![Online Certificate Course on Community Development – [27th June – 26th July 2025]](https://justicegroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/community-development-logo.jpg)
Course Description
Community Development is a course that explores the theory and practice of building strong and sustainable communities. The course provides participants with an understanding of the importance of community development, and the strategies and tools needed to create positive change in communities.
Throughout the course, participants will explore the history and theories of community development, as well as contemporary issues and challenges facing communities today. They will examine the role of community organizers and development practitioners in promoting community development, and learn about effective strategies for community engagement and empowerment.
The course also covers practical skills such as project management, fundraising, and advocacy, which are critical for successful community development. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on projects and case studies, allowing them to apply theoretical concepts to real-world situations.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed a strong foundation in community development theory and practice, and will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to lead and support community development initiatives. This course is ideal for anyone interested in working in the non-profit sector, community organizing, or social change advocacy.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the history and theories of community development, including key concepts such as social capital, collective efficacy, and empowerment.
- Identify contemporary issues and challenges facing communities, and analyze the impacts of social, economic, and political factors on community development.
- Develop practical skills for community development, including project management, fundraising, and advocacy, and apply these skills to real-world situations.
- Evaluate the role of community organizers and development practitioners in promoting community development, and identify effective strategies for community engagement and empowerment.
- Analyze the impact of cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity on community development, and identify strategies for promoting inclusive and equitable community development practices.
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and apply these skills to address complex community development challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability.
Target Audience
The target audience for the Community Development course includes individuals who are interested in working in the non-profit sector, community organizing, or social change advocacy. This may include students pursuing degrees in fields such as social work, public policy, sociology, or community development, as well as professionals working in community-based organizations, government agencies, or philanthropic foundations. The course is also ideal for individuals who are interested in community leadership, activism, and social justice, and who want to gain a deeper understanding of the principles and practices of community development.
Technical Requirement
To participate in this online course, participants will need a reliable internet connection and a computer, laptop, or mobile device. The course will be hosted on Global Human Rights Leadership Training Institute platform, which participants will access using their web browser. The platform is compatible with most modern web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari. Additional technology requirements will be communicated to participants in advance if necessary.
Award of the Certificates
Participants, who successfully complete all course requirements, including assignments and assessments, will be awarded a certificate of completion in Community Development (CD). The certificate will highlight the skills and knowledge gained in the course, providing valuable recognition of the participant’s achievements.
Course Fee
The course fee for is US$300. Limited partial scholarships are available for participants developing countries who demonstrate financial need. Details on the partial scholarship application process will be provided upon registration.
Duration/Time Commitment
This course on Community Development (CD) is designed to be flexible for busy professionals. The course has duration of 50 hours, which can be completed over a period of four (4) weeks. Participants will have access to the course materials and assignments 24/7 and can complete the coursework at their own pace. Additionally, there is a possibility of an extension if required. This flexibility allows participants to balance their work and personal commitments while still benefiting from the course.
Application Procedure
Interested participants can register for this course by filling out an online application form at https://justicegroup.org/submit-your-application-form/ or request an application form from email: applications@justicegroup.org. The application deadline is 25th June 2025, while payment is due on 26th June 2025. Once accepted, participants will be provided with payment details, and payment must be made before the participant can start the course.
Further inquiries about the course may be sent to: applications@justicegroup.org OR global4learning@gmail.com.
Curriculum
- 12 Sections
- 113 Lessons
- 10 Weeks
- Course Overview4
- Module 1: Introduction to Community Development16
- 2.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 2.2Understanding Communitites30 Minutes
- 2.3Understanding Development30 Minutes
- 2.4Mobilisation30 Minutes
- 2.5Understanding the Concept of Community Development
- 2.6Key Elements of Community Development30 Minutes
