Sustainable Community Services, Community Working Methods and Practices

Abstract

The Community and Civil Research Group of Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest) investigated sustainable community activities in Hungary and abroad to identify local responses to global challenges. Using qualitative research methods, focus groups and interviews, this research defined the concepts of community service, community practice and working methods by analysing nearly 80 practical examples and 65 interviews in Hungary. The practical examples were used to create a “sustainable community model” and a methodological guide for community developers on how to implement community services. The steps of the process presented in the model are based on building community involvement and participation, mobilising local resources and capacities, creating community-based services, building sustainability and self-sufficiency and consolidating innovative training and community working practices. The research resulted in the creation of an online Community Repository, which provides community responses to the 17 UN Global Sustainability Challenges and Goals —economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection—by organising the collected community services, small community practices and working methods around seven community development perspectives: governance, place, sustainable livelihoods, culture (and the arts), identity (belonging and connection), human rights and resilience and engagement and knowledge. This study provides a methodological foundation for developing resilient community-based services that contribute to sustainability, inclusivity and innovation.

1. Introduction

Interest in community-based development has grown in recent years. This offers opportunities around the world to address social, political, economic and cultural issues from a community perspective. Community development, as a basis for policy development, as a field of practice or as a philosophical approach, is also present and often offers a unique perspective on how to seize opportunities for sustainable development and how to provide practical, everyday responses to the problems facing humanity on a community basis.

In 2023–24, research was carried out in Hungary to understand, model and systematise community services and community practices. The research and development followed the objectives of the National Laboratory for Social Innovation (TINLAB) and was carried out by the Community and Civil Research Group of the Faculty of Social Sciences of Eötvös University, Budapest (ELTE). The researchers aimed to present solutions to global challenges that are relevant to local communities, with a particular focus on social and cultural areas, taking into account the United Nations’ 2015 sustainability goals, which have been widely adopted by member states.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Community Development

Community-based development has recently received increased attention as a unique way to address global social, political, economic and cultural challenges. As a policy foundation, a field of practice or a philosophical approach, it offers valuable insights into achieving sustainable development and tackling everyday problems through community action. Community development is simultaneously a tool, a method and a movement in Hungary’s settlement development and democracy development processes. The European Union has provided funding for community development in Hungary in recent years, which is why it has received special attention.

Community development involves action based on values and principles, on a normative basis. It is an interactive, relevant and sometimes controversial way of addressing issues that affect the human condition, starting from the perspective of communities but interpreted in different contexts. In a broader sense, community development is about empowering ordinary people to act collectively to influence and exercise greater control over decisions that affect their lives [1,2,3].

The phrase “community” and all its related concepts are currently considered fashionable and are willingly and frequently used in politics [4]. Efficiency, community action, participation and capacity building are considered key elements of community development. The meaning of community development as a concept is multifaceted. Internationally, the concept of community development is primarily associated with the nonprofit, civil society sector and, to a lesser extent, with governmental organisations and services. Small communities organise themselves and take their destiny into their own hands, struggling to achieve democracy, local economic initiatives and infrastructure improvements. In many cases, governments reduce the primary purpose of community development to a much narrower one of fighting poverty and working to address visible social disadvantages, which can obviously be part of community development, but it should be noted that the concept itself has much broader potential [4,5].

The International Association of Community Developers (IACD) has significantly broadened the meaning of the term. In 2016 [6], the IACD Board and AGM adopted the following global definition of community development for the association: “Community Development is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, economic opportunity, equality and social justice, through the organisation, education and empowerment of people within their communities, whether these be of locality, identity or interest, in urban and rural settings” [7] (p. 8).

In Hungary, community development differs from that in international trends. Similarly to that in post-socialist countries, it did not develop as part of social work but grew out of the cultural and leisure sector. The Hungarian developers—the members of Hungarian Association for Community Development—follow these international terms. In Hungary, community development is linked to the strengthening of cultural identity and the cultural institutional system, in line with historic traditions, while the regulatory and funding system is linked to cultural community centres and their traditional club activities. On the other hand, since the 1990s, community development and community organising activities have been linked to the community and settlement development nonprofit organisations of the civil nonprofit sector and to the methods of innovative social work [8].

All community interventions—including community development—require careful thought, planning and inter-professional cooperation, as they are implemented in communities with very complex characteristics. When well-prepared and implemented to the best of the developers’ knowledge, community improvements can become self-sustaining and work in the long term, achieving real results in the lives of community members. Vulnerable communities with many disadvantages are part of a wider society, so it is crucial to understand and take into account the complex relationships and power relations within and outside the communities [9].

