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Community Economic Development

‘ubuntu’ - 'I Am Because We Are'

The UK & Community Economic Development

Developed economies have gained a lot of expertise in developing communities. They have

had to. In the latter half of the 20 century, developed economies like the UK had to tackle
th
long-term economic and social problems as once successful cities saw global changes

almost wiped out local industries.

Mistakes were made and lessons had to be learnt. Today we know that whilst large-
scale plans require a ‘top-level’ expertise long term success depends on ‘ground-level’

involvement, motivation to achieve change and a motivation that has the sort of depth that
ensures a ‘resilience’ that persists even when the results don’t seem to come.

The approach that gradually evolved within the UK regeneration projects involved

• outline agreement amongst national government and local authorities and their community
leaders

• initial ‘awareness’ programmes within the relevant local community

• using an existing building both as a ‘base’ for people who might lead the changes and also
as a ‘centre’ for a wide range of non-related community activities

(the idea being that having different groups of local people coming and going as they
used the ‘centre’ would help bring more and more diverse groups into contact with
each other and would help to reinforce a belief that ‘things can change’, ‘things are
changing’.)

• A formal period of information and consultation.
• The establishment of a ‘management’ in which local people play an active part

All of this could be adapted to developing specific African communities. Across much of

Sub-Saharan Africa people just want jobs. Jobs that provide a regular wage.

The rationale
• To create business & job opportunities for the local community
• To establish a credible Community Trust to start and manage projects that have the support
of the local community
• To create a legacy whereby the above becomes a normal part of ongoing community life

Methodology
• Initial Public Consultation
• Establishment of Community Management Trust (Local people from across all demographics)
• Agreement on Aims & Outcomes
• Public Consultation
• Agreement of Action Plan