk, undemocratic and insecure. Abdoulaye Fall, Patricia Pulido and David Schurjin: Asset building in Europe: The SFC methodology provides a savings revolutionaries framework for the development and management of savings groups, based on democratic, transparent structures a community approach and good governance. Discussions about poverty levels tend to focus uniquely on income. Income is of “During the week I clean course important – but it is not the only indicator of poverty and inequality. houses, at the weekend esearch conducted in Europe over of-poverty rate within the EU27 is 16%, Innovative approaches to I’m director of a bank’” recent years shows that financial those unable to deal with unforeseen asset building in Europe Rassets are far more unevenly expenses is more than twice as high at distributed than income, and that this 34%. This indicates that a significant Over a number of years, the Levi Strauss The ACAF team are in no doubt that the has a significant impact on the ability of proportion of European households with Foundation has funded a number of model works, in terms of giving some individuals and families to break cycles income above the poverty threshold still innovative projects in Europe, aimed at financial security to people who are often of poverty. do not have any savings. bringing about a cultural and political on the margins. Many, but certainly not shift around saving. For the last two all, are migrants – one group member What do we mean by Why do savings matter? years, IACD has co-ordinated the recently described the SFC as “the network of projects, facilitating ‘poverty’? Without savings, people are much more economical family we don’t have now”. opportunities for social innovators to vulnerable to unexpected life events – The Runnymede Trust estimates that meet, connect and share experiences. The use of the word ‘family’ is significant. illness, the loss of employment, the between 10% and 20% of people in the UK According to ACAF, members repeatedly break-up of a relationship, for example. While improving the financial stability have no financial assets at all, whereas the report that, for them, the social networks Without assets, low-income people often and material circumstances of individuals highest earning 10% of the population own they develop are more important even It’s better to have 50 groups that work collaborate to see why things don’t find themselves turning to quick and and families may be the goal, the actual half of all assets. The Office for National than the financial benefits of being part than 1,000 that don’t work”, says work and to find a solution. Any decision expensive forms of credit, inadvertently impact can be far, far more. Where it is Statistics notes that, in 2003, the wealthiest of a SFC. “Money is a hook”, explains Abdoulaye. to revise the technology – the innovation digging themselves into a deeper hole. based on principles of community 1% of the population owned around a fifth Abdoulaye Fall of ACAF, “but what is comes from the groups.” development, the process of building David Schurjin, another member of the of the UK’s marketable wealth; whereas Savings not only form a cushion and really important is the community that financial assets has a wide-ranging and ACAF team, points out that the best way ACAF is now at a turning point. As the half the population shared only 7% of total allow people to cover unexpected living is built.” Membership of a group also lasting effect. This is illustrated of getting started is… to start! “SFCs are model’s success has grown, the team wealth. Runnymede points out that asset expenses, they also enable people to gives a positive sense of identity. particularly well by the model of self- about doing, not reflecting – it can be is struggling to support demand, though poverty disproportionately affects certain make choices which will improve their “A Uruguayan woman living in Barcelona financing communities. difficult to believe something you haven’t their focus has shifted from working communities (e.g. minority ethnic groups). lives – to retrain, for example, change recently said to me ‘During the week seen. There is an inertia that creeps in directly with users to working with This asset inequality has severe and jobs or start a new venture. I clean houses, at the weekend I’m and makes us look for help before ‘initiators’. The team are passionate wide-ranging consequences for social Case study: Self-funded director of a bank’”, Abdoulaye adds. mobility. Indeed, research indicates that assets communities starting new ventures… We advise about communicating the methodology have significant positive economic and start-ups not to overthink… once you far more widely, so that more low- The economic crisis has brought home social effects on individuals, families, and Asociación Comunidades Autofinanciadas start and have something to show, build income people can participate. Moreover, the dangers of over-reliance on credit to entire communities – they are associated (ACAF) was founded in Barcelona, Spain a network. You see the advantages of they want to make the most of the fuel consumption. People and with greater household stability, higher by Jean Claude Rodriguez-Ferrera the methodology after a few months energy and experiences being generated institutions in Europe are beginning to educational attainment, local civic Massons (whose impressive list of of working.” by the groups, who are now springing change their behaviour. But we are still involvement and increased levels of achievements includes recognition by up all over the world as people relocate. The enthusiasm of the ACAF team not at the point of having developed – health and satisfaction among adults. Ashoka as Social Entrepreneur of 2006 comes from firsthand experience: every Part of their solution is the development or, perhaps, ‘rediscovered’ – the culture Having financial assets reduces the and Globalizer Social Enterpreneur of single staff and Board member is part of a new digital platform, Winkomun. of saving which came naturally to likelihood of poverty being passed on – 2010). Jean Claude based his model of of a self-financing community. And it is This will give free access to the previous generations. While the at-risk- from generation to generation. ‘communidades autofinanciadas’ – or self-funded communities – on infectious. Four years ago, the first methodology – everything people need methodology first developed in Venezuela. self-financing communities were set up to communicate, promote, create and amongst low-income Roma groups in manage a self-funded