COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH: THE CIUDAD RENACE EXPERIENCE

Abstract

For several decades, community interventions have promoted community development with strategies that involve capacity building, advocacy, social change and empowerment. Although community interventions are intended to improve social and economic inequalities, there is still a need to evaluate the results of Participatory Action Research (PAR). PAR approaches have proven to be a useful tool for addressing and identifying community issues and strengths, while encouraging community members to action. The PAR approach described in this case study on Ciudad Renace with the Concerns Report Method (CRM) provides a process that allows the community to jointly identify its main problems, organize and take action. The findings suggest multiple activities and outcomes in areas such as environmental pollution, social services and education. Participatory methodologies such as CRM provide opportunities for community members to become involved in finding their own problems and addressing their needs. Implications for community psychology research and practice are discussed.