An Open Educational Resource by Dr. Mahbub Hasan MSW, Ph.D.
Community Development Practice is a resource book for students, social workers and community leaders. The author and contributors have defined key concepts in this book and discussed theories, models, frameworks, and tools applied in community development practice in Canada and globally. The author used images, videos, and podcasts in each chapter to make this book purely digital, accessible, and interesting for readers. Academics, Community Development practitioners, and community activists from Canada and worldwide have contributed to this book.
Community Development Practice: From Canadian and Global Perspectives-Foreword by Jennifer Woodill Source: https://youtu.be/kUdU8ltslPs
Dear Readers & Community!
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Community Development Practice: From Canadian and Global Perspectives.
This Open Educational Resource (OER) is a practice guide for students, social workers, and community leaders. I am delighted to write and create Community Development Practice, a textbook for our Community Development Course (SSWR302) students at Centennial College. In this book, myself as author as well as other contributors have defined key concepts, discussed theories, principles, and frameworks, and developed processes and tools to be applied in community development work practice. This resource book has incorporated community development stories, case studies, models, and practices from Canada, Asia, Africa, and the world. In each chapter, we have incorporated images with captions, videos, and podcasts to make this book digital, enjoyable, and connect the readers with the global community.
My self and the contributors of this book have extensive work experience in community development in Canada and internationally, and currently work in leadership roles. We have shared our firsthand experiences in community practice in this book. We also have shared links to relevant academic and community development practice resources to address readers’ further learning needs.
To ensure quality and relevance, a team of experienced community development practitioners and educators provided advice and reviewed the content of this book. As a reader and user, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback in each chapter as this resource book is based on true community principles. We are committed to enhancing the quality of this resource book based on your contribution and feedback.
Finally, Community Development Practice: From Canadian and Global Perspectives is an open and free resource for students, community leaders, and social workers across the globe. Let us learn and work together to build our communities.
Author, Community Development Practice: From Canadian and Global Perspectives. Professor, Community Services Department Centennial College, Toronto, Canada.
September 2022. Email: mhasan@centennialcollege.ca Twitter: @drmhasan
What are the standard components of a grant proposal?
Process in developing a grant proposal
Result Based Management (RBM)
Writing Components of a grant proposal
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Project Learning and Results Dissemination
Work Plan
Project cost and Budget
Dr. Hasan welcoming European Commission’s delegates to visit a good governance project in Bangladesh in 2007.
Introduction:
A grant proposal is an idea and a dream where community aspirations are communicated with funders by an agency or community group. Our communities have various assets, but sometimes they need external support to address the pressing and immediate needs of the community members. This chapter will focus on defining a grant proposal and when and why you should write it. This blog post will describe key elements of a grant proposal and how to write it logically using result-based management. This blog also explains how to create a project budget and work plan, by sharing an example of a request for proposals and a written grant.
1. What is a Grant Proposal?
A grant is a sum of money given to an agency or individual to address a problem or need in the community. The written document that one prepares to request or apply for this money (funding) is a grant proposal (CommunityToolbox). A grant proposal is an expression of partnership to work together on common interests and achieve common goals. This document briefly explains community issue/needs, how the issue affects community members, and provide the rationale for why the issue should be addressed through collaborative efforts with the community.
A grant proposal communicates how this funding will make a positive change in people’s lives. Grant proposals are prepared as per the funder’s guidelines, including a description of the desired interventions or community change initiatives, inputs and resources -both financial and technical support required for the community initiative. Some funders may provide only financial support, some may provide in-kind support (such as technical expertise needed), and some funders/agencies partner with local agencies and community groups for community initiatives. For example, agencies like United Way Greater Toronto and ActionAid International provide both financial and technical support for community initiatives or projects. Agencies such as Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada and City of Toronto provide grants to community agencies and groups for their project. An agency like VSO International provides technical support to community initiatives by placing volunteers.
Where might you find postings of Calls for Proposals
• Web sites for individual government agencies and foundations
• Newsletter circulated by NGOs networks
• Advertisements on social media and newspapers
Grants are competitive!
Winning a grant is challenging because many agencies submit their unique project ideas for community change. Usually, a funder has specific amounts of grants disbursement in a particular year or a period. A funder cannot fund all projects. For example, while working as Program Officer of Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) in Bangladesh in 2005, our office received 54 grant proposals from local agencies. Most agencies wanted to address critical community issues and submit their project proposals. However, we had to select only 11 proposals for funding. Our team lead was the Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Our team initially selected 17 unique project ideas submitted by the agencies, and then we created Project Approval Document to present to the High Commissioner. Finally, we selected 11 projects for funding through a consultative process. Some key considerations for selection were:
whether the initiative will address pressing community needs
project location
whether the project is logically organized
if the project goals are aligned with CFLI,
project inputs and budget are relevant and consistent with project goal and objectives
community engagement strategies
how the project activities will be monitored and results will be evaluated
organizational capacity to successfully complete the project
2. Why are grant proposals developed?
In the community/international development sector, agencies and groups work with the community to address emerging issues, build community assets, enhance harmony and collaboration, and socio-economic, cultural, and spiritual development. In doing this work, Community/International Development (CD) workers continuously dialogue with community members, identify their challenges and needs, and develop an action plan. In an agency setting, CD practitioners share ongoing community needs and aspirations with their program and resource mobilization team. They jointly develop a formal proposal and seek support from funders such as government agencies, private organizations, trusts, and foundations with similar interests and mission mandates.
When is a grant proposal developed?
As a Social Worker, you may plan to submit a proposal for a new initiative or ongoing project that might need additional resources to achieve the goal. Usually, the funders announce calls for grant proposals where donors state their mission, priorities, amount of grants, eligibility for recipient agency and criteria for the community initiatives, what activities will be funded, and timeframe for proposal submission. A grant proposal creates a partnership between two like-minded agencies that have similar interests. In this partnership, one will be directly involved with the community and will implement a project to achieve desired goals set by the community. At the same time, another will provide financial and technical support to the implementing agency to achieve community change.
Who develops a grant proposal?
Writing a grant proposal is teamwork. A grant proposal has various components such as a statement on community needs/issues, project description, project implementation, and community engagement strategies and budget. As a CD Worker, you should have the knowledge and skills to develop a grant proposal. In this regard, you must collaborate with your colleagues with specific skill sets such as communications, creative writing, project management, human resource, and financial management. Your teamwork will increase the probability of winning in this competitive process.
3. What are the standard components of a grant proposal?
• Statement of the Problem / Needs Statement
• Project Description (goals and objectives and methods/activities)
• Evaluation Plan
• Budget Request and Budget Justification
• Applicant Qualifications
• Future Funding Plans / Plans for Sustainability
• Appendices (Work plan, Audited Financial Report of the Agency, Annual Report, Agency Policies etc)
Successful grant writing is a bottom-up approach. You should engage community people (who are directly or indirectly impacted by the community issues)in this process. Remember, community people are the experts and have first-hand experience with the issue and needs. As CD workers, our role is to capture the community voice, including needs and aspiration, and transform it into a community initiative.
After identifying the issues through community consultations, our next step would be gathering relevant statistics, relevant research reports, and recent news stories from mainstream media, both electronic and print media such as newspapers and television. Funders want to hear a compelling story about the community by sharing their voices, concerns, and aspirations. To explain a community issue and its urgency for support, we should provide facts from recent statistical reports, research reports, and news stories. Identify community assets and resources that will be utilized to address the community issue. Most funders want to see what community resources will be utilized.
Understanding the grant call and requirements is the most critical step in the grant proposal writing process. You should review funders’ websites, their vision, mission, priorities, and guidelines for the specific grant call you are interested in applying to. Most funders organize orientation sessions to discuss their priorities and funding guidelines. You should join such a session to gain more deeper knowledge about the grant call. Your participation in the orientation session may help you for building a network with funders and develop a partnership. You can contact the funder for clarification about guidelines.
Community engagement in every stage of the project cycle is an essential indicator for winning a grant proposal. So ask the community how they want to contribute to the project cycle, such as planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. It is our responsibility to explain the project cycle to the community and share how they can participate and provide leadership in the community initiative. One of the ways to engage the community in the project/initiative is to recruit project staff from the community. Of course, the staff has the required skill sets and experience to perform the tasks. We can always build staff capacity through ongoing training and mentoring. Recruiting volunteers is another way to engage the local community with your initiative. Your project should plan how many volunteers you need to recruit, what skill sets are required for performing the volunteer roles, and how the volunteers will be appreciated.
