November 30, 2011

Stages of implementation of community empowerment

   
1. Site selection
Site selection performed to determine the place or area of ​​the desired implementation of community empowerment. Site selection carried out in accordance with criteria agreed by the institutions, stakeholders and society. For example:
• The willingness of people receiving non-physical activities
• Not too many other project
• The existence of marginalized communities
• Support from village officials and community leaders
• The location of affordable, appropriate skills and facilities.
Determination of these criteria is important that institutional objectives will be achieved in the Community Empowerment and the selection of project locations as possible. It could be a village is too broad to apply for Community Empowerment so that Community Empowerment might be carried out for example in one hamlet.

2. Socialization of community empowerment
Socialization of community empowerment was done to create communication and dialogue with communities to improve community understanding and concerned parties about the program. Socialization process will determine the public interest to participate and be involved in the program.
Stages and methods in the socialization process include: Formal meetings with Village officials and community leaders, Agree work areas (hamlet), a formal meeting with the community, informal meeting with the community: home visits, group discussions, participate in community activities (social, religious, field)
Things that need to be socialized for example: Explanation of the purpose, benefits, target of community empowerment, community empowerment Principles (including the principle of non-physical), Explanation of the target group (men, women, youth and others), and community feedback on all aspects above. Materials and media that can be used in socialization include: Brochures, Movie (video), Poster, Books etc.

3. The process of community empowerment:

Assessment of participatory rural state.
The states assessments are intended to Participatory Rural communities are able and confident in identifying and analyzing the situation, both the potential and problems. Also this stage is intended to get an idea about the social, economic and community institutions as well as natural resources and human resources. This overview will provide a basis for planning development activities.

Development of group
Group development activities carried out by focusing on people who are really interested and keen to do activities together. In this case to consider the involvement of women and other neglected. This joint activity can form a complete group with stewardship and rules. Formation based on the will of society and can happen at the time of implementation of the Participatory Rural Assessment situation and thereafter. In connection with the Community Empowerment to empower the community in improving their standard of living, then the direction the group is to prepare the public assistance in order to really be able to manage their own activities.

Plan Formulation and Implementation Activities
Preparation of a plan intended to groups and group members are able to develop and implement concrete action plans and realistic. Basis of preparation is the potential and the problems that have been identified in Participatory Rural Assessment circumstances and objectives of the group that has been determined. In the preparation of plans and implementation activities, monitoring and evaluation, not just administrators, but all group members participate.

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E)
Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation is not a particular activity, but carried out in depth at all stages. for Community Empowerment process went well and the goal will be achieved.  Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) executed by all parties involved in the Community Empowerment where the point is the community's role as the main actors. Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) is a process of assessment, assessment and monitoring of Community Empowerment, both the process (implementation) and outcomes and impacts can be structured so that the repair process if necessary.

4. Empowerment of Community
Process for Community Empowerment is a process of continuous learning for the community with the goal of independence of the community in efforts to increase their standard of living. Noteworthy is the community from the beginning of the process realized that this would happen. Besides, it is important to determine and agree with the community about the criteria for the retreat. Although the team is backed up, its members still play a role, namely as an advisor or consultant when required by the community.