Ever wondered what certain expressions mean?
If so, then this is for you!
Please find below our attempt to demystify some well known phrases or terminology. Some is our own interpretation and some have been gleaned from other sources.
Active citizenship
Refers to a concept in which members of communities play an active role, to a greater or lesser degree, in the functioning of those communities and in society as a whole. This can embrace a wide band of activeness ranging from voting in elections at national, local authority or community group levels, to being heavily involved in running a local group, being on local committees, or being a volunteer carer etc etc.
Best Value
Is the process by which Local Authorities are required to continually review their service provision and whether or not this is being provided in the best way giving best value for money. It includes whether or not they are meeting current needs or will be able to meet future needs.
( Source:- Community Development Exchange)
Community activist
Is someone who is active in a local community and its development. This would normally be through participation on a voluntary basis, and although this can sometimes be seen as being in a geographic community it can also be with a ‘community of interest’ ie People with Special Needs; the Elderly; Young People; Black & Minority Ethnic Groups etc etc.
Community capacity building
Is the term that refers to the development of the skills of individuals and community groups to help them self manage themselves, local activities and organisations, and as a result help the community self manage itself. It is sometimes also used to mean increasing the skills and numbers of local people able to help self manage local activities.
Community or communities
This can be either a ‘geographic community’ (a group of people living in one area) or a ‘community of interest’ (a group of people who share a common characteristic or identity, such as the elderly or black & ethnic minority communities).
Community development
Community development work is about supporting individuals, groups or organisations to build active and sustainable communities based on social justice and mutual respect. It is about changing power structures to remove barriers that prevent people for participating in the issues that affect their lives.
(Source: Standing Conference on Community Development and Community Development Exchange)
Community Learning and Development Action Plan
A joint work plan for a specific theme, local geographic area or community of interest agreed by the community learning and development partners as part of a Community Learning and Development Strategy. There are currently 3 action plans for the Falkirk CLD Strategy.
Community Learning and Development (C.L.D.)
Is learning and social development work with individuals and groups in their communities using a range of formal and informal methods. A common defining feature is that programmes and activities are developed in dialogue with communities and participants.
(Source: Working and Learning Together to Build Stronger Communities – Scottish Executive 2004)
Community Learning and Development Strategy
A statement that highlights the joint aims of community learning and development partners over a set period across a local authority area. In Falkirk it outlines the approach to meeting the C.L.D. needs of communities and reflects the priorities of the Strategic Community Plan.
Community planning
This is a strategic process whereby the public services in the area of the local authority are planned and provided after consultation and ongoing co-operation among all public bodies and with community bodies.
(Source: Working and Learning Together to Build Stronger Communities – Scottish Executive 2004)
Community regeneration
This is the process of tackling poverty, deprivation and social exclusion in a particular geographic area or within a particular group of people.
(Source: Working and Learning Together to Build Stronger Communities – Scottish Executive 2004)
Empowerment
Is a ‘process’ through which individuals, communities and community organisations are enabled to take more responsibility for, and more ownership of, the decisions and resources which impact on their lives.
It can also be seen as an end product whereby, as a result of ‘ processes ‘ such as training, capacity building etc, a group or individual may see themselves as having been empowered to take action on or participate in community issues.
HMIe
This abbreviation refers to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, which has the responsibility for inspecting, among other functions, the delivery of Community Learning and Development (also referred to as Community Education).
Local community planning
Local community planning is a way in which the members of local communities meet and work together with service deliverers such as Falkirk Council, Scottish Enterprise (Forth Valley) etc to draw up action plans to meet the needs of local communities and to help develop local communities. The action plan, or Local Community Plan, should be realistic and should identify how, when and by whom the actions will be carried out.
Outcomes and outputs
An Outcome is what we would like to achieve. An output is what is done to achieve an outcome e.g. an outcome would be “the improvement of community facilities” and the output would be “the building of a new community centre”.
Social capital
Social Capital refers to the pool of people, groups, knowledge, skills, networks and resources available in a community to help that community function and self manage. For example it could mean the number of volunteers; the number of community organisations; the number of skilled community activists etc. It can also include the community facilities in an area.
Social justice
Is seen as the equal and fair distribution of such social values as income and wealth, freedom and the opportunity to take part in society.
(Source: Working and Learning Together to Build Stronger Communities - Scottish Executive 2004)
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