While developing a grant proposal, you should discuss it with local agencies and gather their perspectives on the community issues. Collaboration with other local agencies will make your grant proposal stronger, and sometimes is a requirement of the grant. Collaboration may mean that local agencies write a ‘letter of support’ for your grant proposal application. As well, you can obtain letters of support for your project from local elected representatives and administrators who are interested in working on the issues.
Finally, ensure that your agency has an updated website with a clear and unique vision, mission, values, principles, and program and project details with stories. These should be outlined in your strategic plan. Your agency should have updated financial information, audited reports, and annual report. Your agency should have updated policies such as human resources, administration, finance, Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.
5. Result Based Management (RBM)
Canadian Government agencies often ask for a project’s Result Based Management framework. This RBM framework allows funders to understand whether the funding developed logically, how the project will be implemented, and how its progress and achievements will be measured.
The aim of Results-Based Management is to improve managementthroughout a project and a program life cycle: from initiation(analysis, project planning and design),to implementation(results-based monitoring, adjustments and reporting), and to closure(final evaluations and reports, and integrating lessons learned into future programming). By managing better, you can maximize the achievement of results, that is, the positive changes you set out to achieve or contribute to with your programs or projects (Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.8)
According to the Global Affairs Canada, Results-based Management RBM means:
defining realistic expected results based on appropriate analyses;
clearly identifying program beneficiaries and designing programs to meet their needs;
monitoring progress towards results and resources [utilized] with the use of appropriate indicators;
identifying and managing risks while bearing in mind the expected results and necessary resources;
increasing knowledge by learning lessons and integrating them into decisions; and
reporting on the results achieved and resources involved.
(Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.8-9)
The aim of Results-Based Management is to improve management throughout a project and a program life cycle: from initiation(analysis, project planning and design),to implementation(results-based monitoring, adjustments and reporting), and to closure(final evaluations and reports, and integrating lessons learned into future programming). By managing better, you can maximize the achievement of results, that is, the positive changes you set out to achieve or contribute to with your programs or projects (Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.102-103).
Results-Based Management and the Theory of Change
A theory of change explains how an initiative is expected to produce its results. The theory typically starts out with a sequence of events and results (outputs, immediate outcomes, intermediate outcomes and ultimate outcomes) that are expected to occur owing to the [initiative]. This is commonly referred to as the “program logic” or “logic model.” However, the theory of change goes further by outlining the mechanisms of change, as well as the assumptions, risks and context that support or hinder the theory from being manifested as observed outcomes (Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.13)
The theory of change is a fundamental part of managing for results. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat describes it as follows:
Every program [and project] is based on a “theory of change” – a set of assumptions, risks and external factors that describes how and why the program [or project] is intended to work. This theory connects the program’s [or project’s] activities with its [expected ultimate outcome]. It is inherent in the program [or project] design and is often based on knowledge and experience of the program [or project design team], research, evaluations, best practices and lessons learned
(Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.12)
Theory of change reinvigorates the analytic roots of Results-Based Management, emphasizing the need to understand the conditions that influence the project and the motivations and contributions of various actors. When Results-Based Management is properly applied, project design is based on a thorough analysis of the issue and the context in which it exists, which informs an evidence-based solution to the issue: the theory of change (Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.12)
Global Affairs Canada’s results chain
Global Affairs Canada’s results chain is divided into six levels. Each of these represents a distinct step in the logic of a project. The top three levels—ultimate, intermediate and immediate outcomes—constitute the actual changes expected to take place. In the context of development, these are also referred to as development results. The bottom three levels—inputs, activities and outputs—address the means to arrive at these changes (Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.15)
Within the results chain, each level of outcomes is very distinct, with clear definitions of the type of change that is expected at that level. These definitions, along with the definitions for inputs, activities and outputs, are defined below (Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.15).
RBM Frame Work:
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.20
Defining Results Chain
Ultimate outcome– Change in state, condition or well-being of beneficiaries/project participants
The highest-level change to which an organization, policy, program, or project contributes through the achievement of one or more intermediate outcomes. The ultimate outcome is known as Project Goal. An ultimate outcome reflect changes in the lives of women, men, girls and boys in the partner country. For example:
Enhanced economic prosperity for the poor, particularly women and youth, in country X
Increased food security of food insecure populations in region Y of country X
Reduced suffering in communities experiencing acute food insecurity in country X
An ultimate outcome usually occurs after the end of the project, but should, when feasible, still be measured during the life of the project as changes may occur earlier. Once the project is over, the achievement of the ultimate outcome can be assessed through an ex-post evaluation.
Source: Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.16-17
b) Intermediate outcomes – Change in behaviour, practice or performance
Intermediate outcomes articulate the changes in behaviour, practice or performance that intermediaries and/or beneficiaries should experience by the end of a project. For example:
Increased use of business development and financial services by micro enterprises, particularly those led by women, in province Y of country X
Improved use of essential maternal health services, including those related to sexual and reproductive health, by women in village Y of country X
Improved provision of gender sensitive and rights-based antenatal care to pregnant women by health professionals in region X
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.16-17
c) Immediate outcomes – Change in capacities
Immediate outcomes represent the first level of change that intermediaries or beneficiaries experience once implementers start delivering the outputs of a project.
For instance, “Increased knowledge of antenatal-care practices by health professionals in region X” may result from the outputs of “Training on antenatal-care practices provided to selected nurses and midwives” and “Mentorship program established for trainee nurses.”
Immediate outcomes articulate the changes in capacity that intermediaries and/or beneficiaries should experience during the life of a project. For example:
Improved business skills of urban women and youth in city Y of country X
Increased knowledge and skills in developing, ratifying and/or implementing legal instruments among personnel in organization X in the countries of region Y
Enhanced access to improved water and sanitation facilities for women of reproductive age, newborns and children under age five in rural areas of country X
Increased ability of health workers to address the nutrition challenges of women and children, especially girls in county Z
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.17
d) Outputs – Products and services
Output: Direct products or services stemming from the activities of an organization, policy, program or project.
Outputs are the direct products or services stemming from the activities of an implementer. For example:
Community volunteers (f/m) trained to disseminate key messages on essential nutrition and hygiene actions in village Y, X, and Z of country X
Training on responses to sexual and other forms of gender-based violence provided to field investigative teams (f/m) in province Y of country X
Water and sanitation facilities built/refurbished in rural areas of country X
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.18
e) Activities
Activities: Actions taken or work performed through which inputs are mobilized to produce outputs.
Activities are the direct actions taken or work performed by project implementers. Activities unpack an output into the set of tasks required to complete it. There can be more than one activity per output. For instance:
Example:
Output: Training on responses to sexual and other forms of gender-based violence provided to field investigative teams in province Y of country X
Activities:
Develop training curriculum and materials for field investigative teams on the prevention of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence
Deliver training to field investigative teams on the prevention of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.17-18
f) Inputs
Inputs: The financial, human, material and information resources used to produce outputs through activities in order to accomplish outcomes.
Together, inputs, activities and outputs represent “how” implementers will work to achieve a project’s expected outcomes.
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.19
Completed RBM Logic Model Template:
Fill out the logic model template using the outcome and output statements you’ve developed during your brainstorming sessions.
*Note: In the context of this project, gender sensitive is defined as: gender sensitive awareness campaign, training materials, and programs that are designed based on gender analysis to promote equal roles for women and men in healthcare (e.g. women and men as doctors and women and men as care providers); to challenge gender stereotypes and biases that lead to discrimination and harmful practices (e.g. boy preference, sexual abuse/harassment, gender-based violence); to support the rights of women and girls in health decision-making, particularly in sexual and reproductive rights; and to promote equal participation of, and benefit to, women and men (girls and boys).
Outputs and Activities Matrix
Immediate Outcome 1110
Improved equitable access to clean drinking water for women, men, girls and boys in region Y.
Output 1111
Wells built in community X, in consultation with local stakeholders, especially women as primary water managers in the community.
Activity 1111.1
Undertake gender sensitive consultations with community members, especially women
Activity 1111.2
Prepare well construction plan
Activity 1111.3
Conduct geological survey and water testing.
Activity 1111.4
Procure construction materials and equipment.
