Difference Between Social and Community Mobilization

Key Difference – Social vs Community Mobilization

Social mobilization and community mobilization are two terms that we often hear of, between which a key difference can be identified. First before defining the two terms, let us understand the meaning of the word mobilization. Mobilization can be understood as organizing groups for an active service. People can be organized for various reasons ranging from environmental conservation tohuman rights. Through media, we read and hear of so many of these efforts. But how do we categorize whether it is a form of social mobilization or community mobilization? Social mobilization is when individuals in the society get together to achieve a particulargoal. This can even include various organizations or groups who raise awareness and demand a change in the society. On the other hand, community mobilization is when individuals or groups in a community get together to achieve a particular goal. This goal usually raises the standard of living of the community. Hence, thekey differencebetweensocial and communitymobilization is that whilesocial mobilization brings together people coming from various backgrounds in the society to achieve a single goal, in community mobilization, it is the members of the community that are brought together.

What is Social Mobilization?

Social mobilization can be defined as an instance where people get together for a particular purpose. By people, we not only include individuals, but also organizations, groups, various movements as well. These groups get together to achieve a specific target. In most situations, the target is to raise awareness. For example, let us take a demonstration where people educate the society on the importance of conserving the environment. Here, the target is to raise awareness on the dangers ofglobal warmingand stress on the necessity to protect the environment.

However, the target can also be to initiate a change in the society. For example, a procession or a large gathering of people against a recently established social policy can act as an initial step towards change. Nowadays, media plays a key role in social mobilization as almost everyone is connected to the internet. This is why most activists political or otherwise use the media and social networks to organize such events.

What is Community Mobilization?

Community mobilization is when individuals or groups in a community get together to achieve a particular goal. The key difference between social and community mobilization is that in community mobilization the scope is much smaller than in social mobilization. Also in community mobilization the community gets together to achieve a particular target such as a solution to a problem. In this sense, it goes beyond raising awareness.

When a community is mobilized, it aims to raise the standards of living of people. This can be in different sectors such as education, health, environmental pollution, etc. Here, it is vital to comprehend the various elements that are integrated into community mobilization. One of the basic elements is to comprehend the problem that the community faces and find effective solutions to this problem. Here, the community requires communication, leadership, resources, management, and an efficient process through which the overall goal could be achieved.

What is the difference between Social and Community Mobilization?

Definitions of Social and Community Mobilization:

Social mobilization:Social mobilization is when individuals in the society get together to achieve a particular goal.

Community mobilization:Community mobilization is when individuals or groups in a community get together to achieve a particular goal.

Characteristics of Social and Community Mobilization:

Goal:

Social mobilization:The goal can either be to raise awareness on a particular issue or to demand a change.

Community mobilization:The goal is to improve the conditions of the living standards of people in the community.

People:

Social mobilization:People can come from different contexts but are of the same society.

Community mobilization:People belong to a single community.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Climate Rally flows down Swanston street” by Takver – originally posted to Flickr as Climate Rally flows down Swanston street. [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Commons

2. “Bartlett – Extension Meeting – Nepal 2002” by APB-CMX at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Undead_warrior.. [Public Domain] via Commons