community. Self-funded communities (SFCs) are rural Hungary. This project has been It will include a networking platform – groups of low-income people, usually supported by the Levi Strauss ‘Winkomuniti’ – enabling group members between 10 and 30 in number, who buy Foundation, but the model has also around the world to connect and create shares to create a credit fund, from attracted keen volunteer advocates who their own live learning content. which they finance themselves. There is are now introducing SFCs in countries “We are part of a worldwide savings no external money, and only members including Indonesia and Italy. can invest in the group. As owners, they A Senegalese SFC revolution”, says Patricia Pulido, one decide the credit conditions and receive meets in Barcelona After the initial training, ACAF offers of the ACAF team currently working all the benefits. It is completely self- ongoing support where necessary, but in Turin, Italy to establish SFCs. “The Over its eight years, ACAF has identified managed and self-financed. Since the team recognise that the best post-Yunus paradigm is that the key the factors most likely to help a group ACAF’s foundation in 2004, almost 90 approach is a facilitative one: “Nobody to getting out of poverty isn’t just succeed. Firstly, the group members groups have been established in Spain, knows the reality more than the group credit”, David adds. The team hopes have to drive its development. “We don’t Hungary, Portugal and the Netherlands. members – it’s about guiding them that building a global community will ever try to force a group to come through the decision process but not help to build self-funded communities The premise is that poor people can and together. Often, people may have a loose making the decision for them”, says locally – on a scale not seen before. do save – but often they do this below association with each other but they David. ACAF also believes in giving For more information about ACAF, the radar, as many have trouble have no formal structure for meeting and groups opportunities to solve problems go to http://comunidadescaf.org. accessing mainstream financial services. networking – the SFC provides this. We together. The SFCs meet twice a year, in A regular meeting of a ACAF estimates that many millions of give information and make a a large ‘congress’, where common Self-Funded Community people in Europe engage in group presentation if we’re invited, but we challenges are identified and solutions savings activities – informal lotteries or don’t try to ‘push’ the model on anyone. discussed. “People are eager to

12 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 13 March against the Belo Monte expense of Brazilian exports. From the Dam construction. Photo left, Lula’s programmes were considered courtesy of Verena Glass, tokenistic, focusing on immediate Xingu Vivo para Sempre material solutions rather than tackling the underlying structural causes of poverty. Implementing these programmes also required Lula and the PT to make considerable concessions in Congress in order to guarantee the necessary supporting legislation. At local level, elected councillors felt undermined by the creation of so many community councils and committees designed to engage local residents in the decisions around public policies. Councillors were elected on the basis of a manifesto, Political Party affiliation and in an electoral process which required financial investment and an intense A Quilombola mother signing degree of activity to convince the document to retain her land rights electorate of their worthiness to serve the public. In the new participatory The main project is Belo Monte, a upon Popular Movements in Brazil with process, local community members were hydroelectric dam network, which aims to co-opting processes in force both from chosen through district assemblies and become the third largest energy producer right and left wing groups. community fora to participate together in the world. The project has met with with the elected politicians, in a wide However in the midst of this confusing Brazil and the struggle strong resistance from indigenous range of councils and committees which but challenging context a rich variety groups, NGOs, the MST, CUT, other left addressed public policies. At the same of organisations has emerged seen most wing Parties, Church groups and a wide time many Popular Movements notably in the World Social Forum, the range of local community groups. against poverty considered the participatory budget to first of which was held in Brazil and since Ted Scanlon be flawed as much of the local budget Both Lula’s and now Dilma’s projects and then has counted on active participation was ring-fenced by law to fund different programmes focused on improving the from many Brazilian organisations and aspects of local Council expenses – e.g. living conditions of the poor. They also Popular Movements. The Forum gives civil servants’ salaries; fixed percentages provoked a process of rethinking the global visibility to the tensions, struggles, razil, like many Majority World taking children off the streets and and Lula’s government was the creation for education and health – leaving little role of Popular Movements and popular conflicts and contradictions which countries, has produced encouraging them into school. In Lula’s of the Ministry of “Economia Solidaria” upon which the public could decide. education in Brazil. During the years of characterise world transformation in favour of the majority. Bnumerous strategies in the second government the Accelerated (Economy of Solidarity). PT militants, Renowned for its policy to “Occupy, military dictatorship the State was the Growth Programme “Programa de NGOs Trade Unions, small farmers and struggle against poverty. With the Resist, Produce”, the Landless Movement main target of popular struggles. Now, Many lessons can be learned from Aceleracao de Crecsimento,” reorganised local community organisations already defeat of the military dictatorship (MST) had supported PT’s policies and however, the State is no longer seen as Brazil’s struggle against poverty among and coordinated public policies for supported a wide range of initiatives at in the 1980s Popular Movements’ Lula’s bid for the presidency. However a monolithic entity. Since it can include which the need for a coordinated housing, sanitation, transport, energy cooperative and community level which demands became more visible. Popular the struggle for Land Reform did not many Popular Movement leaders within strategy between left wing Political and natural