Activity 1111.5
Contract construction firm.
Activity 1111.6
Facilitate community oversight of well construction.
Output 1112
Existing wells of region Y rehabilitated using gender equitable participatory approaches.
Activity 1112.1
Conduct water testing.
Immediate Outcome 1120
Increased ability to maintain wells among female and male members of community water collectives in region Y.
Output 1121
Training on well maintenance developed and delivered to female and male members of the community water collectives in region Y.
Activity 1121.1
Conduct project management gap analysis with male and female community members and gender equality and environmental technical advisors.
Activity 1121.2
Design training and handouts.
Activity 1121.3
Deliver training.
Activity 1121.4
Evaluate course.
Activity 1121.5
Conduct ongoing mentoring with selected male and female community members.
Output 1122
Technical assistance provided to community water collectives of region Y for the sourcing of parts from local and regional suppliers.
Activity 1122.1
Research suppliers.
Immediate Outcome 1210
Improved equitable access to health facilities for women, men, girls and boys living in region Y.
Output 1211
Regional health centres in region Y rehabilitated and equipped.
Activity 1211.1
Conduct needs assessments with health centres’ staff.
Activity 1211.2
Prepare procurement plan.
Activity 1211.3
Implement procurement plan.
Activity 1211.4
Prepare rehabilitation plan.
Activity 1211.5
Implement rehabilitation plan.
Output 1212
Gender sensitive awareness campaign on the availability of health services in newly rehabilitated health centres conducted.
Activity 1212.1
Develop messaging. [Remaining activities removed for the purposes of the How-to Guide.].
Immediate Outcome 1220
Improved skills of local health centre male and female staff in gender sensitive triage, diagnosis, and primary healthcare in region Y.
Output 1221
Gender sensitive materials for skills development programs and on-the-job coaching on triage, diagnosis and primary healthcare developed.
Activity 1221.1
Conduct project management gap analysis with regional government staff and gender equality and environmental technical advisors.
Activity 1221.2
Design gender sensitive training slides and handouts.
Output 1222
Gender sensitive skills development programs and on-the-job coaching on triage, diagnosis and primary healthcare provided to male and female staff in regional health centres.
Activity 1222.1
Deliver gender sensitive training sessions to female and male staff.
Activity 1222.2
Evaluate training sessions.
Activity 1222.3
Conduct ongoing mentoring with selected male and female staff.
6. Writing Components of a grant proposal
How to write a grant proposal: a step-by-step guide
A grant proposal has critical components, and you must answer the following questions to make your grant proposal. You will get instructions for the word limit. You are required to create short paragraphs to write each section. Please do not forget to answer all questions in your shorter paragraphs under each section.
Situation Analysis
To write this section (1), you should conduct situation analysis. Problem Tree analysis is important tool/method for situation analysis.
Problem tree analysis
The problem tree is one of the methods used most frequently at Global Affairs Canada—although staff and partners may choose to use others. This is a visual situation analysis tool that enables its users to break down a very complex issue into its components, and then to examine and explore the cause-and-effect relationships between these components. It enables users to identify potential reach (intermediaries and beneficiaries), activities, outputs and outcomes for a project and gives users an idea of other key stakeholders and how they relate to and experience the issues. As such, it is particularly well suited to supporting the articulation of a theory of change and the development of a logic model.
In a problem tree, the trunk represents the core problem(s), the roots represent the causes of the core problem and the branches represent the effects.
A solution tree is a diagram that translates selected elements of the problem tree into a rudimentary theory of change.
Once the first four steps of problem-tree exercise have been completed, compare the findings to those findings of other exercises, such as program/portfolio review and donor mapping, and budget and organizational priorities, to determine which elements of the situation the project will attempt to address. Next, develop a solution tree for the selected elements. For each selected negative statement, the solution tree should contain a corresponding outcome statement, and output or activity statement.
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.69
Stakeholder mapping
Stakeholder mapping is another tool used during the situation analysis stage. Stakeholder mapping enables the design team to identify key stakeholders—including intermediaries and beneficiaries—their relationships to each other, and their level of interest in, and influence over, the issues at hand.
Stakeholder mapping can be done as a separate exercise or as part of the problem tree exercise. Key questions to ask for every issue explored are:
Who owns this?
Who controls this?
Who decides this?
Who is responsible for this?
Who has the power to change this?
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.70
Project Participants/Stakeholders
Who is directly affected by the issue?
Who is indirectly affected by the issue?
Who is (community groups) currently working with/connected with the affected population?
Stakeholders include beneficiaries, intermediaries, implementers and donors as well as other actors:
Beneficiary: The set of individuals that experience the change of state, condition or well-being at the ultimate outcome level of a logic model. In its international assistance programming, Global Affairs Canada-funded implementers usually work through intermediaries to help achieve changes for beneficiaries. Global Affairs Canada implementers may also work directly with beneficiaries. In this case, beneficiaries may, like intermediaries, also experience changes in capacity (immediate outcome), and changes in behaviour, practices or performance (intermediate outcome).
Intermediary: Individual, group, institution or government, that is not the ultimate beneficiary of the project, but that will experience a change in capacity (immediate outcome) and a change in behaviour, practices or performance (intermediate outcome) which will enable them to contribute to the achievement of a sustainable change of state (ultimate outcome) of the beneficiaries. Intermediaries are often mandate holders or duty bearers that are responsible for providing services to the ultimate beneficiaries.They are the entities that implementers work with directly. Implementer: Private firm, non-governmental organization, multilateral organization, educational institution, provincial or federal government department or any other organization selected by Global Affairs Canada to implement a project in a partner country. Depending on the context, an implementer may be referred to as an implementing organization, executing agency, partner or recipient. Donor: Global Affairs Canada or another donor organization that provides financial, technical and other types of support to a project.
Other Stakeholder: An individual, group, institution, or government with an interest or concern, – economic, societal or environmental – in a particular measure, proposal or event.
Source: Global Affairs Canada, 2016, p.8
Project Description
In this resection, you should create RBM logical template and describe each section. Please see section/topic. Funders usually expect that you provide an RBM template and describe your project idea in a compelling way within 1000 words. The project description is the critical section where you logically share your plan and theory of change. Here is some tips to write this section: · How do you plan to address community needs utilizing community assets and capacities?
· Demonstrate that each project objective is SMART (i.e., Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-specific) and therefore credible.
· Use activity/action words: facilitate, conduct, deliver, promote, train, provide, repair, etc.
· Under each objective, briefly describe specific activities that relate to the objective.
· Your project objectives and activities must be based on Community Development Principles and Elements.
· Detail why your proposed strategies and activities are unique and innovative and will effectively respond to the community’s needs.
Describe alignment between community needs, agency involvement, and funder’s priorities
· Outline your agency’s vision, mission, experience, and priorities in dealing with the issues in the neighborhood and project participants
· Demonstrate community development and resident engagement expertise and knowledge of your agency regarding the local community
· How does your request reflect the priorities of the funder?
The theoretical basis for the interventions
· Your project activities, objectives, and goals should be connected to at least one or two Community Development theories (e.g. Systems Theory, Anti-Oppressive Practice, Indigenous Worldviews, etc.). We have discussed some theories in this resource book.
· Create a diagram on the theory of change. This will make your grant proposal unique, and it will get the attention of funders. This basis of your theory of change should be your RBM.
Project Organization
In this section, you should highlight some key points such as:
a) How will the proposed project be implemented? Outline your human resource plan (number of project staff and volunteers who will be engaged in the project). Please allocate staff and volunteer costs in the project budget.
b) Create a project organogram to show human resources for project administration.
Do not forget to review the funders’ website and priorities and match it with your project goals and ideas. Moreover, use keywords, terminologies, and facts used by funders which will help you to show alignments between your project and funders’ priority.
Community Engagement
Most funders are interested in how you plan to engage the community in every stage of the project cycle, i.e., from project inception to closing.
