Assessing and strengthening the sustainablity of community development organizations

Sustainable development requires strengthening the capacity of community groups and organisations. This issue of World Neighbours in Action focuses on assessing and strengthening the sustainability of community development organisations. It describes a series of tools and methods designed to help members of such organisations assess and strengthen their ability to be effective, responsive and sustainable. The guided self-assessment process helps organisations identify at what development state they are at currently, and what actions they can take to evolve. It helps participants to diagnose and prioritise their organisation's strengths and weaknesses, develop locally appropriate indicators for continuing to measure capacities, and identify concrete actions that will help the organisation to mature. The article presents three exercises designed to help participants examine the issues their organisation is facing with regard to long-term viability. These are a sustainability assessment, transfer of responsibilities and threats to sustainability. The article concludes that while capacity building and change can be externally stimulated, the driving force must come from within the organisation.