resources. sought to generate income for the poor. Movement leaders became local make the progress hoped for and its ranks, it can also contribute to Parties and Popular Movements since councillors and MPs thus more openly The Economy of Solidarity was built improving some of the basic living At local authority level, with PT militants continues today as MST’s top priority. all propose to intervene in society to involved as active participants of left around these and challenged the conditions of a huge number of people. becoming councillors, a new form The National Brazilian Association of change it; the need to consider the wing Political Parties, the majority of capitalist mode of production and Due to the participation of Popular of participatory government was NGOs (ABONG) which had also respective roles of “representative” whom identified with the Partido Dos consumption by proposing an economy Movement leaders it has also stimulated introduced. One of its pillars was the supported Lula for the presidency did democracy and “direct” democracy and Trabalhadores (PT), the Workers Party. in which the sustainability and well being a challenging debate around the role participatory budget; support not receive the support it had expected their relationship with civil society or of all citizens, particularly the most of government, Popular Movements, Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva (Lula), a former mechanisms were put in place so that for the sustainability of civil society the Third Sector; how to govern from disadvantaged, was guaranteed. Political Parties and the meaning of trade union leader, and founder of PT, communities and groups as well as organisations. The major Trade Union a socialist perspective in a capitalist citizenship in general. was elected to the Presidency of Brazil individual citizens could have their say All of these initiatives were preceded Organisation (CUT), of which Lula had world, and perhaps above all an urgent been a founder, also felt that workers in 2002, on his fourth attempt, and the on how Council money should be spent. by ample discussion in conferences, “Authentic” as opposed to “co-opted” need for popular educators to engage rights were insufficiently protected by struggle against poverty gained an seminars and workshops up and down or “submissive” Popular Movements, in these processes and reinvent popular One of the key projects implemented his government as many victories of past important ally. Lula declared that the the country. From these events emerged forged through twenty years of struggle, education in practice. during Lula’s presidency was recognition workers’ movements were eroded at priority for his government would be proposals for short-life work groups, against a military dictatorship, not only of the Quilombolas, communities Congress level through concessions Ted Scanlon lived in the Amazon region the struggle against hunger and participatory councils, committees and engaged in localised struggles for better descendent from slaves. A similar project made by Lula and the PT to guarantee of Brazil from 1979 until 2004 and launched “Fome Zero” (Zero Tolerance fora that would guarantee the possibility living conditions, but promoted a recognised the rights of indigenous governability. worked in three different popular for Hunger). This programme constituted of participation in local and federal process of “conscientization.” This peoples, Indios. Both of these social education NGOs, taking an active part a National Programme of Food government to anyone interested in continues to date albeit acquiring a groups survived through agriculture, In 2010 the PT managed to secure the in many popular movements in the Sovereignty aiming to eliminate hunger having their say on issues such as much broader agenda and incorporating hunting and fishing and consequently presidency with the election of Dilma struggles for democracy during the in Brazil, while promoting a broad range health, education, environment and new themes. Popular education now depended on the forest to sustain their Rousseff, one of Lula’s key ministers military dictatorship years. Ted now of public policies in favour of the poor other public policies. requires an understanding of the role way of life. This required reclaiming large during his mandate. Dilma has taken on works in housing and is in his final year and destitute. of the State in promoting social change stretches of land from hostile However these policies and programmes key strategic projects, one of which is of a PhD at Glasgow University – a case as well as how it is influenced by the Lula and PT also launched “Bolsa landowners, loggers and mineral were not without opposition, from right the production of energy utilising study of the village of Renton, West agendas of different Political Parties Familia” (Family Purse), which gave companies who ruthlessly exploited and left wing Parties and groups. Lula’s aquatic resources abundantly available in Dunbartonshire from a popular and international institutions such as money to families living on the minimum the soil, the forest and rivers, mainly programmes were criticised by the right the Amazon. On the one hand this will education perspective. the International Monetary Fund (IMF), salary in exchange for their commitment in the Amazon region. for not reaching out to everyone, bring electricity to the homes of many to send their children to school. The prioritising the poorest, abandoning the poor people; on the other it has a World Bank (WB) and the World Trade aim was to put food on the table and Perhaps the most institutionalised form middle class, while concentrating on strategic aim of supporting agribusiness Organisation (WTO). In this new context, eliminate child labour at the same time, of intervention to tackle poverty by PT internal market consumption at the and transnational interests in the region. demands from all sides are being made

