This document discusses community development as both a process and a product. It is important to have a clear understanding of what we are trying to do in community development, why we are trying to do it, and how we think we are doing.
Community development requires accountability for our actions.
Evaluation is the means by which this happens. The act of carrying out an evaluation is an exercise in education and personal learning for those involved. It is an opportunity to build awareness about the group and its work in the community at-large. It signals to funders and key institutional interests, that the group is taking responsibility for its actions and it is an opportunity to educate them about the values and goals of the group. The focus of this document, is with the effectiveness of community development with a community group and the various partners and stakeholders with which it may be involved.