Shared ownership
Whether your project focuses on international development, humanitarian action, advancing democracy or international security, stakeholders must have a voice in decision-making and the project must make an active effort to meet their specific needs. In other words, the project must be “based on shared ownership of decision-making.”In the context of development, participatory approaches came into practice in “response to ‘top down’ approaches to development, in which power and decision-making [was] largely in the hands of external development professionals” (Global Affairs Canada, p.25)
Involving the appropriate people
Taking a participatory approach means that the design team[1] should ensure that all key stakeholders—including intermediariesand beneficiaries, both female and male—are involved and consulted throughout the project’s life cycle, from planning and design to implementation, monitoring and reporting. While a participatory approach usually requires a good deal of time and resources during the project planning and design phases, this approach yields enormous and sustainable benefits over the long term (Global Affairs Canada, p.25)
Allocating appropriate time and resources during the project life cycle
Appropriate time and resources should be allocated to ensure that all key stakeholders are involved in planning, joint monitoring, evaluation and decision-making throughout the project life cycle (Global Affairs Canada, p.25).
Using the appropriate methodologies
A participatory approach can be facilitated through many different methodologies. Project teams should choose those most appropriate to the context in which they are working. Whatever methodologies are selected, it is vital that expected outcomes and indicators be developed through a consensus building process involving all key stakeholders. Any methodology chosen must also encourage equitable and gender sensitive participation (Global Affairs Canada, p.25)
Why is a participatory approach important?
A participatory approach increases effectiveness
A participatory approach is integral to the success of managing for results and increases the chances of achieving and maintaining expected outcomes. Here are three reasons to use a participatory approach.
a) It expands the information base needed for realistic project planning and design.
Results identification and assessment hinges on comprehensive information collection. Bringing together the project’s key stakeholders—including intermediariesand beneficiaries—will help ensure that their knowledge, experience, needs and interests inform project design. This is essential for obtaining information about local, cultural and
socio-political contexts, and about other practices, institutions and capacities that may influence the project, thus ensuring a more realistic project design (Global Affairs Canada, p.26)
b) It encourages local ownership and engagement.
Close collaboration and participation of beneficiaries, intermediaries and other stakeholdersduring both the design and implementation phases increases the likelihood that outcomes will: reflect their needs and interests; be relevant to, and realistic for, the local context or situation; and be monitored on an ongoing basis. It creates a sense of ownership of the project and its expected outcomes (Global Affairs Canada, p.26)
c) It makes achievement of the expected outcomes and sustainability more likely.
When beneficiariesand intermediariesare fully engaged in the design, implementation and monitoring (including data collection) of a project, the expected outcomes are more likely to be achieved in a sustainable fashion. In other words, participation increases ownership of the results achieved and makes it more likely that local people will continue to be active agents in their own development (Global Affairs Canada, p.26)
In writing Community engagement section, you should focus on the following points:
Demonstrate how the project participants, such as low-income residents and other equity-seeking groups, will be involved and participate in the project.
Explain methods used for community involvement, engagement, participation, and empowerment (avoid “clientizing” community members).
What strategies are you using to build power in the community?
What steps will you take to try and ensure the project is sustainable?
Integration of Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability
Gender equality results are fundamental to program effectiveness, as it ensures that women and men receive the tailored support they need to achieve similar outcomes. Global Affairs Canada’s Gender Equality Policy for Development Assistance Objectives
To advance women’s equal participation with men as decision-makers in shaping the sustainable development of their societies
To support women and girls in the realization of their full human rights, and
To reduce gender inequalities in access to and control over the resources and benefits of development
Women Empowerment: § Women’s empowerment is central to achieving gender equality. § Through empowerment, women become aware of unequal power relations, gain control over their lives, and acquire a greater voice to overcome inequality in their home, workplace and community.
Source: Global Affairs Canada, p.27
7. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Monitoring and evaluation have always been fundamental aspects of good project and program management. In project management, the term ‘Monitor’ means to collect performance data with respect to a plan, produce performance measures, and report and disseminate performance information (PMI, 2013, p.546). And Monitor and Control project work means the process of tracking, reviewing, and reporting the progress to meet the performance objectives defined in the project management plan (PMI, 2013, 546).
Monitoring & Evaluation Plan for NGOs | An Introduction
Results-based monitoring:“… the continuous process of collecting and analyzing information on key indicators and comparing actual results with expected results in order to measure how well a project, program or policy is being implemented. It is a continuous process of measuring progress towards explicit short-, intermediate-, and long-term results by tracking evidence of movement towards the achievement of specific, predetermined targets by the use of indicators. Results-based monitoring can provide feedback on progress (or the lack thereof) to staff and decision makers, who can use the information in various ways to improve performance “(Global Affairs Canada, p.24).
Evaluation: “Evaluation is the systematic and objective assessment of an on-going or completed project [or part of], programme or policy, its design, implementation and results”. “In the development context, evaluation refers to the process of determining the worth or significance of a development [initiative]” (Global Affairs Canada, p.24).
Results-based monitoring and evaluation require collecting data on outcomes, along with critical thinking and analysis. They both aim to provide information that contributes to learning and can help inform decisions, improve performance and achieve better results. Results-Based Management is a continuous process of collecting and analyzing data on indicators and using these data to assess progress on or towards the expected outcomes. It provides information on, and evidence of, a project’s status at any given time (and over any given time) relative to targets for outputs and expected outcomes at all levels: immediate, intermediate and ultimate. It is descriptive in intent, in that it assesses whether change is happening. In comparison, results-based evaluation provides in-depth evidence to support a specific purpose, such as learning or accountability, or sometimes both, at a specific point in time (Global Affairs Canada, p.23).
Here are few questions and tips for creating your monitoring and evaluation section:
· How will you recognize if you are running a successful project?
· Determine how you will monitor your project (planned activities vs. progress and corrective actions).
· How will you measure your program outcomes? (planned objectives and results/outcome and project goal)
· Describe types of documents (i.e., attendance, meeting minutes, etc.) and systems (excel database) your agency will use to record data and assess progress.
· Describe methods (i.e., survey, case study, interview, Focus Group Discussion, etc.) that will be used to evaluate project outcome/results.
8. Project Learning and Results Dissemination
Describe how project achievements and lessons learned will be shared with United Way and relevant stakeholders (other neighborhoods, agencies, policymakers).
How will your agency collaborate with UW in sharing best practices?
Demonstrate the capacity to act as a local convener/issue leader.
9. Work plan
The purpose of the work plan is to provide the Funder with information regarding the key activities and timelines for your project (Government of Canada, 2022). While an organization often relies on a detailed work plan for project management, for the purposes of your proposal you are encouraged to only include the key activities that have a direct impact on the project objectives. It should not include all the administrative steps your organization will take to deliver the project, such as the tasks necessary to hire a project coordinator or related to reporting on your project. If your project is approved for funding, the eligible activities you include in your proposal will be included in your funding agreement with the Funder and in all subsequent reporting. Only providing key activities and related sub-activities will limit the burden on your organization throughout the project lifecycle (Government of Canada, 2022).
The key activities you propose need to:
be realistic in terms of project duration and funding available
be listed in a chronological order
be well-defined and linked to project objectives and deliverables or outputs
include timelines that are feasible and reflect the requirements of the activities being proposed
include information to demonstrate how the project outcomes will be sustained beyond the duration of project funding
include the involvement of partners or stakeholders, if applicable
Compare the activities to your budget to ensure you have the resources required to carry-out the project activities.
Consult the Activities section for more information on eligible and ineligible activities.
Eligibility criteria:
The application is complete. The work plan is complete.
The proposed activities are eligible and consistent with the objective of the call for proposals.
The proposed activities seek to alter, reorient or connect the elements of a system in order to accelerate systemic change.
Assessment criteria:
The application provides a clear description of each activity.
The application demonstrates how the activities are relevant to the project objectives.
The application provides clear and feasible timelines that are aligned with project activities.
The application demonstrates how the project outcomes will be sustained beyond the duration of the project funding.
The project budget is an estimate of all the funds needed to carry out the activities of the project. Budgets are broken down into individual lines that are determined by what the funder wants to see and the actual costs of your project (e.g. staff salaries and other project administration cost).
Do not put any ineligible costs under the funder’s column.
Please see a budget template in Appendix .
Every project, no matter how big or small, involves costs. It’s very rare to have endless piles of money at the ready, so having a planned budget for a project is a must. As the project manager, you’ll be accountable for sticking to the budget, so you need to be sure it’s right (Australian Institute of Project Management, 2022).
A project budget is the total estimated cost of completing each project activity over each phase of a project. It’s important as it helps set expenditure expectations and is critical in getting project approval, ensuring funds are ready at the right time, and measuring performance. It’s a dynamic document, continuously monitored, reviewed, and updated throughout the project (Australian Institute of Project Management, 2022).