14 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 15 plus the democratic experience the co-operative provides, increases key areas Community-based strategies Celebrating co-operatives: of citizenship development for youth. Being in the co-operative also provides for alleviating poverty: important access to finance for youth a global movement to build a to grow their businesses. It can increase the Canadian perspective on incomes through selling and creating products collectively and through co-operatives Keith Cossey boosting their knowledge of how better world to run and improve their business. arly interest in co-operatives Canada’s 9,000 co-operatives and credit Although increases in income are as a poverty reduction strategy unions can be found in virtually every “Through their distinctive focus on values, co-operatives have proven themselves a generally low they enable the Eemerged from England in the early sector of the economy and touch the purchase of basic necessities. 1800s from industrialist and social lives of millions of Canadians. No matter resilient and viable business model that can prosper even during difficult times. This reformer Robert Owen’s “Report on the where you live in Canada, you’re likely to Whilst the impact of co-operatives Poor”. Responding to the atrocious find co-operatives. You can be born with success has helped prevent many families and communities from sliding into poverty.” for the social, economic and personal working and living conditions of the the help of a health care co-op and development of youth is clear from this time he advocated the establishment buried by a funeral co-op. In between, (UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon) research, it also recognised that co- of co-operative communities for the you can work in a worker co-op, live in operatives do not operate in a vacuum poor to provide opportunities for their a housing co-op, eat food produced by and are influenced by a number of self-rehabilitation. agricultural co-ops and buy that food at Building youth issues at a local and national level which a retail co-op. You can send your children can affect their success and impact. The development of Canadian to a day care co-op, do all your banking livelihoods The co-operative is influenced by co-operatives was informed and inspired at a credit union and purchase your broader social factors, for example, by two parallel movements: the UK insurance from an insurance co-op. attitudes towards women. For the co-operative movement, led by the through co-operative to provide benefits to Owen-inspired Rochdale Society of its members it needs to be financially Equitable Pioneers in 1844, and American All in all, Canadian co-ops co-operation successful. This depends on members’ farmers movements such as the Grange, skills and experience as well as market which emerged in 1867 after the American account for 150,000 Sally Hartley demand, which is connected to the Civil War. For more than 150 years, country’s economic situation. co-operatives have played a major role in employees and $330 the life of Canadians and their communities. he UN’s nomination of 2012 Furthermore the support provided billion in assets. Many co-ops were initially set up to avoid as the Year of the Co-operative by the co-operative networks, which exploitive “middlemen” and moneylenders signals an increased interest in includes support organisations for T co-operatives at a regional and national and to assist workers and farmers to and revival of co-operatives. Core to There are: become masters of their own destiny. the revival in developing countries is level, is crucial in providing training, motivation and at times access • 2,200 housing co-operatives which are the potential of co-operatives for enabling Canada’s first co-operatives were mutual to finance. home to about 250,000 individuals people to tackle poverty; as the Director- insurance companies, established by General of the UN Food and Agriculture In fact, many youth reported that farmers in what is now Quebec and • 1,300 agricultural co-ops Organisation stated, “Co-operatives and they did not think of establishing a Ontario as early as the 1830s. From the • 650 retail co-ops producer organisations will be increasingly As part of the revival in Lesotho and co-operative, seeing it as more relevant 1860s onwards, large numbers of farming- important in efforts to eliminate Being in the Uganda, efforts have been made to engage to their parents, until they learnt more based co-operatives were developed, for • 900 credit unions and caisses hunger and reduce poverty” (2012). youth with co-operatives in schools and from local co-operative officers or the processing and sale of goods such as populaires with close to 11 million co-operative provides communities. As a result youth have from seeing their peers joining and cheese, grain, fruit and livestock. At the members Co-operatives are diverse, operating formed co-operatives doing business in in a number of sectors, ranging in size and important access to benefitting from co-operatives. same time, workers and farmers came • 450 co-ops offering childcare or early farming, tourism and savings and credit. together in Canada’s cities, towns and operating with different structures – owned Finally the research showed consistently childhood education finance for youth to grow villages to form co-operative stores as an by workers, by service users and by that co-operatives must operate as In my research, youth reported that alternative to “company stores” and other • 600 worker (employee-owned) co-ops consumers. Despite the diversity, there are values-based structures to ensure the their businesses. co-operative membership provides a privately-owned retail outlets. with a total membership of over 13,000 principles of member ownership and social and economic impact on their control, as well as the co-operative values number of opportunities for them to • 100 healthcare co-ops Co-operatives have a long history in Africa members; this requires a change to In 1900, Canada’s first financial of self-responsibility, self-help, democracy, change aspects of their lives that they from the start of the 20th century when legislation and mindsets, particularly co-operative was born, when Alphonse All in all, Canadian co-ops account for equity and equality, that unite them. On the value. They see themselves as becoming they were typically located in the farming at a national level, to create the freedom Desjardins established his first caisse 150,000 employees and $330 billion in other hand, co-operatives have a mixed better informed, more experienced and sector. Farmers came together to buy for independent and true co-operatives populaire in Lévis, Quebec, laying the assets. What is more, 35% of the world’s history globally and do not always operate better able to manage their lives as they inputs, such as fertilisers, and to sell to develop. foundation for the credit union movement maple syrup is produced by according to the principles and values, and have the finance, the know-how and produce. As a group, members were able across North America. While some co-operatives in Quebec! as a result questions have been raised motivation to develop themselves. They More