Community Development
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Without community involvement, organizations like ACDI/VOCA do not have community buy-in, meaning that projects might not receive support at the community level. Regardless of the project design, ACDI/VOCA community-based programs help to identify and build strong leadership within a community and to train and educate residents. Citizen participation promotes dialogue between groups and enforces a democratic process of decision making. With these added benefits, citizens feel ownership and pride in their community and a sense of accomplishment.
ACDI/VOCA can not work alone. ACDI/VOCA not only partners with local citizens, but with the Bolivian Government, and with over 100 organizations and institutions in Bolivia to assure the success of community-based efforts.
Link to ACDI/VOCA Winter 2003 World Report - Building Communities through Community Involvement (*.pdf)
