In essence, community building is about placing human relationships at the core of our work. To unlock the powers of the human spirit, we have to go beyond an instrumental approach. People need to create the conditions that allow trust, hope, solidarity and unity to emerge.

The quality
of the relationships
defines the quality
of the outcome.

We use the workplace as a context for reshaping the world. It is through community building that a new work ethic will emerge, where people can see themselves as participants in reshaping the world. Through work, we are able to grow and develop ourselves. Work is a fundamental right for every human being and a means for prosperity. To us, work is not confined to paid employment. It includes all efforts and endeavours that are carried out to help others advance, including parenting and volunteer work. 

A community can not be built from the outside. It requires people within the organisation to take ownership of their own transformation.

By building capacities in individuals, the community and institutions, lasting change can be accomplished. Capacities are not just about being able to do something. It is also about the way we do it and the intentions inspiring it.

It may be helpful to think about a capacity as a combination of interrelated elements: insights and knowledge; skills & abilities; qualities and attitudes. When people build capacities individually and collectively, they can accomplish unimaginable things together. 

We have learned that there is no simple formula or roadmap for building a community. Each situation is unique. Our approach, therefore, is that of action-based learning that takes place in real life. Often, it starts with training, followed by immediate action to respond to pressing needs, while being accompanied or supported by others.

After each action, people reflect and generate insights and knowledge from their own experiences. In this way, action-based learning can liberate people from limiting thoughts and beliefs, opening a tremendous reservoir of volition and strength to be an agent of change. 

This methodology of action-based learning is used throughout all our programs in all settings, thus contributing to a growing body of knowledge based on real experience.