Characteristics of Community-Led
Thank you for taking the time to share your views about what it means to be community-led. At the end of the survey, you will be invited to sign-up if you would like to receive updates on this research.

Over the past year, 67 community leaders in six different parts of the world were interviewed and asked what it means to be community-led. After reviewing these interviews, we identified nearly sixty characteristics of a community-led initiative. This survey seeks to gather additional feedback on the characteristics these community leaders associated with community-led.

Specifically, to be considered community led, we would like to ask you to indicate how important you think it is for an initiative to have each of the characteristics identified.

To make this survey more manageable, the characteristics are sorted into four categories, though some could easily fit into more than one category. The categories include characteristics relating to: (1) structure and leadership, (2) work processes, (3) principles and values, and (4) perceptions.

This survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
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Part I. How community-led initiatives are structured & led
The first two series of characteristics relate to the structure and leadership of a community-led initiative.
STRUCTURE & LEADERSHIP (1 of 2): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
Leader is a community member (leader has "lived experience" of the issues)
The community makes decisions about its work and/or organization
Outsiders can provide resources but ideas to pursue and decisions come from the community
Community members are co-investors (i.e. contribute their own funds, time, and/or other resources)
Community members feel a sense of ownership (that the work, organization, outcomes belong to them)
Membership is identity-based (the group or network represents a part of the population that shares a common identity, belief, experience, etc.)
Clear selection
STRUCTURE & LEADERSHIP (2 of 2): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
The initiative works within and is focused on people in a specific geography and/or is proximate to the community (place based)
A membership-based structure
The community is invited to co-create with the organization or group (collective effort)
Community members share responsibility for projects and outcomes
The initiative or organization is NOT registered with a government body or agency
Clear selection
Part II. How community-led initiatives work.
The next three sets of characteristics relate to the way these initiatives conduct their work.
WORK PROCESSES (1 of 3): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
Community members manage and carry out the work and/or are the main staff of the organization
Structure (i.e., governing board, leadership representation) and processes (regular meetings, etc.) exist but are flexible and informal
Clear understanding about the roles and responsibilities of staff and/or members
Extensive community engagement (i.e., in all phases, on an on-going basis)
Empower people and build their confidence as they do the work themselves (e.g., getting involved and having this experience in the first place may be more important than the activities)
Focus on leveraging community resources
Practical (solutions reflect the needs & perspectives of the community)
Clear selection
WORK PROCESSES (2 of 3): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
The IDEA for change originates in the community (local people/orgs/gov't/NPOs)
The MOTIVATION to change comes from the community (local people/orgs/government/NPOs)
Work is based on shared values and/or norms
The intention is to facilitate a change process (by acting together, peopleare exposed to different experiences and ideas, which can lead to a mindset shift)
Use collective power to influence policy or other sectors (government, business, etc) or make change beyond the community
Apply a holistic or systems approach (comprehensive, acknowledging complexity and the changing needs of a community)
Clear selection
WORK PROCESSES (3 of 3): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
Engage in CROSS-SECTOR collaborations (i.e., work with government agencies, businesses, families)
Participate in ALLIANCES (not necessarily cross-sector)
Offer a clear vision, mission, or objectives
Foster on-going learning (reflexive practices)
No fixed timeline (long-term oriented, long-term commitment)
Services are free-of-charge
Run completely, or mostly, by people who receive little or no pay or monetary compensation
Clear selection
Part III. The core principles or values of a community-led initiative.
The next three series of characteristics focus on principles or values espoused by community-led initiatives.
PRINCIPLES / VALUES (1 of 3): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
Host open spaces for (on-going) dialogue / communication
Focus on quality outcomes (as compared with numerical indicators or targets)
Garner community trust
Exhibit transparency
Intentionally invest in a community’s people, leaders, and assets for greater self-reliance
Clear selection
PRINCIPLES / VALUES (2 of 3): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
Life experience is valued, as expertise
Inclusive practices (acknowledges and proactively works to reduce power dynamics and inequalities)
Focus on relationships and relationship building
Community members are not forced to engage, own, or lead the effort but know they are welcome to engage, own or lead (voluntary engagement)
Respect for community members' knowledge, assets, traditions
Clear selection
PRINCIPLES / VALUES (3 of 3): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
Prioritize community needs
Focus on the well-being of the community
Apply a rights-based approach
Understand community’s context, norms, and values (as well as limitations)
Build solidarity, unity (a sense of belonging)
Clear selection
Part IV. How community-led initiatives are perceived (by insiders or members).
This last section includes two series of characteristics that focus on the way these initiatives are perceived by members or others who are engaged or involved in the work.
PERCEPTIONS (1 of 2): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
The initiative must garner the respect of the community
The initiative must be held accountable to the community
The initiative is NOT resource dependent
The initiative must remain small scale
Outcomes are sustainable (durable outcomes)
Clear selection
PERCEPTIONS (2 of 2): To be considered community-led, how important is it to have the following characteristics?
Very Important (5)
Important (4)
Neutral (3)
Low Importance (2)
Not At All Important (1)
Determination and focus on long-term goals (persistence)
Responsive: the initiative acknowledges and acts on community feedback in a timely manner
Flexible: the initiative can adapt its approach to meet changing needs
Efficiency: the initiative works to do more with less (e.g., using local resources, seeking in-kind contributions)
Effectiveness: the initiative progresses towards its desired outcomes
Clear selection
OPTIONAL: Please feel free to use this space to share comments or questions regarding any of the above characteristics or your rankings.
Based on your responses above, and your own experience, how would you define what it means to be community led?
Organization name or affiliation *
In which country (or countries) do you work? *
 Which of the following terms BEST describes your group, organization, or affiliation? *
What is your name? *
How did you learn about this survey?
Clear selection
OPTIONAL: If you would like to receive updates on this research, please provide your email address in the space below.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your opinions.

Through your response to this survey, we hope to better understand how individuals working in different organizations, communities, and contexts define community led.

We look forward to sharing back the results of this survey with you soon.  
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