These are the foundations of community development. The goal is to help change. Dialogue is an essential tool. Cooperation is the way forward. Among other things, we discussed these notions using the world caffe method in the second training organized on 20-22 August organized within the Acting Rural Communities – ProActive Rural project.
This time, the community development teams in the rural communities got acquainted with a number of methods of community involvement. The community interviews have already been tried by them, but there was talk about what to do with that information gathered in this way. They tried to coordinate the first community meeting live. There was talk about how the values, problems and opportunities of a community are outlined. They were offered inclusive ways to “talk” to as many members of the community as possible, to do common things, and to organize people with them.
We also learned from the experts of the Community Developers Association (KÖFE, Hungary) how to have a community dialogue using dominoes. But also, taking steps following simple questions, we modeled the internal division of communities on the basis of different community roles. It was very clear who has the opportunity to have a say in community issues and who does not have that opportunity. We talked about methods by which we can involve those from disadvantaged groups.
We got acquainted with a fifteen-year community development process at the micro-region level that takes place in the northern area of Abaúj-Zemplén (Hungary), as well as with the method / event of community involvement called Abathon, which took place in the micro-region a week ago.
We had an interesting weekend, which recharged us, inspired us, and the teams returned home with new homework related to community development.
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