Community participation is the process of enabling people to take responsibility for their health and wellbeing. It builds capacity and promotes social cohesion.

Although many studies have been conducted, there is a need for more robust program evaluations and studies that measure and report long-term outcomes. This systematic review aims to explore the evidence on outcomes of community participation in high and upper-middle income countries.

Social capital

Social capital can be defined as the relationships and associations between individuals that provide them with access to social, economic or cultural resources. These are often embodied in forms such as trust, reciprocity, norms or common rules, and connectedness.

Historically, the success or failure of community interventions has been linked to changes in social capital and can be an important part of a successful participatory process. However, the structure of social capital is also influenced by historical factors such as socioeconomic status and the size of networks.

Social capital can be positive or negative, depending on its source, form and consequences. For example, it can create a sense of belonging to a community that promotes personal responsibility and a feeling of social obligation. But it can also be detrimental to an individual or a group, such as when it encourages conformity and excludes non-members from benefits.

Participation in decision-making

Participation in decision-making is a process through which individuals or groups can provide input to a problem-solving, policy-making or other social decision. It can occur in any realm of human social activity, including economic (participatory economics), political (parpolity or participatory democracy), management (participative management), cultural (polyculturalism) or familial (feminism).

Community participation is a key part of building a strong and resilient community. It builds trust, promotes social inclusion and fosters fair development through increased access to information, education and awareness-raising.

It also provides free consultation, bringing technical expertise, specific knowledge of the effects of decisions and local experience to the table. Additionally, it increases mutual understanding as the public and decision makers share their views.

Organizing a form of ndis community participation that aligns with the university’s identity is crucial for strengthening and improving the quality of decisions. For instance, many universities have representative advisory councils that bring together students and staff to discuss important issues and offer solutions. These councils are elected democratically and receive professional training over the course of an administrative year.

Trust

Trust is a key component of building community. To build trust in your online community, it’s important to show that you care about the people who are part of your community.

This means not only communicating and listening to your members but also giving them the opportunity to be heard. Having a voice in the decision-making process can make people feel like they have more agency over their own lives, which in turn leads to empowerment.

Community participation is an important part of health and development programs. It’s a way to engage citizens and provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to be empowered to improve their own lives and communities. It also helps to build relationships between communities and institutions that have a common goal, such as a hospital or a government office.

Empowerment

Empowerment is a process that helps people gain more control over their lives. It can be achieved through a variety of methods, such as training and advocacy.

The goal of empowerment is to promote self-efficacy and essential value in individuals, enhancing their ability to overcome challenges and improve their quality of life (Cattaneo & Chapman, 2010). It also involves improving the quality of social relationships and the environment.

A community can be empowered by increasing its awareness of its capacity for action and by working together to influence structures and policies that affect its members’ experiences. Such actions may include partnerships between community leaders and members to develop initiatives that foster inclusion, equality, and community-led social change (Fawcett et al., 1994).

Leaders can create empowering environments for their employees by being attuned to what they are doing and by not imposing unnecessary obstacles. For example, they can encourage employees to participate in big-picture discussions about achieving goals and setting new ones. They can also ensure that the tools they use are functional and support their work.