Community Futures Workshop

A Community Futures Workshops programme is a community development process designed to identify a common vision which leads to local economic and social action. The process is based on a series of five Community Futures Workshops, which aim to initiate and focus local development.

The workshop process is based on the following key principles; • local development should be community-led involving all community stakeholders (residents, local businesses, local authorities, voluntary organisations, etc) • a common understanding of the nature of a community and its problems will lead to a common vision which will lead to a common purpose • there should be equality of partnership between stakeholders • discussion should lead to practical plans for action • local development should embrace, connect and tackle social, economic and environmental issues

The programme involves holding five workshops over several months with a mixed group of 30-40 community stakeholders. Stakeholders are individuals and organisations who have a particular interest in improving the community and the quality of life of its residents. Workshops are usually held at 2-3 week intervals and encourage participation from everyone attending. Much of the work is done between meetings or within small groups of 8-10 people.

The workshops have been designed to build up a community profile; identify needs and problems; identify opportunities and resources; design an action plan for local community and economic development. The Community Futures Workshops use a facilitator to help the process along and to co-ordinate the discussion.

Source

Community Economic Profiling, CEPCESA; published by CBS Network, 1998