Capitalising on Local Knowledge - Community knowledge exchange

Taking ideas further

Further reading

Taking ideas further

This section focuses on the next steps, the development of local initiatives and the integration of the processes into the larger frame activities in the area or country. Community exchange process will stimulate community driven developmental processes, which must be nurtured and supported in appropriate ways if they are to make a long term, positive impact on people’s lives.

After the initial C2C process a range of different initiatives, of different magnitude, might need to be supported. Some might be better off left to the enthusiasts in the community who are willing and able to drive them. Others may require a more complex the project cycle, especially if they are initiatives for the benefit of a larger group in the community and if they will require external resources to get them off the ground.

This Toolkit does not address the complex issues of project planning, and there are other written resources available for this. However, the development practitioner should be aware that the follow-up work can be very taxing. If the exchange visit has been successful, and if attractive materials can be developed on the basis of the visit, this is a good moment to approach a possible donor or financing institution for funds.

It is not a good idea to let the ideas and plans that have emerged from the exchange visit to languish for months while you look for funds: keep the momentum up, and encourage the community members to take the initiative to do what they can within the limits of their own resources. These are often the most sustainable initiatives of all!

The Vroue Liga (Women's League) has started a Community Based Tourism enterprise (Suid Bokkeveld, South Africa)

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Further reading

Alders, C., Haverkort, B., & Van Veldhuizen, L. (1993). Linking with Farmers - Networking for Low-External-Input and Sustainable Agriculture. London: Intermediate Technology Publications.

Beilin, R., & Boxelaar, L. (2001). Rethinking action research: Theory and extension practice: Proceedings: Third Australasia Pacific Extension Conference- Australasia Pacific Extension Network.

Chambers, R. (1983). Rural development: putting the last first. London: Longmans. Chambers, R. (1983). Rural development: putting the last first. London: Longmans. Chambers, R., Pacey, A. &

Thrupp, L-A. (1989). Farmer First: Farmer Innovation and Agricultural Research. London: Intermediate Technology Publications.

David, A., & War, V. (2003). Community Contact - how communties can plan and conduct exchange visits and study tours. Windhoek: DRFN.

Environmental Monitoring Group (2001). Full Circle - Community Exchange and Training Programme (Video, 14 minutes). Cape Town: EMG.

Environmental Monitoring Group (2002). Ways of being with Planet Earth in four proverbs (Video/ DVD, 20 minutes). Cape Town: EMG.

German, D., Gohl, E., & Schwarz, B. (1995). Participatory Impact Monitoring. Braunschweig: GATE/ GTZ.

Hounkonnou, D. (2001). Listen to the Cradle: Building from Local Dymanics for African Renaissance. Wageningen.

Kemmis, S., & McTaggart, R. (2000). Participatory Action Research. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of Qualitative Research. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: SAGE publications.

Kruger, E. (1997). Farmer to Farmer- a story of innovation and solidarity. Pietermaritzburg: Farmer Support Group.

Lockwood, J. A. (1999). Agriculture and Biodiversity: Finding our place in this world. Agriculture and Human Values, 16, 365-379.

Oettle, N. (2002). Everybody’s Cup of Tea - Community Action and Rooibos Tea. Cape Town: Environmental Monitoring Group.

Pretty, J. N., Guijt, I., Thompson, J., & Scoones, I. (1995). A Trainer’s Guide for Participatory Learning and Action. London: IIED.

Randel, M., & Lacy, L. (2003). Learning in Teams: Learning to work together and reflect together. Avocado working paper Series, 2/2003. Durban: OLIVE OD&T.

Scoones, I., & Thompson, J. (1994). Beyond Farmer First - Rural People’s knowledge, agricultural research and extension practice. London: Intermediate Technology Publications.

Thaw, D. (2003). Forming teams: choosing and forming teams in an organisation. Ideas for a Change, Part 11. Durban: OLIVE OD&T.