What are the components of a project budget?
Project budgets contain all the costs associated with the project. It generally includes:
Labour costs: employee wages, benefits, payroll taxes, and overheads.
Material procurement costs: goods, services, equipment, and supplies needed for the project that come from external providers.
Project Title:
Duration of Project:
Start date: (April 1 or the effective date of this agreement, whichever is latest) (YYYY-MM-DD)
Project completion date (YYYY-MM-DD)
Allowable Expenditures
Organization Carrying Out the Project (Financial/In Kind)
From Funder
Other Source of Funding
Total Project Funding
Direct Delivery Expenditure
1. Salaries and benefits Please include the hourly rate associated with each of the team members, and a breakdown of how funds will be apportioned to each individual. Example: Project Coordinator: 1 Project Coordinator, 100% working time on project, annual salary $60,000 (including mandatory employement-related costs)
2. Travel expenses Please include the proposed location of travel, and the purpose of the travel, (conference, workshop, etc.), the estimated costs of each trip, and a breakdown of how funds will be apportioned (plane ticket, meals, accommodations, etc.) Example: Project Coordinator: 6 trips (Ottawa-Montreal) for workshops, train tickets 6 X $114 ($684) + Travel expenses 6 x $90 ($540) = $1,224
3. Telecommunications*Example: Internet and telephone, $2,100/year X 5% X 6 = $630*This item could be treated as Administrative cost depends how funder categorize it.
4. Contractual services Please include a list of services that will be contracted. Example: Translation services for outgoing communications for 12 days per year, $700/day X 12 X 6 = $50,400
5. Materials and suppliesExample: Supplies for meetings with external stakeholders for the 6 workshops, $150 X 6 = $900
6. Rentals (includes equipment and meeting rooms)
Please include a list of items that will be rented and the purpose of the rental. Example: Rental space for the 6 workshops, $400 X 6 = $2,400
7. Other (Please specify) RefreshmentsExample: Refreshment during the 6 workshops, $475 X 6 = $2,850 Example: Advertising space for 6 runs = $1,200
Administrative Expenditure
Indirect administrative expenditures (up to a maximum of 15% of the total direct Project expenditures, i.e. items 1 to 7 above)* Example: Executive Director, 3% working time on project, annual salary $90,000 X 3% X 6 years = $16,200Example: Accounting, 13 days (i.e. 7 hours), 15% working time on project, $90/hour X 13 X 7 X 15% X 6 = $7,374Example: Photocopying and printing, $960/month X 10% X 6 = $576Example: Office space of the organization, $15,600/year X 5% X 6 = $4,680
Total
Total AAA
Total BBBB
Total CCC
Total A+B+C
* E.g. Indirect administrative expenditures may not to exceed $6,521.75 for a $50K project.
Tips:
Compare your budget and work plan to ensure all expenses including human resources and materials required to deliver each activity are included. Expenses not clearly linked to activities may be removed (Government of Canada, 2022)
Administrative costs will not be approved where they are higher than funders celling (15-20% of the total funding requested from the Funder (Government of Canada, 2022).
Eligible expenditures are those considered necessary to support the purpose of the project and are costs incurred after the signature of the agreement. There are two types of eligible expenditures:
direct delivery expenditures: expenses related to the implementation of the project and easily traced to specific activities
administrative expenditures: expenses related to an organization’s ability to administer and support project activities
All budget costs must be rounded to the nearest dollar.
Financial contributions offset expenditures related to the project. Examples include, but are not limited to, funding provided by other levels of government and funding provided by private-sector organizations or foundations.
In-kind contributions are non-monetary goods or services provided instead of cash. For the project’s budget, a reasonable monetary value should be applied to in-kind contributions. Examples include, but are not limited to, staff and volunteer time, services, programs, office space and administrative services necessary for the proposed project that would otherwise have to be purchased. Organizations cannot request reimbursement for in-kind contributions (Government of Canada, 2022)
Assessment criteria
The budget effectively itemizes and details expenditures and demonstrates that these are reasonable (in other words, costs are aligned with regional standards and other related norms).
The budget demonstrates how project expenditures are directly linked to the activities as described in the work plan.
The budget includes the required resources to deliver the project or demonstrates that the organization has the capacity to deliver based on the listed in-kind contributions.
The total amount of administrative expenditures does not exceed 20% of the total funding requested from the Department.
The total amount requested from the Department does not exceed the allowable funding level based on the project reach.
Dear Educators, Community Development Practitioners and Social Workers,
I am pleased to inform you that we are developing an Open Educational Resource (OER) titled Community Development Practice: From Canadian and Global Perspectives. We invite you to contribute to this digital book to promote learning, social justice, and transformative community development practice worldwide.
Introduction: Community Development Practice is a resource book for students, social workers, and community leaders. The author and contributors have defined key concepts in this book and discussed theories, models, frameworks, and tools applied in community development practice in Canada and globally. The author used images, videos, and podcasts in each chapter to make this book purely digital, accessible, and interesting for readers. Academicians, practitioners, and community activists from Canada and worldwide have contributed to this book.
Timeline: Please email your work/contribution at mhasan@centennialcollege.caby *August 20, 2022 (*Deadline extended due to the requests from Contributors)
Topic(s) You may consider: – A Community Development Story/Case Study (approximately 1000 words) with relevant images/videos – A Chapter on Community Development Practice-Please contact me for details at mhasan@centennialcollege.ca.
Use of Image: You can share relevant images taken by you, or the photos do not have any copyright. Please provide a caption to each image to describe the message to the audience.
Why this initiative: The purpose of this #OER is to: -Promote participatory, human rights, and social justice-oriented community development practice -Provide students with a transformative learning experience – Reduce students’ costs and support them for success – To create learning and sharing opportunities for CD practitioners -To create an online and free, and accessible resource for learners and CD practitioners in Canada and across the world
Your benefit: – Your name/agency name will appear in this book as a “Contributor” and Chapter writer. – Each year at least 300 students of the Social Work/Social Service Worker program at Centennial College will read your contribution and engage in academic discussion. – Thousands of community development practitioners will review and use your resources in Canada and worldwide.
Quality Assurance and Process of finalizing your work/contribution: We will engage peer reviewers to review your work, request their feedback, and share it with you if needed.
The Community Development work program of Centennial College is designed in a way that truly makes our students social entrepreneurs and community leaders. Community development theories, practices, communications, project management, resource mobilization –all these knowledge areas are covered through this program. Recently, I had the opportunity to be part of this program facilitating a course titled “Business Essentials”. One of the major objectives of this course is to identify ways to promote entrepreneurship within the community development practice. While discussing Entrepreneurship, I have seen immense enthusiasm from students regarding the concept of social entrepreneurship. Some students want to become social entrepreneurs, and others would like to support community business ideas. I am very motivated by the ideas of my students and it has encouraged me to write this reflective article on my social entrepreneurship experience, especially my work with 2,000 poor and marginalized women of Bangladesh through the Grameen Bank model.
Social Entrepreneurship
Let me share how we have defined Social Entrepreneurship in our class. Social Entrepreneurship is an innovative and social value driven activity that can occur within or across the non-profit, business, or government sectors. According to the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, it is about applying practical, innovative and sustainable approaches to benefit society in general, with an emphasis on those who are marginalized and poor.
Social Entrepreneur
Who is a social entrepreneur? We have discussed in the class that a social entrepreneur is an individual, group, network, organization, or alliance of organizations that seeks sustainable and large-scale change. Social entrepreneurs drive social innovation and transformation in various fields including education, health, environment and enterprise development. While providing examples of social entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurs, I have provided the examples of Nobel Laureate, Muhammad Yunus and poor women of Bangladesh. I have shared their stories because of my role as an International Development worker. Most importantly, I encourage our students to establish their identity as global citizens through learning and sharing on international community development practices.
Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus & Grameen Bank
Grameen Bank provides poor people mainly women with small loans to start businesses and lift their families out of poverty. The microcredit has spread to every continent and benefited over 100 million families during last 30 years (Yunus Centre, 2016). The Grameen Bank is based on the voluntary formation of small groups of five people to provide mutual, morally binding group guarantees in lieu of the collateral required by conventional banks (Gramen Bank, 2016). The loan borrowers utilize their credits in paddy husking, lime-making, manufacturing such as pottery, weaving, and garment sewing, storage and marketing and transport services. Through this small businesses, women earned income and raised their status in family and community.
