Why It Is Important To Strengthen Communities
Strong communities are made up of people who work together to support one another. They work together in order to improve their locality by choosing small businesses that best meet their needs. Community members may also help one another in need of home care, lawn maintenance, daycare, or after-school programs. Strong communities can also help people connect to other communities. Here are some of the many benefits of strong communities.
Building a strong, connected community
A strong community can bring many benefits. Community members are the people who will help you achieve your goals. They will introduce you to new people, share challenges, and offer valuable experiences. These benefits make community building important. These are just a few reasons why community building is so important. 1. People are happier together
Take a stand against oppression
Oppression is the result of social and economic inequalities and injustices that are experienced by certain groups. Often the result of systemic structures of domination and subordination, oppression can deny individuals and groups the right to live, work, and participate in culture. It can also impact a person’s ability access the resources they need to achieve their goals. In other words: oppression is detrimental to both the individual as well as the community.
Unanimity towards a common goal
Tim Hartnett, author Consensus Oriented Decision Making, argues that unanimity can be necessary to build a strong community. Participants must trust and value each other in order to reach consensus. This requires a lot of time spent on group processes. These requirements are not met by many intentional communities. They choose to reach consensus with unanimity.
Connections to other communities
Strong community connections are crucial for individual well being and promote healthy living. A strong social network allows individuals access to resources, exchange ideas, as well as vital services. These connections also facilitate the development of community-led social enterprises. You can create spaces for discussion and encourage interaction among members to build a stronger community. Then, leverage thought leaders and other community experts. In order to promote exclusivity and community connection, it is a good idea to invite guest speakers to your events. Also, highlight members’ best work by showcasing monthly member spotlights.
Participation by community members
Participation of community members can make a huge difference in the communities they live. Not only can it provide a sense of belonging, it can also help them provide resources and services that are needed in the community. Participation in community activities can allow community members to offer suggestions for improving the area. Community members will feel more involved in the overall health and well-being of the community.
Financial resources
In Asian countries, the lack of access to finance hampers community development processes. Traditional formal finance systems do not meet the needs of low-income households and thus exacerbate their vulnerabilities. To address this problem, the Asian Coalition for Community Action (ACCA) programme has developed financial mechanisms to link people and communities. The programme provides seed money for community development funds (CDFs), which pool resources at all levels of government, including the city and provincial levels, to implement ambitious projects.
