United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
SUCCESS STORIES FROM WESTERN EUROPEAN AND OTHER STATES

Deventer Community Development Services

Location The Netherlands

Responsible organization Raster Foundation, Municipality of Deventer, citizens of Deventer

Description The Deventer Community Based Approach was developed by Raster Foundation, the umbrella organization of the Deventer Community development services. The Deventer Community Based approach stresses active community participation. It is a structured and systematic approach of community management and development and has a cyclical character. The model aims to stimulate community members in bringing local problems to the notice of the authorities and to elicit popular support for possible solutions.
The model is as follows:

Problems identified through consultation by means of panels and research activities. The outcome is laid down in a plan of action;

Solutions suggested by community members are discussed and selected at several community meetings.
The deliberate process is laid down in a district plan, utilizing the community members' individual potential, the district budget and existing resources. Implementation is undertaken by a task group of community members and representatives of different bodies and agencies. This community based approach is a continuous process which progresses at an organic pace. As the district plan is an ongoing endeavour it remains open-ended and continually renews itself.
Issues addressed Community participation and decentralization of Government.

Objectives To involve citizens in the work programme of the local government through community participation.

Results achieved A continuous programme, with the inputs of citizens in monitoring the performance of the Municipality

Lessons learned Partnership between citizen groups and Government are beneficial to both sides. Government should be run with a view to the bottom line.

Contact Raster Foundation
c/o Ms. Monique Peltenburg
The Institute of Housing Studies
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Fax: + 31 10/404 5671

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Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
Last updated 1 November 1997

	Deventer Community Development Services
	Location	The Netherlands
	Responsible organization	Raster Foundation, Municipality of Deventer, citizens of Deventer
	Description	The Deventer Community Based Approach was developed by Raster Foundation, the umbrella organization of the Deventer Community development services. The Deventer Community Based approach stresses active community participation. It is a structured and systematic approach of community management and development and has a cyclical character. The model aims to stimulate community members in bringing local problems to the notice of the authorities and to elicit popular support for possible solutions. The model is as follows: Problems identified through consultation by means of panels and research activities. The outcome is laid down in a plan of action; Solutions suggested by community members are discussed and selected at several community meetings. The deliberate process is laid down in a district plan, utilizing the community members' individual potential, the district budget and existing resources. Implementation is undertaken by a task group of community members and representatives of different bodies and agencies. This community based approach is a continuous process which progresses at an organic pace. As the district plan is an ongoing endeavour it remains open-ended and continually renews itself.
	Issues addressed	Community participation and decentralization of Government.
	Objectives	To involve citizens in the work programme of the local government through community participation.
	Results achieved	A continuous programme, with the inputs of citizens in monitoring the performance of the Municipality
	Lessons learned	Partnership between citizen groups and Government are beneficial to both sides. Government should be run with a view to the bottom line.
	Contact	Raster Foundation c/o Ms. Monique Peltenburg The Institute of Housing Studies Rotterdam, Netherlands Fax: + 31 10/404 5671