information about this research to negotiate better prices. Over time co-operatives folded during the Great about the potential of co-operatives to also gain the skills and opportunities to and co-operatives can be accessed Saskatchewan boasts many new and co-operatives have expanded beyond Depression of the early 1930s, the impact on economic and social development. develop relationships with other youth through www.co-op.ac.uk. innovative co-operatives including agriculture. They have experienced periods and the wider community. This movement itself grew by leaps and This has spurred growth in research on the Sally Hartley is based at the Aboriginal and youth-based co- of success and failure. They have been enhances their networks, provides them bounds. In Atlantic Canada, study groups role of co-operatives for development. Development Policy Practice operatives. It hosts a variety of co- criticised for failing to bring economic with further possibilities for work and of poor farmers, fishermen and miners at department, Open University, UK. operative childcare centres, offering My own recent research focused on benefits to all of their members, particularly community collaborations, and provides St. Francis Xavier University were Her interest is in finding ways to working families affordable alternatives co-operatives in Lesotho and Uganda – women, and of being at risk of capture by secure, trust-based relationships that responsible for the creation of credit bridge academic research and to childcare, e.g. Casper’s Early Learning particularly on their role for the growing elites. More recently the number of they can call on when they need unions, worker co-ops, housing practice – producing applied and Co-operative Centre in Carrot River and youth populations. It found that as well co-operatives has again grown, particularly financial or emotional support. They co-operatives, and co-operative stores: useful research in innovative ways Children’s Choice Child Development as increasing the incomes of youth, in the area of farming and also savings and also report becoming more interested an initiative that became known as the that practitioners want to use. Co-operative in Prince Albert. co-operatives had multiple effects credit. Co-operatives are being promoted and engaged with the community; Antigonish Movement. The Canadian on different areas of a youth’s life – by national governments and adopted by developing a sense of concern for the co-operative movement continued to Aboriginal-based co-operatives have including enhanced personal and social community members as a way to tackle community; and taking up leadership expand and diversify after the Second a role in community revitalization and development, and community participation. unemployment and poverty. positions. This community engagement, World War. economic development, addressing high

16 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 17 ommunity organising has provided An Arctic co-operative an important development model Cfor over 50 years. From its early years in Chicago it has spread across North America. Initially this was through Community the Industrial Areas Foundation created by Saul Alinsky. However, a range of variations on the original model quickly organising: developed, the most famous of these being ACORN (Association of Community Organisations for Reform Now) founded by Wade Rathke. Variations on community the Chicago organising are now found in India, South Africa, Australia and the UK, where it has influenced policy discussions around the experience idea of the Big Society and is leading to the recruitment of 5000 new ‘community organisers’. Rod Purcell The fundamental idea behind community organising is that disadvantaged people can only effectively change their circumstances by obtaining more power over their individual lives and their communities. To do this they need to build large, powerful organisations that can and will challenge existing sources of power (corporations, city councils, the state). In Rules for Radicals Alinsky wrote that the goal is to build power organisations “to realize the democratic dream of equality, justice, peace.... Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees”. With statements such as these and a of private sector companies. A 2008 history of radical campaigning, it comes Canadians continue to use the co-op model in study in Quebec found that 62% of new as no surprise that community organising co-ops are still operating after 10 years, is seen by right-wing politicians as a innovative ways to address a wide range of needs compared with 44% for other traditional neo-communist conspiracy, and anyone and challenges. businesses. associated with it a virtual hate figure. As the 2012 International Year of Community organising must therefore Co-operatives comes to a close, be doing something right. unemployment, high youth incarceration As part of Nova Scotia’s Poverty co-operatives are considered an integral With a long history, an increasing number Back of the Yards annual street and substance abuse, as well as Reduction Strategy, Target 100 is an part of Canada’s social economy, since of variations of the model, international fiesta. Photo courtesy of BYNC environmental degradation. Co-ops are exciting new initiative developed by the they are democratically controlled diversity and sometimes government promoting cultural and environmental Nova Scotia Co-operative Council in enterprises designed to meet the social support, community organising is now a community to fight for improvements sustainability through eco-tourism and partnership with the Provincial and economic needs of their members. multifaceted approach. To try and get a in its terrible living conditions. To do this using customary practices to maintain Department of Community Services. The They are a proven tool for mutual self- sense of where community organising is he needed to build alliances with the the land ethic, reclaim history, and program is designed to recruit, train and help, allowing people to work together “to realize the democratic going and its possible contribution to Catholic Church – the main form of promote biodiversity, environmental hire 100 people who are living in poverty towards common goals. This in turn broader community development, organisation in the neighbourhood. management standards, healthy or falling into poverty. Jobs will be offered helps build social cohesion by promoting dream of equality, I recently visited Chicago – the city Alinsky was also able to bring on board lifestyles, and sustainable food sources. in