I would like to share a quote of Professor Yunus about his initiative Garmeen Bank and microcredit.
“… credit without collateral is a fundamental right of the poor. Our success with this in my own country has been widely replicated all over the world including in some of the richest countries; and the Nobel Peace Prize 2006 for Grameen Bank and myself is one recognition of that success” (Yunus Centre, 2016).
From Slum Dwellers to Entrepreneurs
In 1998, I started my social service work at ActionAid Bangladesh. This international agency used to work with poor and marginalized communities in Asia, Africa and Latin American countries through an integrated program approach. Income generation, adult literacy, primary health care, primary education and advocacy etc. were key program components in a long term project (5-to 10 years) of ActionAid. With an aim to help poor slum dwellers, Dhaka Urban project started in 1995 and adopted Grameen’s model of the microfinance program in order to organize poor women who were mostly confined with household work (lack of mobility/ community participation) and did not have opportunity to participate in income generating activities. When I joined ActionAid, I found 2,200 women were already registered with the microfinance program, and most of them engaged in business. A Community Organizer used to meet 4 to 5 groups of women (20 to 25 women) on a weekly basis, distribute loans, and collect repayment and savings. As a Program staff, I occasionally visited weekly group meetings, learned about their business schemes, their success and challenges. I was so pleased to see the transformation of these women entrepreneurs. I observed how confidently women were managing money and making decisions for their business, or investment, or purchasing property. I found on many occasions that the husbands were assisting their entrepreneurial wives as ‘helper’ which was quite uncommon in that social structure.
While conducting a mid- term review of the project in 1999, we came to know that over 25% of women entrepreneurs purchased land either on the periphery of the capital city Dhaka or in their villages. On the other hand, the women were very keen to send their children to the school which was a challenge for urban slum dwellers. Children of poor families often dropout from school before completing their grade Five. I also found that group members were mindful about their and family members health and they started seeking preventative, primary and curative healthcare services. This is a great example how access to and control over financial resources by women can contribute to the overall wellbeing of their family.
Social Entrepreneur to Community Leader
Most of the group members of the microcredit program were illiterate, and only a few women had primary education. As part of the integrated program approach, ActionAid organized adult literacy circles named Reflect (an innovative approach to adult learning and social change) for women. The program not only provided women basic literacy skills but also engaged them as a community to address various social issues such domestic violence, drug abuse and gambling.
In 2000, ActionAid had a change in their program delivery approach and they started withdrawing from direct operations and closing some programs. As part of a strategic shift in program, the senior management wanted to close the operation of the Dhaka Urban project where over 2,000 women entrepreneurs started to realize their dreams and their families were coming out from poverty. When the community organizers were informed of the project closure decision, the women members were very disappointed and they wanted to meet the Senior Management Team. During this time, there were tensions in the organization and the key project staff including project Head, program coordinator and finance manager left ActionAid. So, the responsibility came to me to deal with 2,000 members and the senior management of ActionAid and resolve the conflict.
As a note, I maintained a good relationship with both women group members and 20 community organisers and their supervisors. I always considered myself as ‘one of them’ and ‘part of the community’. The group members usually found me busy discussing community issues and bringing new programs. They used to find me in their slums providing support and solidarity during flood, fire or when there was a threat of eviction. In fact, my involvement with the community allowed me to build trust and relationships with them. I started listening to field staff and some women leaders and I communicated community concerns to the ActionAid senior management, with emphasis on the impact the sudden project closure would have on the lives of 2000 families and their businesses. At last, we organized a dialogue session with senior management in a large community space where 800 women participated. It was a great moment for me to obverse how the women leaders raised their voices and put up resistance when the agency did not listen to their concerns.
ActionAid provided education to groups of women based on Paolo Ferry‘s community education principles and Robert Chambers’ participatory development approach, but the agency did not realize t how much the community had become empowered. The women group provided two major demands: a) ActionAid should continue program at least for one more year, because sudden project closure will impact their business and their community, b) The microfinance program should not be closed, rather it should be handed over to a local and trusted agency where their savings would be safe and the program sustained . Due to the increased resistance from women entrepreneurs, ActionAid accepted their demands. The microfinance program still continues through a local partner called Assistance for Slum Dwellers and at present it has 2,600 members.
Conclusion
Centennial College is committed to transformative learning and it inspires students to become global citizens. I am so pleased to work with Centennial College. Here I have the opportunity to share my stories of working with various communities across the globe. I encourage students to share their experiences. All these learning approaches make our learning environment very inclusive, interesting, engaging and life oriented. Thank you Centennial College- you are truly a great education institution.
As an educator and passionate social worker, my goal is to work together with students for transformation and social change. To achieve this goal, my prime objective is to achieve students’ success by supporting and engaging them in critical thinking and transformative learning process. In doing so, I follow three approaches: firstly, recognize their own knowledge; secondly, engage them in dialogues, and thirdly, create an enabling and inspiring learning environment based on anti-oppressive and social justice principles. I have been teaching at the Community Services Department of Centennial College since 2013.
Teacher and students roles
My social work education and practice have a great influence on my teaching style. I critically reflect on my role and actions as an instructor and/or facilitator. I make it clear to the students that although I have certain roles and responsibilities to deliver the course, I am also a member of the learner community. I respect the lived knowledge of the students and encourage them to participate in dialogue to share their knowledge and experience. I strongly believe that “The teacher is no longer merely the one who teaches, but one who is himself taught in dialogue with the students, who in turn, while being taught also teaches” (Freire, 2005, p.80). Regarding education, Healy (2010) emphasizes the importance of respecting the lived experience of community members. He emphasizes that education should be holistic and transformative so that students can use their knowledge for their life and act for social change. As an educator, I value and promote these principles.
I always pursue my efforts to develop relationships with students based on the values of mutual respect, trust, and collaboration. Before the start of a course, I connect with students by posting welcoming notes on the online portal. During the inaugural class, along with students, I introduce myself and my interest and commitment to a collaborative learning environment. The Social Service Workers program includes a number of group projects and assignments. In this regard, I emphasize teamwork through establishing effective communications, role clarity, scheduling of tasks and creating a platform for sharing. I encourage students/groups to have an effective discussion and apply critical thinking on the issue or project by engaging their fellow group members. I encourage students to bring innovation and effectiveness in their assignment and project work.
The methods I employ when teaching
My teaching style is learner-centric. When preparing to deliver a module, I consider the diverse audiences and facilitate accordingly. Ferryman suggests that students learn and communicate in diverse ways (2011). Like Ferryman (2011), I am a fan of multiple learning styles called VARK which was developed by Neil Fleming in 1987. VARK stands for Visual (learning by seeing), Aural (auditory learner-learn by listening), Read/write and Kinaesthetic (tactile-learning by doing).
In my class, I use several instructional approaches in order to ensure that each student is engaged in the learning process. Discussion is generated through visual presentation and I use their words and phrases to summarize the discussion. I encourage them to think, analyze and work on the topic/assignment. In this regard, I often employ Flip-It exercises that provide students the opportunity to read, write, present and discuss with fellow students. This process of learning help learners to gain understanding about the topic and enhance their communication and presentation skills.
The role of technology in my classes
I enjoy both teaching in-classroom and online settings combining my passion for innovation and use of technology. The use of technology connects me better with my students through online discussions and Webinar; and creating and sharing online resources such as videos, blogs, news etc. I also engage my students with national and international subject matter experts on various live discussions through Skype.
Global citizenship and equity in my classes
Global citizenship and equity are cross-cutting themes for my teaching. I encourage the diversity of our students to share their stories. As an educator, I share my international experience and facilitate discussion on local and global social issues and movements. I facilitated a Faculty-Led International Program (FLIP) to connect students with international community and issues. I engage and support students to participate in class activities who are experiencing barriers/challenges due to their disability, sexual orientation, social and economic status. I emphasize human rights and social justice principles which create positive classroom environments and establish excellent working relationships between the students and facilitator.
Ferryman, C. (2011). The Communication Chameleon: How to Lead, Persuade and Influence in Any Conversation. Toronto: Rainmaker Books.
Friere, P. (2005). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc.
Healy, K. (2010). Community education. In A.O’Hara, Z.Weber, and K. Levine (Eds.) Skills for human service practice: Working with individuals, groups and communities, Toronto: Oxford University Press.
