What is the first step in community capacity-building?

The first step in community capacity-building is consciousness-raising. This process involves increasing awareness among community members about the issues they face, the resources available to them, and the potential for collective action. By fostering a deeper understanding of their circumstances, community members can identify their needs, strengths, and aspirations, which is crucial for effectively mobilizing resources and support for their initiatives.

Consciousness-raising enables individuals and groups to articulate their interests and challenges, setting the stage for further action and advocacy. It helps build a shared understanding within the community, fostering solidarity and collaboration, which are essential for subsequent steps in capacity-building.

Other strategies like self-assertion of individual and group interests, bootstrapping, and organizational development are important in the capacity-building process but typically follow the initial phase of raising awareness and fostering collective understanding. Without consciousness-raising, efforts in these areas might lack the necessary community engagement and direction.