This site will look much better in a standards compliant browser.
South Australian Government logo. Link to Government Ministers' web site. Department for Communities and Social Inclusion logo. Link to department web site.
In this section
Contacts

Community Connect

Last Updated 4/8/2011 4:54:12 PM

Level 4, 44 Pirie st
Adelaide SA 5000

Postal address:
GPO Box 292
Adelaide SA 5001

Phone: 08 8463 7430
Fax: 08 8226 7047
Email:
dfcCommunityConnect@dfc.sa.gov.au
 

Related topics
Links
Home » Community development » Building communities and organisations
The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) is now the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI). Families SA, including the child protection and family support functions, is now part of the new Department for Education and Child Development. Youth Justice remains with DCSI and the Department now includes  Multicultural SA, Northern Connections, Office for the Southern Suburbs, Office for Volunteers, Office for Women, Office for Youth and Social Inclusion. Contact details for these offices are available on the Contacts page.

The department is currently reviewing its online information and updates are in progress. Departmental information can still be found using the search function on this site. For more information about South Australian government services please visit www.sa.gov.au.

 

Community strengthening

Last Updated Jun 2010

What is community strengthening?

"Community strengthening is a sustained effort to increase involvement and partnership among members of a community to achieve common objectives. It involves local people, community organisations, government, business and philanthropic organisations working together to achieve agreed social, economic and environmental outcomes" (Department of Planning and Community Development 2007).

It works by listening to what local people believe could improve their community and sharing ideas about how these changes can happen.

Strong communities are inclusive. They embrace cultural diversity, have strong social networks between people, and have good facilities and infrastructure. Communities that encourage their citizens to participate in all areas of life- work, sport, recreation and culture; have a better quality of life and are healthier. Everyone benefits when communities are safe, resilient, vibrant and confident.

Why is it important?

Community strengthening helps to mobilise community skills, energy and resources and apply them in a way that achieves social change. It aims to create stronger social institutions, improved well-being and increased social and economic opportunities. A strong community is one that features:

  • A greater capacity to address social, economic and environmental issues.
  • Improved social cohesion and participation in community activities.
  • New opportunities for social, economic and environmental development.
  • New partnerships between community members, organisations and all tiers of government that lead to improved local delivery of government services.

What do I need to do?

  • Understand the strengths and needs of your community through community consultations, surveys and community profiles.
  • Harness the ability and willingness of community members to pitch in together, support bottom up initiatives and create local solutions. This can be done by building social networks, promoting local leadership, encouraging local ownership and control, and facilitating innovation, creativity and sustainability.

References

Starr G, Rogers, N & Hirte, C (2007). Indicators of community strength across South Australian local government areas. Department for Families and Communities, Adelaide.

Department of Planning and Community Development (online) (2007). Available: http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au

Links