Los miembros de la comunidad se resisten a los objetivos de su proyecto. ¿Cómo vencerás su oposición?

The "community listening" part of this process should've likely started before concerns or objections were ever brought up. These three questions can be a helpful place to start: 1. What are the challenges/problems our community members face? 2. Which of those are we uniquely positioned to solve? 3. How can we solve them? The more completely you can answer those types of questions using real-world conversations with members of your community, the better positioned you'll be when it comes to strategic work (like setting project goals).

Collaboration should have been sought at an early stage, but it's better late than never! If community members are resisting your project goals, step back and re-evaluate. Low uptake or a lack of diversity in participation might signal a mismatch between your project and the community's actual needs. Remember, your purpose is to serve the community, not your or your organisation's ego. Instead of trying to change their minds, change yours. Engage in open dialogue with community members (ideally community leaders!), actively listening to their concerns and responding to their feedback with grace. Collaboration will lead to a more successful project in the long term or the realisation that you need to move your project elsewhere.

Overcoming community opposition to your project goals requires offering assurance. Begin by engaging with community members through meetings and open forums to understand their concerns. For example, if a new sustainable housing project faces resistance due to fears of increased traffic, present data and case studies showing minimal traffic impact in similar projects. Highlight benefits like reduced energy costs and improved local air quality. Additionally, involve community members in the planning process, ensuring their voices are heard and addressed. By transparently addressing concerns and demonstrating the project's positive impacts, you can build trust and secure community support.

If you are finding resistance from Community members, you may want to ask yourself if the program is indeed what is best for that community. Often times, organizations look for ways to gain approval from a community so that they can stand up their developed program, but the impact and needs could be based on assumptions that don’t fit the current community landscape. Stakeholder research, engagement and collaboration is needed to ensure a program is a strong fit for the needs of any given community.

Overcoming community resistance to your project goals requires understanding their concerns and involving them in the process. Start by conducting open forums to listen to their worries and gather feedback. For example, if community members oppose a new sustainable housing development, address fears of increased traffic or changes in neighborhood aesthetics. Highlight benefits such as improved energy efficiency, lower utility costs, and enhanced green spaces. Incorporate their suggestions where possible, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to shared goals. Building trust through transparency and collaboration can turn opposition into support, ensuring the project aligns with both your vision and community needs.