MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
SESSION 2: COMMUNITY SELECTION AND PROFILING (STEP 1)
Objective: To gather a “snapshot” of conditions existing in target
community.
Preparation and Initiation
The selection of a target community is often made in response to an
acknowledged need or request for assistance. Initial activities include a review of
secondary information on the locality, district and region with particular emphasis
on livelihood activities (how people in the area make their living), the hazards
they face and the impact of previous disasters
Community profiling
Building on the information gained from review of secondary information, a rapid
participatory investigation is initiated to build a picture of the general nature,
needs and resources of the target community. The community are at the front
line; they know their situation and can provide a true and detailed picture of their
situation.
The community profile is helpful in determining the degree of cohesion within the
community and forms the basis for the selection of focus groups for more in-
depth investigations. Local perceptions of wealth and vulnerability should be
revealed and groups often excluded from decision-making processes should be
identified.
SLIDE – Elements of community profile.
Basic elements of the community profile include:
Layout of community (mapping)
Economic / livelihood activities (identification of occupational and
different socio-economic groups)
Social and institutional networks (Venn diagram)
Seasonal factors, such as weather, cropping and labour patterns
(calendar)
General issues and challenges (group discussion)
A Training Manual on Use of Climate Information and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment for
Agricultural Extension Staff in Zimbabwe
Page 67