Concept and Process of "Community Empowerment and Networking Program

Abstract

Community Empowerment and Networking Program is an innovative approach to community development that seeks to optimize utilization of local resources and opportunities, without restriction to any specific sectors. The program was developed to effectively produce positive socioeconomic impact within target communities by maximizing synergistic effects from appropriate coordination of three functions of African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), namely Research and Development, Training and Extension, Information Network and Documentation. During the process of program development, exhaustive reference was made to experiences from various community development programs around the world. The program targets community groups which have common interest with regard to community development, poverty reduction, and improvement of livelihoods. The purpose of the program is "to empower target communities to take an initiative in community-driven development activities towards poverty reduction". The overall goal is "to improve the social and economic livelihoods of the target communities". If successful, the model will be expanded to embrace more regions in East Africa and elsewhere. The program was initiated in selected regions in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in March 2006. These are referred to as "Model Regions". The east side of Mt. Kenya including Embu, Mbeere and Tharaka districts is the model region in Kenya, while the model