This paper outlines the process the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) undertook to review five community Crown funded schemes and the results of the review. The review found that better outcomes for communities could be achieved from a community-led development approach. The paper describes this approach and how such a model might look. It concludes by identifying what this might mean at a general level for the Department.
The development of the new model has been informed by a review of international literature; a review of New Zealand evaluations and some site visits.
Our review of international literature suggests that where the outcomes sought through a funding programme are primarily about ‘community development’, adopting a community development approach to the design of the funding programme itself is beneficial.
This is supported by our understanding of community development practice in New Zealand – our case studies highlight the need for flexible, responsive and longerterm funding approaches that support community-led initiatives. Given that several government agencies are incorporating a community development approach into their policies, programmes and processes, opportunities exist for the Department to develop its community development role further.
Further, an investment approach is recommended – this would facilitate a strategic way of doing things, in which funding and other resources can be used in a planned and integrated way to support significant and enduring change, rather than isolated projects or activities. The various elements of the model are discussed. The high level changes are shown in the following diagram.
