Exploring Community Mobilization

Mercy Corps' commitment to helping people be the agents of their own change in a way that creates sustainable community development has led the agency to place an emphasis on encouraging 'community mobilization.'

Communities in which Mercy Corps works often have been disempowered for decades and involving community members in a way that gives them ownership over project planning, implementation and results pose significant challenges.

The goal of community mobilization programs is to foster stronger relationships between local governments, businesses, community members and non-governmental organizations which in turn increases participatory decision-making processes, expands inclusion of marginalized populations and more. The long-term benefit of successful programs is a better ability for the community to respond to disasters and crisis when they arise among other benefits.