Napier, L. (2010). Practicing critical reflection. In A.O’Hara, Z.Weber, and K. Levine (Eds.) Skills for human service practice: Working with individuals, groups and communities, pp.1-11. Toronto: Oxford University Press.
Some testimonials from my students
Mede Obviagele, Graduate, Social Services Worker Program His commitment and determination to see students succeed is truly admirable…Professor Hasan never tested his students on what we could memorize. Rather, he encourages us to apply our knowledge and what we learned to real-life contexts. I have enjoyed Professor Hasan’s various teaching styles, and his regular use of examples from local and global perspectives regarding social issues affecting individuals, families, and communities.
Kazzrie Cormick, Graduate, Social Services Worker Program I found Hasan to have a very creative yet strong approach in his teaching style and he was able to keep the class’s attention at all times. Some of the approaches I found to be most beneficial in my learning were: 1. He always involved and engaged the class, 2. He would give real-life examples to break the text down to make it more understandable and this provided his students with a full understanding of what we were learning, 3. He would bring in guest speakers that worked in the field of study and they would provide us with further knowledge of our course, outside of the required material.
Tawhida H Ali, Graduate, Community Development Work Program Hasan supported and instructed group work and projects by ensuring each member was on task. He often used a project management approach, which I believe and feel is a wonderful way to teach task organization, time-management, and accountability skills. Dr. Hasan had a wonderful rapport with all the students in the class, creating an environment in which we felt empowered and creative. His support continues as he has always made himself available to his students. His eagerness to ensure the success of his students and his pleasant demeanor made it a comfortable and thriving class.
Ravindra Samson, Graduate, Social Services Worker Program Everything that was taught by Dr. Hasan became a real-life experience and I had a strong understanding and guideline on the necessities and resources to be effective at my placement agency. Putting into practice what he taught me in the Community Development course, I was able to successfully organize and implement a Civic Literacy Engagement Forum for members of the Malvern community, and a Youth Matters Forum for youth in Scarborough. I owe it to Dr. Hasan for inspiring me to go out into the community and stand by the members of society to fight for the betterment of their community.
Farzana Mahida, Graduate, Social Services Worker Program Students of the second semester of the SSW program attended Community Development, instructed by Professor Hasan. By far, this particular course was the most practical and relatable course in preparation for field placement as well as working in the field of Social Service Work. Being a recent graduate from the Social Service Worker program at Centennial College, I would like professors who have made a generous contribution and dedication towards my learning to inspire future students as well. Future students will benefit from having an educator like Professor Hasan.
Raymond Tarn, Graduate, Social Services Worker Program Dr. Hasan brought first-hand experiences that showed real-life implications to the courses we were learning. His passion to not only want to teach but want to also bring the best out of each and every single one of us. Dr. Hasan drove me to do better in my assignments and projects through his innovative and creative teaching style. Whether it was from Canada or Bangladesh he shared various aspects of global issues that created a better perspective on them which allowed for greater understanding. Dr. Hasan’s feedback inspired me outside the classroom to not only strive to improve in his classes but all my classes and field placement. This shows how much he cares for his student’s success as he wants his students to become the best they can. This not only created a teacher-student relationship but a mentor-mentee relationship.
Simona Rafaelova, Graduate, Social Services Worker Program The professor’s passion for the curriculum and creative –approach, shaped the dynamics of the classroom. Mr. Hasan was able to provide his personal experience as an example to further elaborate on the lesson which was a useful addition because to learn through text can be limiting but to have someone share their experience and discuss that gives another level of understanding. His attention never fell short to notice if students were not engaged, he is known for having the whole class clap their hands if they were getting tired which was simple yet effective and fun.
Jessica Ro, Graduate, Social Services Worker Program Dr. Hasan is a passionate individual for the community development and social service work field and has motivated me to strive for my goals within my professional and personal life. Dr. Hasan has consistently made his students success a priority and this was evident through his support not only as a teacher but a personal mentor as well. He made it clear that engagement with students and providing input and feedback on any project was important. He would often encourage students to do more such as, create videos for his future students and project ideas that would benefit us for our future.
In 2015, I won a fellowship from International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) for developing a curriculum unit titled “Community Organizing & Mobilization for Successful Civil Resistance”. I developed this curriculum unit to complement the course titled “Power and Social Movement” that I teach at Centennial College. ICNC fellowship inspired me to share my knowledge on civil resistance not only in a Canadian education institution but also with an indigenous community of Bangladesh who are struggling to secure their fundamental human rights.
Dr. Hasan, Ukil Murmu and Mikhael Soren at Martyr Monument of 1952 Language Movement. Bangladesh.
Background
Hasan while living with Santal Community during 2000-2002.
Centennial College is committed to transformative learning and it inspires students to become global citizens. I am so pleased to work with Centennial College. Here I have the opportunity to share my stories of working with various communities across the globe. I encourage students to share their experiences. All these learning approaches make our learning environment very inclusive, interesting, engaging and life oriented.
In 2000-02, I conducted a study with the Santal community, the second largest indigenous community of Bangladesh. While living with the community, I observed the struggles of this community. They often face discrimination in education and employment due to their indigenous identity. Most of the Santal community members are landless and the local dominant group and musclemen grabbed their ancestral land. You may see my publication at http://www.grontho.com/livelihoods-of-the-santals-contemporary-change-dynamics/
Social Action Project by the Students of Centennial College. Photo Source: SSW Facebook page.
During my study, I received tremendous support from the Santal youth and community members. I participated in various community events and rituals of the community. I observed their resistance against various forms of marginalization and discriminations. I shared these stories with my students at Centennial College and informed them that when the students would work with social action project assignments, at the same time I would organize a workshop on social movement and nonviolent strategy with an indigenous community in Bangladesh. In this regard, I had few telephone conversations with Mikhael Soren who is an indigenous community leader and works with youth for indigenous peoples’ rights in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. We jointly planned and delivered a workshop titled “Indigenous Community Rights and Social Movement: Rethinking Strategy for Community Education, Mobilization and Social Media” which was held on November 20, 2015. When the students organized gallery walk on Dec 02, 2015, I also shared with them about my learning and sharing experience with Santal Community on social movements and civil resistance. You may wath a video on the Social Action Projects organized by Centennial students at https://youtu.be/u36VTnK9M3M
Social Movement Workshop Report
Mikhael Soren facilitating a session on Social Movement
The daylong workshop was attended by total of 23 indigenous youth who were mostly students. The workshop was facilitated by Mikhael Soren and Himel Hasda, and I participated in the introductory session via phone from Canada. Mikhael sent me a workshop report in Bengali (click here to view). I am going to translate the key content of the report which has very important elements for understanding the challenges of indigenous people and how they are strategizing for social movements to realize their rights
Workshop Objectives
Identify problem and challenges faced by the indigenous communities living in the North-west part of Bangladesh
Discuss strategies for community organizing and education
Identify strategies for protesting against discrimination, land grabbing, violence and corruption
Discuss the importance and strategies for developing relationship with local community leaders, elected representatives and government officials
Discuss strategies for social media
Introduction of the Workshop Report
3 million people from 45 indigenous communities live in Bangladesh
Santal indigenous community mainly lives in the North-western parts of Bangladesh
Indigenous communities have their own youth, women and student associations
One of the major demands is that the State should recognize them as “ Indigenous People” not as “Ethnic Minority”
Indigenous people organize workshop, seminar, rally, human chain, demonstration etc. for their securing their ‘identity’ and ‘rights’. This workshop on “Indigenous Community Rights and Social Movement” is part of this process
High Lights of Dr. Hasan’s Speech
Hasan started discussion by acknowledging the support he had received from the Santal community during his M. Phil research (2000-2002). He is ever grateful to the community
He informed the participants that indigenous communities across the world have been facing some common challenges (identity, land, livelihood etc.)
He gave example of Idle No More campaign that was initially started by only four indigenous women of Canada in 2012 and now it has engaged over 100 thousands people in the movement. Idle No More campaign has been successful to raise voice and influence policy makers
Hasan emphasised on social movements by using nonviolent strategies and tactics in order to fight against discrimination and oppression
He emphasized on community education and mobilization, and relationship building with local leaders, elected representatives and government officials.
