Glossary
Civil renewal
The renewal of civil society through the development of strong, active and empowered communities, in which people are able to do things for themselves, define the problems they face, and tackle them in partnership with public bodies. Civil renewal involves three essential elements: active citizenship, strengthened communities and partnership in meeting public needs. Its practical process is community engagement. (See community engagement, active citizenship, strengthened communities, partnership in meeting public needs)
Community capacity building
Activities, resources and support that strengthen the skills and abilities of people and community groups to take effective action and leading roles in the development of their communities. (Building Civil Renewal: Government support for community capacity building proposals for change. Review findings from the Civil Renewal Unit)
Community development
The process of providing help and advice to communities to bring about social change and justice by working with them to identify their needs, plan their next steps, take action and evaluate the results, all in ways which challenge oppression and tackle inequalities. (Adapted from the National Occupational Standards for Community Development Work) Neighbourhood action planning Neighbourhood action planning is when partners/groups etc. involved in developing plans for a neighbourhood get together to devise their formal action plan, with help from public bodies, agencies etc. A residents' consultancy can help with this and their advice will help to shape the action plan. (See residents' consultancy)
Localism (or new localism)
Localism is making services more locally accountable, devolving more power to local communities and, in the process, forging a modern relationship between the state, citizens and services