Improving existing communities

Improving the economic, social and cultural conditions of a village, small town or city neighbourhood through having residents' plan and execute the improvements.

Humans are social beings and society is comprised of individuals. Throughout generations, human beings have inevitably always lived together, grouped initially by family connection and then linked by other ties or interests. Communities give a sense of belonging: a human environment in which to express oneself, interact and grow. Ultimately, every human being belongs to the global community. Communities may evolve or be formed for different reasons, but whatever the reasons, the purpose of a community is to serve human needs. Commonality or like-mindedness play a valid part. But normally the parameters in which a community is formed will be such that the community will contain people who have differences on at least one level, be it age, nationality, ideology, culture or profession. Transcending these differences by acknowledging the common denominator of the human worth of every individual is the foundation upon which the real strength of the community can be built. Any community that is to survive and flourish must respond to the needs of its members as humans beings and seek to harmonize personal interests and those of the community as a whole. A community which fails to take account of human nature will eventually defeat its own purposes and suffer disintegration.

UNICEF through the Bamako Initiative in West and Central Africa explored the possibility of development from below, of community participation and even of community financing. Experiences of this type exist in the region, at very different levels, ranging from traditional community-based organizations and development taxes to various committees (health, water and development) which flourished in an effort to respond the many problems and their financial implications.