2.2. Sustainable Development in Hungary

The UN’s vision of sustainable development not only calls for the promotion of sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems but also includes poverty eradication, reduction in inequalities and sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth (UN General Assembly resolution 70/1, adopted on 25 September 2015). The resolution of the international cooperation shows that development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Achieving sustainable development, and thus the well-being of individuals and societies, requires the coordination of three cardinal and interrelated elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection [10].

The main objective of this research was to provide methodological support to municipalities, communities and their professionals, following international trends, particularly in the field of sustainable development and in times of prolonged crisis. The research collected most examples of community service and community practice in Hungary. The change of regime at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s was a historic opportunity for Hungary to start catching up with the developed countries of Western Europe—in terms of the economy, social welfare and, as part of this, the health of society and the functioning of the healthcare system [11,12]. Different sectoral institutional systems have an important role to play in breaking the cycle of social exclusion and its consequences [13].

After the change of regime, the country democratised and the third sector in Hungary was strengthened. However, in the last 10–15 years, Hungarian municipalities and NGOs have been subject to increasing governmental pressure. In the midst of political turmoil, people’s trust in the country has decreased [14]. It is therefore particularly important to support communities and help them methodically.

2.3. Methodology

This research used mixed methods, including qualitative and quantitative analysis.

The empirical research started on 6 January 2023 and lasted until 31 March 2024. Data collection included focus groups and interviews: six focus groups and eight workshops involving over 80 Hungarian experts, including community developers, cultural and social professionals and sustainability specialists. The research involved structured case studies: 80 case descriptions and 64 interviews documented good practice in community-based services. These methods were used because this was a qualitative study; we wanted to find out about a lot of adaptable practices and the aim was to develop a general procedure based on the conclusions.

Eight focus groups and six workshops were organised during this research, with the participation of experts. The focus groups were organised around specific themes, covering topics such as social issues, culture, regional development and ecology. Well-known Hungarian experts with work experience in community services were invited to participate. The focus groups consisted of six to twelve people, and the meetings took place between January and July 2023 on the ELTE campus. Each meeting lasted three hours. During the focus groups, good practices were presented and discussed. The guided group discussions aimed to develop a set of criteria for case descriptions and interviews, a methodology for presenting good practices and a clearer definition of community concepts. Focus group members received a summary of the results of their comments.

The description of community practices was carried out according to the following criteria:

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The name of the practice/activity.

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The implementer.

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Keywords.

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A brief description of the activity.

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Presentation of the background and environment.

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Main steps and duration of the activity.

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Cooperating actors.

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Why can it be called a community service/practice?

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Conditions (human, material, infrastructural, professional, financial).

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Is there a model that it follows? If so, what is it?

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Methods and background and presentation of the method.

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Community practice and possible limitations of involvement.

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Why is it worthwhile for community members to participate?

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Results, lessons learned and social impact.

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Sustainability.

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Conditions for applicability, adaptability and innovation.

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Relevant literature, websites and films.

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Recommendations for further good community practices and examples.

This set of criteria also formed the basis of personal interviews. These guided interviews were conducted in 2023 with members of the focus group and experts recommended by the participants. Based on the focus group results, the research team formulated the community service characteristics (conditions), and case studies were prepared based on the combined interview and public source results (in accordance with the focus group-formulated set of criteria). The model for the steps of community services was based on the series of steps outlined in the focus groups and expert opinions formulated during the interviews. The results were tested at a conference workshop involving the Hungarian Association for Community Development.

In addition to expert groups, PhD students from ELTE’s Doctoral School of Sociology and master’s students (community and civil development studies) from Hungary and abroad were able to participate in this research and contribute to the collection of good practices. The focus of the case studies was to present community-based solutions and ways of working, compiling national and international examples that do justice to local needs by involving local resources, thus contributing to sustainability. All case studies followed the themes of an expert-endorsed set of criteria and were linked to at least one, and in most cases more than one, SDG.

The case studies were categorised into seven development areas in line with international community development frameworks. This research defined key criteria for successful community services, emphasising participation, transparency, inclusivity, empowerment, sustainability and partnership. Following thematic classification, a “Community (Knowledge) Repository” was created. The categories of the Community Repository of challenges faced by communities and local responses to these challenges were based on the classification of seven working areas of international practice developed by the community developers Sue Kenny-Brian, McGrath and Rhonda Phillips [15]. The ordering principle of community practices was as follows: governance and community development; place and community development, place-based development; sustainable livelihoods and community development; culture and creative expression, art and community development; identity, belonging and connection; community development, human rights and resilience; and engagement and knowledge [15]. A description of good practices was prepared, and the research working group decided on their inclusion in the Community Repository, selecting practices that met the community criteria of the focus group, the SDG goals and the IACD community development framework simultaneously.

