communitybuilders.nsw: Understand Your Community: Strengthening Rural Communities Resource Kit

Text Only Version

Full graphics version

	Identifying needs and strengths
	Using statistics and data

Home > Understand Your Community > Identifying Needs and Strengths >

Strengthening Rural Communities Resource Kit

The Resource Kit is designed as a manual to assist in planning and undertaking a process of community renewal. It functions as a toolkit and reference manual for information about community sustainability and resilience, especially in rural and regional communities.

This package has been designed to support rural communities involved in managing change. The package is comprised of a theoretical framework, a how-to guide, community tools, templates and spreadsheets.

The theoretical framework and a detailed rationale of each step along the way provide an essential reference guide for rural communities about to embark on building capacity and renewal

The practical application of the concepts is presented in a user- friendly format. Communities are guided through each step of the process in assessing their levels of sustainability and making decisions about their future.

Who is the package for?

The package can be used by local organisations and community groups wanting to investigate the long-term sustainability of their community. It is recommended that a local action group be formed to guide the processes of community auditing that underpin the package.

What will it produce?

The package allows communities to work through a structured process of investigating their community, through the eyes of sustainability. At the end of the process, residents will have come to a deeper understanding about the community's strengths and vulnerabilities. They will have identified the key actions and priorities that are going to make a difference to the long term viability of the community as a whole. The final production of a Community Profile acts as the community's blueprint for the future.

The resource kit is in three parts

Part 1 contains the background and theoretical context for the package. The theoretical basis of the project and a detailed rationale of each step along the way provide an essential reference guide for rural communities about to embark on building capacity and renewal. Users are encouraged to read through this section prior to using the tools.
Part 2 contains the tools and templates, with step-by-step instructions and support materials.
Part 3 contains a comprehensive reference list for those interested in issues around community renewal, Word document templates for the tools and Excel files which can be used to collate the information arising from the surveys

All individuals, organisations and agencies that use the Resource Kit are encouraged to contribute ideas and suggestions for improvements or supplements to ensure this becomes and remains a major resource document.

Unless otherwise indicated, the following files are in PDF format

The resource kit can be downloaded as one large zip file (2mb) or you can download each section separately below.

Download the Strengthening Strengthening Rural Communities Resource Kit (zip - 2mb)