co-operatives and credit unions over inclusion, trust and equity among citizens. where it all started. the diverse ethnic groups in the area and The First Nation communities involved 5 years. Target 100 will demonstrate the justice, peace.... Better In their one-hundred-year history in a range of schools and social clubs, to with these initiatives build human values inherent in the co-operative sector Canada, co-operatives have helped to die on your feet than create a broad-based local coalition capacity through regaining traditional – self-help, equality, honesty, fairness, Back of the Yards thousands of disadvantaged people and committed to social change. knowledge and reconnecting social responsibility and caring for others. Neighbourhood Council communities to create effective solutions to live on your knees” generations for hope, healing, and (BYNC) In the early years BYNC engaged in The International Labour Organization’s to social and economic challenges, while health. Examples include Saskatchewan conflicts with the Union Stockyard 2003 report on “Working Out of Poverty” building local leadership skills, local Located on the south side of Chicago, Trappers Co-op and Big River owners and the city. Increasingly, found that participation and inclusion are autonomy and control. Canadians the Back of the Yards area is named after Big River First Nation Arts Co-op. though, BYNC obtained resources for central to poverty reduction and that continue to use the co-op model in its location next to the large Union Pacific neighbourhood development, for co-operatives are an ideal instrument for innovative ways to address a wide range railway yard. It is the old meatpacking Youth-based co-operative organizations, example the then innovative school lunch local development initiatives. In its 2007 of needs and challenges – including the area of the city. Labelled by Upton such as Youth Development Corporation programme. By the 1970s much of the brief on Revitalizing Canada’s Economy, needs of aboriginal and immigrant Sinclair as ‘The Jungle’ and the poet and Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op, European population had moved away the Canadian Co-operative Council called groups, youth, disabled persons, and Carl Sandburg as the ’hog butcher for are examples of how to break the and the area became increasingly for the co-operative model to be part of a low-income communities. the world’, the area was until recently poverty cycle by empowering at risk dominated by Hispanic immigration and national poverty reduction strategy within populated mainly by East European, youth through employment and job skills Keith Cossey is an IACD Board member. a significant African American population. low-income communities and especially Polish, immigrants. training with support and mentoring. He is a community planning and BYNC also changed into the key service neighbourhoods. Housing co-ops provide homes to development consultant and photo- A St Patrick’s Day parade, Alinsky’s innovation was to see the delivery organisation for the area, with members on a continuing basis and Though not all co-ops succeed, their based artist living in Halifax, Nova from the BYNC archives potential to use aggressive trade union an increasing focus on social and cultural operate as close to cost as possible. survival rate tends to be higher than that Scotia, Canada. organising tactics to mobilise a poor support and economic development.

18 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 19 than the local city administration or other Back of the Yards volunteers. institutions. The size and political power of Photo courtesy of BYNC community organization often means they Victory Village Forum: can attract sizeable inward investment and negotiate the take over of major service programmes. a partnership approach to A final point is that it is important to think big. For example TWO now delivers housing for 10,000 people, and in New York the community organization East Brooklyn transformation Congregations has built over 5000 local homes, other community organisations bid Victory Village – Nelson, New Zealand was named 2010 Community of the Year for funding in the tens of millions of dollars. for outstanding development, and, as a result, many people wanted to find out first hand about Village achievements. The basic premise of community organising n true Victory style they came up with This was a tall order and meant the Four specific highlights were identified: a creative response and worked with forum design was taken seriously. Along • Being at Victory Village – having a is that disadvantaged The Families Commission and Inspiring with content-filled workshops and panel I chance to see, hear and feel what it is Communities to run a national forum – sessions of local and national sector communities cannot like – and the opportunity to meet a Currently BYNC provides a diverse range of Over the years TWO has moved from based at the Village. Initially the idea leaders there were: wide range of people from Victory activities covering community and personal campaigning to urban regeneration and the achieve serious change was to meet the strong public interest in • ‘Home groups’ – people joined these needs, whilst supporting the cultural direct delivery of services. Its organisational Victory. Then it grew into an opportunity • Having the chance to network with at the beginning of the Forum. They diversity of the area. For example: structure is based upon a broad alliance of unless there is a transfer for others to share their experiences. like-minded people from around block clubs, churches, tenant counsels and provided the opportunity for people • Youth services: of power. New Zealand other civic and institutional organisations. Victory Village describes the partnership to plan what they wanted to get out - Homework tutoring TWO employs around 350 staff working in between Victory Community Health of and contribute to the Forum, and • The World Café because it brought - Computer classes the areas of real estate, health, education, Centre (VCHC) and Victory Primary to reflect on and analyse what they together the forum threads - Mexican folk dances This is where community organising and were learning during the Forum social service, law, urban planning and School (5-13 age group) – and active • Home groups – they helped make sense - Youth Council more traditional community development policy, finance, administration, employment relationships with families, the broader • A World Café – involving all 250 Forum of the forum and built relationships part company. A