- 2.7Community Development Process30 Minutes
- 2.8Engagement in Community Development Process30 Minutes
- 2.9Steps in Community Engagement30 Minutes
- 2.10Pitfalls in Community Engagement30 Minutes
- 2.11What Community Development is Not30 Minutes
- 2.12Strategies for Community Development30 Minutes
- 2.13Steps to Community Development30 Minutes
- 2.14Summary of key learning points
- 2.15Key takeaways
- 2.16Module 1 – Assignment
- Module 2: Participatory Tools for Community Development16
- 3.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 3.2Historical Overview of the Participatory Approach30 Minutes
- 3.3Understanding Participatory Methodology30 Minutes
- 3.4Time Series Analysis30 Minutes
- 3.5Seasonal Calendars30 Minutes
- 3.6Daily Routines Variation30 Minutes
- 3.7Brainstorming30 Minutes
- 3.8Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)30 Minutes
- 3.9Transect30 Minutes
- 3.10SWOT Analysis30 Minutes
- 3.11Social Mapping30 Minutes
- 3.12Participant Observation30 Minutes
- 3.13Focus Group Discussion30 Minutes
- 3.14Summary of key learning points
- 3.15Key takeaways
- 3.16Module 2 – Assignment
- Module 3: Volunteering in Community Development11
- 4.1Introduction
- 4.2Community Volunteer30 Minutes
- 4.3Why Defining Volunteering is Important30 Minutes
- 4.4The Significance of Volunteering to Community Development30 Minutes
- 4.5The Value of a Strategic Framework for Community Development30 Minutes
- 4.6The Main Approaches to Volunteering30 Minutes
- 4.7The Role of Community Volunteer in Community Development30 Minutes
- 4.8Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities30 Minutes
- 4.9Summary of key learning points
- 4.10Key takeaways
- 4.11Module 3 – Assignment
- Module 4: Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills in Community Development11
- 5.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 5.2Elements of Effective Communication30 Minutes
- 5.3Basic Communication Skills30 Minutes
- 5.4Presentation Skills30 Minutes
- 5.5The Key Elements of a Presentation30 Minutes
- 5.6Tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills30 Minutes
- 5.7Facilitation Skills30 Minutes
- 5.8Role Play30 Minutes
- 5.9Summary of key learning points
- 5.10Key takeaways
- 5.11Module 4 – Assignment
- Module 5: Community Mobilization for Action14
- 6.1Introduction
- 6.2Understanding Community Mobilization30 Minutes
- 6.3The Need for a Community Mobilization Approach30 Minutes
- 6.4Tasks Involved in Mobilizing Communities30 Minutes
- 6.5Strategies for Community Mobilization30 Minutes
- 6.6Community Dialogue30 Minutes
- 6.7How to Organise and Conduct a Community Dialogue Session30 Minutes
- 6.8The Importance of Community Dialogue30 Minutes
- 6.9Rallies and Road Shows30 Minutes
- 6.10How to organisation a rally or road show30 Minutes
- 6.11Market Storms30 Minutes
- 6.12Summary of key learning points
- 6.13Key takeaways
- 6.14Module 5 – Assignment
- Module 6: Communication Strategies for Community Development8
- 7.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 7.2Understanding the various theories for communications materials30 Minutes
- 7.3Types of communication strategies30 Minutes
- 7.4The different forms of communication materials30 Minutes
- 7.5Use of BCC tools and materials30 Minutes
- 7.6Summary of key learning points
- 7.7Key takeaways
- 7.8Module 6 – Assignment
- Module 7: Participatory Monitoring & Evaluation of Community Mobilization Programmes11
- 8.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 8.2Why monitoring and evaluation for community development30 Minutes
- 8.3Understanding participatory monitoring and evaluation30 Minutes
- 8.4The importance of participatory monitoring and evaluation in community development30 Minutes
- 8.5How to conduct participatory monitoring and evaluation30 Minutes
- 8.6Stages in the development and implementation of a PM&E process30 Minutes
- 8.7Community-level indicators in community development30 Minutes
- 8.8How to use community-level indicators30 Minutes
- 8.9Summary of key learning points
- 8.10Key takeaways
- 8.11Module 7 – Assignment
- Module 8: Community Organising and Development9
- 9.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 9.2The concept of community organizing30 Minutes
- 9.3The principles of community organizing30 Minutes
- 9.4Questions to consider in community organizing30 Minutes
- 9.5The basic rules of community organizing30 Minutes
- 9.6Defining an action strategy for community organizing30 Minutes
- 9.7Summary of key learning points
- 9.8Key takeaways
- 9.9Module 8 – Assignment
- Module 9: Advocacy Skills in Community Development9
- 10.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 10.2Understanding the concept of advocacy30 Minutes
- 10.3Types of advocacy activities in community development30 Minutes
- 10.4How to incorporate advocacy into community mobilization for development30 Minutes
- 10.5How to encourage advocacy30 Minutes
- 10.6The benefits of advocacy for community development30 Minutes
- 10.7Summary of key learning points
- 10.8Key takeaways
- 10.9Module 9 – Assignment
- Module 10: Community Action Planning8
- 11.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 11.2General principles of community action plans30 Minutes
- 11.3Steps in formulating a community action plan30 Minutes
- 11.4Considerations for completing a community action plan30 Minutes
- 11.5Applicability of a community action plan30 Minutes
- 11.6Summary of key learning points
- 11.7Key takeaways
- 11.8Module 10 – Assignment
- Module 11: Resource Mobilization/Fundraising for Community Development8
- 12.1Introduction30 Minutes
- 12.2Steps in successful resource mobilization30 Minutes
- 12.3Sources of resource mobilization30 Minutes
- 12.4Need for resource mobilization30 Minutes
- 12.5The importance of diversifying funding sources30 Minutes
- 12.6Summary of key learning points
- 12.7Key takeaways
- 12.8Module 11 – Assignment