Outside - looking in: evaluating a community capacity building project

The Alberton Project was a three-year community capacity building project that ran from 1999 until 2002. It aimed to revitalise the local community surrounding the small Victorian town of Yarram. Evaluation of the project involved participant observation, monitoring of media reports, surveys and interviews. Outcomes are reported with reference to four capacity building domains of vision and leadership, structure and partnerships, community engagement, and resources. The Project demonstrated a high level of administrative competence and an ability to build a strong profile. While members showed themselves to be well motivated and ethical, they battled to engage a wide range of community members. Limitations were identified with the project's bureaucratic structure compared to alternate social models of organisation that reflect how people interact in a community. Other rural community capacity building projects should consider the value of open organisational structures that invite a more diverse membership from the community.