lot of community • Adult services: training and advocacy. Currently TWO community, local and central government participants in a conversation on how development can be small scale and The forum emphasised the importance - English Classes programmes include: agencies and some local businesses. to create change with a shared goal operates under the direct hegemony of local communities leading. Successful - Legal advice • Housing for more than 10,000 citizens In the last ten years it has become the of a family centred, community-led of the state. Community organising hub and heart of the wider Victory change must be driven ‘from the ground’, • Seniors services: development • Daycare and Head Start for more than challenges many of the assumptions which community. and communities must ‘own’ the process - Senior club covering health and safety 200 children underpin this approach. Maybe we are What did people get out – was a key message. Equally, the local – issues and social support often simply not ambitious enough in ‘dots’ need to be joined up across the • Child abuse counseling for 70 families - Free transportation using BYNC own challenging the status quo, and do not 250 participants – and of the Forum? country, and insights gained at the forum bus fleet • Alcohol and substance abuse residential believe sufficiently in the ability of people a waiting list Overwhelmingly, themes of pride, shared with key community funders, - Benefits advice treatment for 2500 persons to create a better world. As Alinsky wrote achievement and positivity emerged from policy makers and central government. - Computer training So in July 2011 more than 250 people “we must believe that it is the darkest the forum. Participants shared stories of People were keen to see resources, • Crisis intervention for 150 mentally ill adults from different sectors and from around before the dawn of a beautiful new world. communities using their strengths to lead case studies and support materials In addition BYNC is involved in supporting the country were warmly welcomed to • Welfare to work programs for more than We will see it when we believe it.” locally run initiatives, local government disseminated – the wealth of ideas and access to free medical care, and collective Victory Village to experience Victory’s 300 clients and businesses understanding the experiences that had been shared initiatives to regenerate the community, approach to family-centred, community- Links importance of applying the ‘family lens’ at the forum. create employment and stimulate inward In addition a comprehensive network of led development, deepen their and successes ‘against the odds’. investment. health and education services focus on Back of the Yards Neighbourhood Council: understanding of new ways of working The Forum was a Springboard – infant mortality reduction and reaches more http://bync.org/ and to plan together for further success The Victory story was a highlight – since then: The Woodlawn than 3000 teenagers and young adults. and tangible progress. ordinary people taking continued small Back of the Yards: Our Story • Community of Practice Networks Organisation (TWO) steps towards the extraordinary. formed in two regions using Inspiring Lessons http://www.youtube.com/ A group of innovative school and Just a few miles away from the Back Communities’: “What We Are Learning watch?v=20JDd1QhkKY community leaders and practitioners, “We called ourselves ‘opportunity rich’ of the Yards is the neighbourhood of The basic premise of community representatives from local government, because we were a low-decile school. Not about Community-led Development” Woodlawn. Until the late 1940’s organising is that disadvantaged The Woodlawn Organization: http:// iwi (Maori tribes) central government, everything needed to have an educational as a guide Woodlawn was mainly a white middle communities cannot achieve serious twochicago.org/Blog/ value, there was also social capital.” Mark support agencies, services, philanthropic • A forum report has been published and class area, including many people change unless there is a transfer of power. Brown, Principal, Victory Primary School. Recommended is Saul Alinsky’s ‘Rules for organisations and NGOs experienced discussed at existing regional networks1 employed by the nearby University of To do this they need to develop their own Radicals’ which outlines his basic system Victory Village. They shared their own Following the forum, participants were Chicago. From the 1950s onwards the autonomous organisations, which are • The organising group is planning future for building community organisations . developments and were also able to area was characterised by ‘white flight’ large enough to challenge institutional invited to provide feedback. Satisfaction access skills workshops about family- involvements, including a possible to the suburbs and increased inward power holders. Integral to this is the was very high, with 89 percent of survey Rod Purcell is Director of Community centred, community-led development. learning resource. The forum has migration and expansion of the African development of effective local leadership respondents being extremely satisfied Engagement at the University of Glasgow The forum was full beyond capacity already been a special feature of NZ’s American community. through training and reflective practice. or very satisfied. and IACD Board Member. Community with a waiting list. Future Times: www.futuretrust.org.nz Organizing: An International Study, by The Woodlawn Organization was Once these new power relations are Dave Beck and Rod Purcell will be formed in the early 1960s to resist urban established, the community organization published by Policy Press in early 2013. It’s all in the design clearance by the University of Chicago usually changes into delivering, in an The combined ways of thinking about learning, and support the wider civil rights and accountable way, the resources and Rod can be contacted at The Forum set out to build a network voter registration campaigns. Just as the services it has obtained. The assumption [email protected] of people to support and inspire each education, accessible services and strengths-based, Catholic Church significantly funded the being that due to the local and democratic other, understand how meaningful community development have produced shared values BYNC, TWO was initially funded by nature of the organization they will be change occurs, demonstrate progress a coalition of local churches. more responsive, efficient and effective and systems change. and an innovative approach.