Another aim of this research was to develop an online Community Knowledge Repository with examples of community services and community practices [16].

3. Results

3.1. Conditions for Community Services

This qualitative study confirmed that the basis of community development is to encourage participation, increase the active involvement of the community and strengthen its organisation. The exercises highlighted that community development work typically results in the creation of new service activities, while the profile of existing ones may change because of identified needs and capacities. The findings point to the need to focus on reciprocity and equality in the delivery of community services and to enable individuals to participate and contribute to become valued members of their community. Local community activities take place in local community arenas and provide complex responses to a wide range of needs of specific target groups. In addition to skilled professionals, they rely on enthusiastic and capable laypeople who need to be provided with learning opportunities and mentoring [17].

The starting point for the survey was the definition used by the Hungarian Association for Community Development, which states that “A community-based service is a way of meeting needs and wants that is embedded in the local community, i.e., it is local; it builds on personal or local community needs and resources; it works in partnership with local residents on an equal footing; it mobilises internal resources; it works in partnership with other services and with other actors in the local community” [18] (p. 2).

The research team (Maria Arapovics, Edit Kovács and Dávid Dudok) established a set of conditions for community services based on a cross-section of the literature and empirical research examples. To be effective and successful, community services must meet the following criteria:

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Participation and community leadership: The community must be actively involved in the planning, management and evaluation of services. Decisions are taken by community members and services are tailored to their needs and priorities.

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Openness and transparency: The governance process should be open and transparent. Community members need to know how the service works and how to get involved.

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Inclusivity: Community services should be accessible and usable by all community members, regardless of gender, age, cultural background or other factors.

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Empowerment: Community members must be equipped to manage services effectively and have the necessary skills and knowledge.

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Incentivising participation: Community members who may be hard to reach or less active should be given the opportunity to participate.

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Respect for local knowledge and culture: Services should respect the local knowledge, culture and values of the community.

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Sustainability: The community must be sustainable in the long term. Services must operate in a way that does not lose support and funding.

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Partnership: Community services should be based on collaboration with other local and national organisations, government institutions and other stakeholders.

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Measuring and evaluating outcomes: The effectiveness and efficiency of services should be regularly measured and evaluated, and feedback should be used to make improvements with community involvement.

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Provision of resources: The resources (financial, human, etc.) needed for community services should be provided to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.

Meeting these conditions helps to ensure that community-led services are based on the needs and priorities of the community, are sustainable in the long term and have a positive impact on the life of the community.

The classification and “scaling” of community-led services can vary in terms of participation and influence (

Table 1. Categorization of community services in terms of participation.

PARTICIPATION	high	IMPLEMENTING ACTORS Community members are involved in planning and running services, but their influence is limited. Some decisions and control are in the hands of the community but there are external organisations or authorities that have more influence. Community members are involved in many sub-area decisions, but strategic decisions are made by others.	COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT Community members are actively involved in the planning and running of services and have a significant influence. Decisions and governance are largely in the hands of the community. External organisations or authorities play only a supporting role
	low	PASSIVE OBSERVERS Community members show minimal involvement in the planning and running of services. Decisions and management are predominantly in the hands of external organisations or authorities. The community has no significant say in the programmes or their development.	STRATEGIC ACTORS Only a small percentage of community members are involved in shaping community services but they have real influence. Representativeness is a challenge. Concentration of influence in the hands of a small group can undermine legitimacy or undermine equality.
		low	high
		INFLUENCE

Edited by Maria Arapovics and Edit Kovács [19] (p. 35).

). Specific characteristics are participation, influence, sustainability and internal resources (potential for autonomy). They can be classified from low participation to high influence. Empowering communities refers to the concept that individuals have the capacity to exercise control over and make choices regarding the values of their lives, rather than having external actors determining what is beneficial for them. That is, they actively participate in and influence community affairs, although the extent of their involvement may vary.

3.2. Community Services, Community Ways of Working and (Small) Community Practices

Based on this research (focus groups, interviews with experts, analysis of good practices), the research team established the Community Knowledge Repository, distinguishing three approaches, or three types of cases, which are the following:

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Community services.

