This book provides an in-depth study of how community development can contribute to tackling social exclusion. It draws on the outcomes of a project funded by the Social Inclusion Programme of the European Union and managed by a European network of community development organisations — the Combined European Bureau for Social Development. It includes the analyses of the experiences of local communities; identifies and explains the key principles that are needed to underpin programmes and projects that use a community-based approach to tackling social exclusion; and provides a summary of key act ... More

This book provides an in-depth study of how community development can contribute to tackling social exclusion. It draws on the outcomes of a project funded by the Social Inclusion Programme of the European Union and managed by a European network of community development organisations — the Combined European Bureau for Social Development. It includes the analyses of the experiences of local communities; identifies and explains the key principles that are needed to underpin programmes and projects that use a community-based approach to tackling social exclusion; and provides a summary of key action points that are needed to be considered by organisations and agencies. Examples from policy and practice in the UK, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Norway are discussed, with additional information from Denmark, Ireland and Hungary. The principles and methods discussed give a valuable insight into how the voices of local people and practitioners can be heard in policy and decision making forums.