Hasan encouraged youth to study hard so that they can work in leadership and policy making roles and lead the country
Speech of Dr. Hasan (in Bangla) can be found at: (coming soon)
Key findings from the group presentations:
Problem & Challenges facing by the indigenous communities:
Hunger, unemployment, land grabbing by local musclemen, corruption by/lack of confidence on administration and extinct of indigenous culture
80% people depend on agriculture and most of them are agricultural labourers. But there is scarcity of water for irrigation in the Barind region As a result, people are becoming more unemployed/have lack of income which ultimately affect the livelihood and education of indigenous children and youth
Exploitation by micro credit agency in the name of poverty eradication
Conversion in Christianity giving the hope for employment
Harassing indigenous community people by doing false cases with the help of some corrupt officials
Strategy for addressing the above problems and securing their rights
Youth of Santal indigenous community preparing for their group presentation.
Indigenous communities to be organized and united against all forms of oppressions. For this, there is a need to be organized at grassroots, and inspire and engage students of school and colleges
In order to organize new generation, seminar, workshop and youth gathering need to be developed and delivered
The Kakonhat Students Association, the organizer of this workshop, must work towards organizing youth and indigenous people
The events such as workshops and seminars should take place on weekends – need financial support
Strategy for resistance against oppression (discrimination, violence, land grabbing and corruption)
Resolve conflicts within the indigenous communities, especially related to community leadership. The dominant groups take advantage of such conflict
Organize rally, submitting petitions to administrators
Use of electronic and social media as a tool for protest
Building relationships with local government, administration, local leaders
Although indigenous communities have relationships with local administration, elected representatives, NGO leaders and local community leaders, they often neglect indigenous people.
Indigenous people faces harassment by the above people.
Outcome and Evaluation of the workshop
The youth are very interested to connect with global community through social media and online tools.
Participants are very happy to see that indigenous community rights issues of Bangladesh are discussed in a Canadian education institution with a Bangladeshi -Canadian helping to organize this workshop
Indigenous community youth were very thrilled to participate in a teleconference with Dr. Hasan which was their first experience
Youth came to know about indigenous peoples’ rights movement of Canada (Idle No More) and its success stories
In future, youth prefer to have video conference system which requires to purchase hi speed internet modem
The workshops agenda were important but due to time constrains all topics were not discussed in detail.
Lack of workshop materials due to limited budget
Need for support in education and part –time employment for indigenous youth
Support the dropped out students through skill training
Financial and technical support to organize youth and indigenous community
Action Plan and Commitment from Dr. Hasan
Based on my conversation with indigenous youth and students, I have committed to arrange and offer the following support in 2016:
Share ideas and online resources, and provide financial support to organize a total of 6 events such as workshops, community meetings, rallies etc.
Help to purchase Hi speed internet modem for facilitating learning and sharing through video conference, online and social media tools
Provide financial support for two youth to receive training on photo and video editing
Provide technical support to develop website and social media platforms
Offer employment counselling to the youth, and connect them with local and national levels employers
Advocate with local, national and international development agencies to support indigenous community initiatives and create employment opportunities.
Connect international students, education institutions and non-profit organizations with the indigenous community initiatives of Bangladesh for promoting global citizenship, equity and social justice.
Let us show our solidarity and support to the social movements across the world.
Let us promote learning and sharing across the globe to fight against poverty and injustice.
Finally, I would like to THANK Mikhael Soren and youth of indigenous communities of Bangladesh for their passion for social justice and community development. My students were very impressed to see your initiative and learn a lot from your example.
Thank you readers for your time and solidarity!
Long March 2015 by indigenous people of Bangladesh for independent land commission. Photo source: Facebook
It has been a great honour for me to receive International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) fellowship award 2015 for developing a curriculum unit titled “Community Organizing & Mobilization for Successful Civil Resistance”. I have developed this curriculum unit to complement the course titled “Power and Social Movement” that I teach at Centennial College, Ontraio.
While working in Asia and North America for 15 years as an educator and social worker, I realized the importance of civil resistance to fight oppression, discrimination, corruption and autocracy. Social justice and human rights principles and values have been adopted in the mandates of both community and international organizations across the world. As a result, a large number of projects and campaigns were funded and executed to secure human rights, promote good governance, and to protect the rights of the marginalized people. Sadly, the campaigns and projects have not achieved the expected results. Lack of stakeholders and community participation, weak planning and execution of campaigns, lack of community engagement in decision making etc. were the major reasons for failing. While teaching Power and Social Movement, I have recognised that understanding the principles and methods of nonviolent civil resistance, tools and techniques for effective community organizing and mobilization, community journalism, and project management are important areas that social service and community workers should study. Today I am going to discuss on social movement and civil resistance and its importance for securing human rights, promoting democratic values and good governance.
Basic concepts of social movement, nonviolent conflict & civil resistance
Principles and characteristics of nonviolent civil resistance
Importance of social movements and civil resistance for promoting democracy and human rights
Social Movement
Social Movement is a powerful way for common people to successfully create positive social change, especially when the formal means of democratic political participation is not working and obstinate powerful elites prevail (Moyer et al., 2001). Moyer et al suggest that social movements promote participatory democracy and it raises expectations that people should be involved in the decision making process in all aspects of public life. Social Movements need to be nonviolent and must be based on universal values such as justice, democracy, civil and human rights, security and freedom.
Civil Resistance
Civil resistance is synonymous with nonviolent conflict/resistance which is usually organized by civil society to achieve a political objective. In nonviolent conflict or civil resistance, at least one party uses nonviolent action to resist oppression. Randle opines that “Civil resistance is a method of collective political struggles based on the insight that governments depend in the last analysis on the cooperation, or at least the compliance, of the majority of the population, and the loyalty of the military, police and civil service” (1994, p. 9).
Nonviolent strategy and tactics
According to Chenoweth and Stephan (2011), civil resistance usually understand as the form of mass protests in the streets, and nonviolent resistance is likely to take the form of stay-aways, sit-ins, occupations, economic boycotts. Civil resistance conducted inside a particular country may be combined with other forms of nonviolent actions. According to Randle, the goals of civil resistance can be reformist, such as the removal of a particular injustice, or the amendment of a particular law (1994).
Moyer et al. suggest that the practice of nonviolent conflict, following in the paths of Gandhi and King, provides social movements with the ideal opportunity because it is based on universal human values and principles –love, empathy, cooperation, and caring (2001). Since 1900, over one hundred major nonviolent movements took place across the world and its frequency and success has been increased over time. The average nonviolent campaign has over 200,000 members-about 150,000 more active participants than the average violent campaign. People tend to participate in nonviolent resistance as it has low risk and adjust with their job and daily life. During 2000 -2006, a number of violent and nonviolent movements took place across the world. Among these, only 12% violent movement were successful, on the other hand, 70% nonviolent civil resistance were successful (Chenoweth and Stephan, 2011). While mentioning the importance, Chenoweth and Stephan argue that:
“Nonviolent civil resistance works, both in terms of achieving campaigns strategic objectives and in terms of promoting the long-term well-being of the societies in which the campaigns have been waged. Violent insurgency, on the other hand, has a dismal record on both counts” (2011, p. 222).
Civil resistance has a great impact on the democratization and securing good governance. In this regard, Chenoweth and Stephan (2011) mentioned some instances and these are: sustained and systematic nonviolent resistance have removed autocratic regimes from power in Serbia (2000), Georgia (2003), and Ukraine (2004-2005), after rigged elections; and forced Nepal’s monarch to make major constitutional concessions (2006). In 2011, popular nonviolent uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt removed decades–old regimes from power. Chenoweth and Stephan argue that:
“…successful nonviolent resistance movements create much more durable and internally peaceful democracies than transitions provoked by violent insurgencies. On the whole, nonviolent resistance campaigns are more effective in getting results and, once they have succeeded, more likely to establish democratic regimes with lower probability of a relapse into civil war” (2011, p.10).
I hope the above academic discussion on nonviolent movement may create your interest to further study on civil resistance. You may visit ICNC website (https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/) for various resources.
Please share with us your ideas, thoughts and stories on nonviolent movement. Today I have shared my understanding on civil resistance from more academic point of views. In my future posts, I will share my stories!
Thank you for your time. Let us continue working together with our communities for a safer and peaceful world.
I always pursue my efforts to develop relationships with students based on the values of mutual respect
Dr. Hasan Mahbub 