When a community takes action, it can really improve local areas, especially when municipal services are not working well. Although the municipality must do its job, and you should keep reporting to them, sometimes communities getting together to help can speed things up.

Community projects, like cleaning up a park or creating a new one, can make a big difference.

Here’s a guide on how to organise and manage such projects effectively.

Steps for launching your community project

• Identify the project: Decide on the specific issue or project, like cleaning up a park or creating a new recreational area.

• Gather community support: Talk to community members to see who is interested and to get their support. You can do this through meetings, social media, or local groups.

• Plan the project: List the steps needed to finish the project. This includes setting goals, timelines, and needed resources.

• Assign roles and responsibilities: Share tasks with volunteers. Make sure everyone knows their role and what is expected of them.

• Apply project management methods: Use simple project management methods like setting clear goals, checking progress, and changing plans if needed.

• Execute the project: Start the project with the community's help, making sure everyone works towards the same goal.

• Review and celebrate: After the project is completed, look at the results and celebrate what the community has done.

  • Communicate to local media or other community groups.

  • Tell fixlocal. We want to hear about your good work and share it with others!

More information

For good project management, use basic ideas like clear communication, regular updates, and being flexible to changes.

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

How to set up a community group

How to start a WhatsApp group

How to start a residents' association

How to set up a community policing forum

How to set up a neighbourhood watch

How to organise community action

How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.