Core Values & Principles of
Community-Action Initiatives
Data-informed overview with simple
language
MELC & Core Value
• MELC: Assess selected community-action
initiatives based on their core values and
principles (HUMSS_CSC12IIdg-11).
• Core Value: Hope — the belief that change is
possible, which motivates participation and
sustained action.
What are Community-Action
Initiatives?
• Collective efforts by residents, youth, groups,
and organizations to reach shared goals.
• Built on engagement, solidarity, and
citizenship — people help plan, decide, and
act together.
• describes community engagement as building
relationships so stakeholders can work
together to improve well‑being and achieve
positive, sustainable outcomes (2020).
Human Rights–Based Approach
(HRBA)
• Guiding principles: universality & indivisibility
of rights; equality & non‑discrimination;
participation; accountability (UN SDG portal).
• OHCHR: integrate participation,
equality/non‑discrimination, and
accountability in all stages of programs.
Core Principles (Simple)
• Human Rights — protect dignity, freedom, and
equal treatment for all.
• Social Justice/Equity — fair access to
opportunities and services; remove barriers
faced by marginalized groups.
• Empowerment & Advocacy — build people’s
skills, voice, and power to influence decisions.
• Participatory Development — community
members help assess needs, plan, budget,
implement, and evaluate.
What Does the Evidence Say?
• Health: WHO and recent studies link
community engagement with more
responsive, equitable, and resilient health
systems.
• Development: World Bank’s
Community‑Driven/Local Development shows
gains in infrastructure, service delivery, and
participation when transparency and capacity
are present.
• Caution: CDD is not a substitute for a capable
Short‑Term vs Long‑Term Projects
• Short‑Term (days–weeks): clean‑up drives;
vaccination info sessions; donation campaigns;
voter‑education booths.
• Long‑Term (months–years): youth literacy &
tutoring; livelihood & skills training; watershed
protection; community safety & transport
planning.
• Either approach can be conciliatory (bridge
groups) or confrontational (advocate for
reforms) — choose based on needs and rights.
Role of the Youth
• Co‑create solutions with adults and officials;
model inclusive leadership.
• Lead peer education and digital advocacy;
document community data (surveys,
mapping).
• Champion gender equality and
anti‑ discrimination; ensure diverse youth
voices (girls, LGBTQ+, IPs, PWDs).
How to Assess an Initiative
• Relevance: Does it address priority needs
identified by the community?
• Participation & Power‑Sharing: Which ‘rung’
are you on? Who decides budgets and rules?
• Equity & Inclusion: Who benefits? Are
marginalized groups involved and safe to
speak?
• Accountability & Transparency: Public plans,
budgets, feedback, grievance redress?
• Results & Learning: Clear outcomes, evidence
Levels of Participation (Arnstein’s
Ladder)
• 8 rungs grouped into: Non‑participation
(Manipulation, Therapy), Tokenism (Informing,
Consultation, Placation), and Citizen Power
(Partnership, Delegated Power, Citizen
Control).
• Goal: move upward—toward partnership and
citizen control—so people share real power in
decisions.
Useful Indicators (What to
Measure)
• Inputs/Process: of meetings participants from
marginalized groups share of women/youth in leadership.
• Outputs: facilities built trainings held policies drafted;
services delivered.
• Outcomes: service uptake; satisfaction; reduced travel
time cost school attendance income changes.
• Equity: disaggregated results by sex, age, disability,
location.
• Accountability: resolution of complaints, publication of
budgets and reports.
Common Risks & How to Avoid
Them
• Tokenism: move beyond ‘informing’—create
real decision points for citizens.
• Elite capture: set transparent rules, rotate
leadership, disclose budgets.
• Exclusion: schedule inclusive meetings;
provide childcare, transport, accessible
venues.
• Sustainability: plan for maintenance, local
capacity, and institutional support.
Quick Case Patterns (What Works)
• Transparent community budgeting + social
audit increases trust and project completion.
• Women’s groups co‑managing water points
improves uptime and safety.
• Youth‑led reading camps boost early grade
literacy when paired with teacher support.
References (Selected)
• WHO (2020). Community engagement: a
health promotion guide.
• WHO (2024). Community engagement in WHO
guideline development (BMJ GH).
• UNSDG. Human Rights‑Based Approach:
universality, equality, participation,
accountability.
• OHCHR. A Human Rights‑Based Approach to
Health (Info Sheet).
• World Bank. Community‑ and Local‑Driven