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Community working practices.

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(Small) community practices.

A “community service” is an activity or programme organised and implemented by community organisations, municipalities, NGOs or other community groups for the benefit of the community. They aim to promote the well-being, development and support of community members. These services may be social, health-related, educational, cultural or recreational in nature. They are characterised by meeting community needs, community participation and involvement, the use of local resources and the strengthening of social cohesion. An illustrative example is the Hungarian Food Bank Association’s community service, which supports those in need by redistributing surplus food to address both overconsumption and food insecurity.

“Small community practice” is the method or approach used by community groups, professionals or organisations to deliver community services. It involves community participation, collaboration and collective action to achieve common goals by community members. It is characterised by community-based planning and decision-making, the involvement of local communities in solving problems, capacity development and building and the mobilisation of community resources and knowledge. An example is the Hungarian Erris sustainable energy community initiative, where local community members jointly own and use energy-generating assets. Another noteworthy example in this area is the practice in Budapest of the Zugló Collective Housing Association, which operates as an umbrella organisation to facilitate similar tenant housing associations.

A “community way of working” is a methodology or style of working that builds on the active involvement and participation of community members in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and programmes. This way of working emphasises partnership, collaboration and harnessing the power of the community. It is characterised by a democratic and inclusive approach, resource sharing and collaboration, the strengthening of community networks and relationships and continuous feedback and adaptation. An example is the eco-village cooperation, where community members work together to develop a sustainable way of life and share their knowledge with other communities. The Repair Café movement’s “community assembly shops” serve smaller communities, promoting social cohesion and collaboration through community-based repair activities.

There are also a number of examples of national public cultural institutions, such as libraries and community museums, which, with the agreement of their owners, have adopted a participatory management model grounded on community involvement.

At the end of this research, a Community Knowledge Repository [16] was developed, compiling the collected examples to serve as a resource for Hungarian community developers, relevant professionals and interested members of the public.

4. Discussion

4.1. Steps Towards a Sustainable Community Model

The research objectives were met through the development of a systematic process and a set of steps for civil society communities and by presenting nearly 80 adaptable, sustainable community practices along with a coherent, community-focused set of criteria. At the same time, this research identified novel directions for further development and improvement.

After analysing the case studies and examining the Hungarian social, healthcare, public, cultural and community-based services, this research proposed a five-step model for the implementation of sustainable community services.

The steps are as follows (

Table 2. Steps in the process of the sustainable community model.

Step	Activity	Goals
Step 1	Community involvement and participation	To increase the active participation of community members in the planning, implementation and sometimes decision-making process of services
Step 2	Mobilising local resources and capacities	To ensure the long-term sustainability of community services and to preserve their capacity for continuous renewal and adaptation
Step 3	Developing community-based services	To ensure the long-term sustainability of community services and to preserve their capacity for continuous renewal and adaptation
Step 4	Ensuring sustainability and self-sufficiency	To ensure the long-term sustainability of community services and to maintain their potential for renewal
Step 5	Innovative training and community working methods	To apply new, creative and innovative methods for community learning and working

Edited by the author [19].

):

Step 1: Community involvement and participation: Encourage active participation in service planning and decision-making. Organise public forums and participatory planning workshops.

Step 2: Mobilising local resources and capacity: Involve local professionals and volunteers. Develop training programmes to build community capacity.

Step 3: Developing community-based services: Establish community centres for education, social services and cultural activities. Integrate social, cultural and educational services for holistic development.

Step 4: Ensuring sustainability and self-sufficiency: Develop financial models to sustain initiatives. Strengthen local business networks and partnerships.

Step 5: Innovative training and community working methods: Implement creative methods such as participatory design and co-creation. Use technology and start-up thinking in community development.

The findings indicate that community-driven solutions have the potential to improve social services and contribute to the development of stronger, more inclusive communities. To enable the broader implementation of these approaches, policymakers and service providers need to support local participation, ensure stable funding and encourage collaboration between different groups.

4.2. Steps in the Process of a Sustainable Community Model

4.2.1. Community Involvement and Participation

The aim is to enhance the active involvement of community members in planning, implementation and, in some cases, decision-making in processes related to service provision.

Processes for implementation:

• Establishing democratic participatory processes: This involves engaging local residents, organisations and civil society actors in the design and implementation of community projects, which allows them to express their views, needs, ideas and suggestions, take part in decision-making and contribute resources to the implementation process. This includes, for example, organising community forums and meetings where everyone can articulate their views.
• Mapping local needs and resources: Organising broad community surveys and consultations to understand local needs and resources will help to ensure that new initiatives and services are genuinely responsive to, and organised around, the needs of the community.
• Organising community planning workshops and forums: These events provide opportunities for community members to collaborate on developing solutions and plans, while also providing a space to share ideas and suggestions.