20 Practice Insights | Issue 1 Issue 1 | Practice Insights 21 Victory Village: It takes a village to raise a child About 6000 people live in Victory and over 3000 are in the highest need category according to NZ’s deprivation index. Life can be tough and hasn’t always been rosy for the Victory community. Ten years ago the area was characterised by high levels of crime, low school achievement, high numbers of families moving in and out, a large number of solo parents, high About IACD numbers of refugees and migrants and IACD is a global network of community development low access to health care. organisations, practitioners, researchers, activists and policy Mark Brown, Principal at Victory Primary School, stresses that everyone matters at makers who are committed to issues of global justice. Victory: “We don’t enrol a child, we enrol a whole family.” What do we do? IACD links people to each other. We facilitate learning and practice exchange, both virtually Transformation from ‘lows’ and face-to-face. We work with partners to deliver regional, national and international events, to ‘highs’ – ‘we are all in this study visits and conferences. We document the work that our members are doing around the together’ around development, relationships, Inspiring Communities world by collecting case studies, tools and materials on community development, and sharing leadership and professionalism. They focus Inspiring Communities champions these through our website, publications and ebulletins. We carry out research projects, Over the last decade the community has on how change happens sustainably communities to flourish. It is a not for profit drawing on international experience. transformed itself into a place that thrives for and with families. A key principle Trust that has been working since 2008 – with students achieving higher than is intentional but organic growth. to grow the recognition, understanding IACD aims to give its members a voice at the global level, advocating for community national averages in many areas, higher For example families receive support and practice of community-led development principles and practice in international forums and consultations. IACD levels of safety, improved housing quality, that addresses needs and family development(CLD) and promote the has consultative status with the UN and its agencies. a more settled population and a more strengths – this evolves as families’ difference it makes in Aotearoa New actively engaged community that remains circumstances, needs and capacities Zealand. Inspiring Communities is part Further information similar in make up to 10 years ago. (see: change. Reciprocity is another key of a growing network of people practising For full details and to join, go to www.iacdglobal.org/join-us. www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0ydg08aqt principle – as people are helped, so community-led development in NZ. M for a brief clip of the Victory story) they become helpers.2 Inspiring Communities provides a Benefits of membership include: It is this transformation that sparked Victory Village creates an environment connecting hub. The opportunity to • Regular ebulletins and email updates popular interest in Victory Village and in where people, services and ideas positively co-create the Victory Village forum was the Forum. On the surface it is a school converge and this cross fertilisation seized, both to profile the local story, and • Access to restricted areas of the IACD website, with opportunities for learning and practice campus that has a community centre and strengthens and expands activities. to create an inaugural national opportunity exchange health services. In reality it is so much more. Education and community health and for sharing and learning about how the two • Opportunities to participate in study visits and other face-to-face learning events The combined ways of thinking about development positively overlap and lenses of family-centred and community- learning, education, accessible services intersect in many ways to nurture families. led can work hand in hand. • Discounted rates at IACD conferences and strengths-based, community Partners in the Forum Although relatively new Inspiring • Discounted subscriptions to the Community Development Journal development have produced shared Communities is already highly valued values and an innovative approach. Families Commission for its: • Opportunities to share your work and experiences with a global audience, through our website, ebulletins, newsletters and other publications It is a first stop provider and facilitator The Families Commission is a centre of • active contribution to raising the profile of health, education and environmental excellence for knowledge about families of communities and community-led Non-members can sign up to our free ebulletin by following the link on our homepage. services, community connections and and whānau. development celebrations. Services and activities This is achieved through the key activities of: • sharing of communities’ learning through Contributing articles support health and well being, are low • knowledge creation tools and tips, case studies and stories Our international Practice Insights publications are issued twice a year, each one focusing on a cost and accessible to all residents. • knowledge synthesis particular theme of relevance to community development. If you would like further information Services go hand-in-hand with a • knowledge translation • promotion of the theory and framing or to contribute to future editions, please contact [email protected]. development approach of working with • knowledge transfer of community-led development local people and groups, building networks, • knowledge exchange • role in identifying, discussing and profiling Alternatively, IACD members are welcome at any time to contribute news items, research, case events and activities. This produces: • use of kaupapa Māori models, emerging community themes and issues studies or other materials to our regular ebulletins and to the IACD website. festivals, recreation, celebrations, an annual methods and processes (November, 2011 Survey) Race Unity Day, a community garden, Policy and support are often based www.inspiringcommunities.org.nz hangi pit, early childhood services, and on the idea that government and Maori language revitalisation. organisations provide services to Authors: Mary-Jane Rivers and Barbara Victory Village is supported by many ‘small’ families, and families simply receive MacLennan (inspiring Communities) community actions – a pharmacist who those services. Commission research Kindra Douglas (Victory Village) delivers medicine locally, and shopkeepers shows clearly the limited success of this who provide basic items at no profit, to model. Instead, families, whānau, and Charlie Moore (The Families Commission) struggling families. community need to be seen as a core part of the solution, with services Transformation by Design – supporting. Families and communities positive convergence and help to design and deliver the support needed. When this happens, services always adapting 1. http://www.inspiringcommunities.org.nz/community- and support are more accessible, led-development/national-initiatives Importantly, the combined Victory Village 2. taken from Paths of Victory, a 2010 report undertaken successful and cost effective. with Victory Village by The Families Commission – is based on strong underlying principles www.nzfamilies.org.nz http://www.nzfamilies.org.nz www.iacdglobal.org

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