Step-by step guidance within each of the three approaches for working with communities outlined within this Communities for Animals resource has been laid out in four project phases which can easily link with an organization’s project cycle management process. The four project intervention phases are further explained below:
Overview of Project Intervention Phases
| Phase of Intervention | Description |
|---|---|
| Initiation Phase | The initiation phase is the phase in of the project, where welfare issues, community interests and needs, and opportunities for behaviour change are identified. |
| Planning Phase | The planning phase focuses on further understanding the issues and opportunities for change identified during the initiation phase as needed and identifies appropriate strategies for improving animal welfare and changing behaviours. It also develops action plans and indicators of success, and begins undertaking preparations for implementing, including capacity building as needed. |
| Implementation Phase | The implementation phase focuses on supporting the implementation of action plans, including monitoring and further capacity building as needed to achieve and sustain desired results. Depending on the length and nature of the project, adaptive management informed by monitoring may also be included in this phase. |
| Evaluation and Exit Phase | This is the phase out stage of the project where the project has completed activity implementation, assessed monitoring results, and evaluated the project based on pre-identified criteria for exit, to determine whether to bring the project to a close. Alternatively, a determination may be made to adapt the strategy and continue the project to achieve additional animal welfare improvements and desired behavioural change. |
Table 6: Overview of Project Intervention Phases
While concepts and steps have been organized to provide practical guidance from a community animal welfare project's initiation to exit, the steps are not intended to be prescriptive, they may be modified or undertaken concurrently. It is also not necessary to use all the suggested tools and resources for each phase of the intervention. Using too many tools or exercises, may overwhelm communities or create confusion or bad feeling, which can result in gradual loss of interest and low participation [66]. As such, you are encouraged to select the tools and resources you feel are most appropriate for achieving the desired objectives at any stage of the project, taking into consideration the local context and your project resources. Remember the goal is to draw on your community engagement experience to help you to decide which tool to use at which time to stimulate the desire reflection and action and create a climate for change [65].
If you have little or no previous experience undertaking your selected approach for working with communities, it is recommended you refer to sections outlining recommended core competencies related to your selected approach along with associated recommended readings and external resources. In addition, consider attending trainings, and working with someone more experienced before undertaking before leading the intervention yourself.