4.2.2. Mobilising Local Resources and Capacities

The aim is to utilise resources and knowledge within the community to develop services.

Processes for implementation:

• Engaging local professionals and enthusiastic community members: Channelling the expertise and enthusiasm of the community into initiatives to build community confidence and strengthen social cohesion.
• Community training and mentoring: Training and programmes that build on existing community knowledge and experience, while also helping community members to acquire new skills and develop through peer-to-peer mentoring.
• Community-based use of physical and infrastructural resources: Community-owned resources (including community spaces and assets) are shared and developed by members to ensure sustainability and serve the community’s interests.

4.2.3. Developing Community-Based Services

The aim is to develop and maintain community-based services that are tailored to the needs of the community, with a “co-creation” experience. Co-creation is a process in which different stakeholders, such as the local government, other institutions, businesses, employees, partners and other interested parties, work together to achieve a common goal, in this case the development of a new service, event, experience or solution. Co-creation involves participants collaboratively working together to generate value by integrating diverse expertise and perspectives into the process.

Processes for implementation:

• Creating community spaces and programmes: Establishing venues and organising events that facilitate opportunities for community members to meet, learn and work together. Examples include community centres, workshops, and cultural and educational programmes.
• Integration of social, cultural and educational services: Bringing together different types of services to provide comprehensive solutions for the community, including social care, cultural activities and education.
• Support for community enterprises and projects: Assisting local initiatives to operate in a sustainable way, by providing access to resources such as advice, funding and infrastructure.

4.2.4. Ensuring Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency

The aim is to ensure the long-term sustainability of community services while preserving their capacity for renewal.

Processes for implementation:

• Developing financial models: Developing financial strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of projects, such as self-financing opportunities and increasing local revenues.
• Strengthening local markets and economic linkages: Supporting the local economy, for example, by organising market places for local products and services, thus strengthening local community-based trade.
• Developing partnerships: Collaborating with other local service providers, businesses and organisations to enhance community prosperity and sustainability.
• Organising circles of support: Systematically connecting dedicated individuals who recognise and value community assets and are willing to strengthen them through their own networks.

4.2.5. Innovative Training and Community Working Methods

The aim is to employ new, creative and innovative methods for community learning and collaboration.

Implementation processes:

• Organising creative workshops and innovative work methods: Hosting events that encourage participants to creatively develop new ideas and solutions to local challenges (hackathons, design thinking, etc.).
• Using grassroots, attitude-based development methods: Community projects are designed and implemented through the active participation and ideas of residents, ensuring the real values of grassroots initiatives.
• Integrating technology and start-up thinking: Applying innovative technologies and entrepreneurial start-up methods for community projects, such as using digital platforms, developing new business models and exploiting the potential of community financing.

The model is recommended for use by municipalities, NGO professionals and community developers as a framework for providing high-quality community-based services. It must be adapted to fit local needs and should be backed by specific research.

5. Conclusions

This study underscores the significance of sustainable community services and practices in addressing global challenges through localised solutions Through an extensive qualitative analysis of nearly 80 practical examples and 65 interviews, we identified the essential principles and working methods that contribute to effective community engagement. The “sustainable community model” developed in this research provides a structured framework that can guide organisations and institutions in implementing community services that are both impactful and sustainable over the long term.

A key finding of this study is that successful community services are rooted in inclusivity, active participation and applicability to local context and evolving needs. Communities that integrate these principles are better equipped to respond to crises, foster social cohesion and support long-term development. Moreover, collaboration—both within local communities and across institutional networks—proves to be a crucial factor in ensuring the effectiveness and longevity of community initiatives.

While this research establishes a solid foundation for understanding sustainable community development, further investigation is needed to evaluate the long-term impact of these practices. Future studies could examine the scalability of the sustainable community model, with particular attention to diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts. Additionally, examining the role of digital tools and technological innovations in community engagement could offer new insights into enhancing sustainability efforts.

Finally, this research reinforces the importance of community-driven initiatives in building sustainable societies and proposes a guiding framework for policymakers, practitioners and academics committed to social innovation and development. By prioritising sustainability, inclusivity and innovation, communities can develop meaningful solutions to global challenges and build resilient, thriving societies for future generations.