Community Development Model

Development Model for West Virginia
Adopted by the Community Development Gathering – August 31, 2006

Narrative Explanation of Development Model

The model describes the process local communities tend to go through as they address community and economic development. The model can be seen as a “theory of change” diagram or “change model”. The basic theory of change described by the model can be stated as:

If a local steering team, representing a defined community develops sufficient capacity, Then, the group will be better able to successfully implement local plans to improve local conditions.

The process is not necessarily linear. The activities related to visioning, planning, and capacity building may be taking place simultaneously or in different sequences. The process described in the “Development Model” begins with a group of individuals, agencies, and/or organizations designated as a “local steering team” - such a group may have many different configurations and multiple groups may be working within a given geographic area.

Key steps in the process include:

Local Steering Team engages local citizens and coordinates a visioning process on behalf of the local community to identify a future desired state for their community. The visioning process should take into consideration state and federal priorities in order to maximize opportunities.

A Community Coach is accessed to assist the Local Steering Team in planning and capacity building. With assistance from a qualified Community Coach:

Local Steering Team coordinates an assessment of local capacity using a standardized tool (to be developed) that measures capacity within five domains.

Local Steering Team develops a plan to improve the local community

Local Steering Team reviews assessment results and determines what additional capacity will be needed to implement plan.

Local capacity is developed based on assessed needs. Capacity may be developed in areas of leadership, local organizations, social capital, and/or internal and external resources (including financing).

Local plan is implemented.

Community conditions are improved.

Results of plan implementation are evaluated.

Local Steering Team learns from evaluation of process and results.

Plan may be revised based on evaluation of implementation.

Capacity is re-assessed based on evaluation.

Additional capacity is developed as necessary and new or revised plans are implemented.

Note: The described process is repeated periodically as may be necessary to improve local plans and build additional capacity for sustainable community development.