Community Mobilization

Community mobilization is meant to increase overall awareness of and support for your program within the community. Whereas partnerships involve collaboration with specific organizations or other entities to achieve shared goals, community mobilization aims to engage the community more broadly. Community mobilization and partnership-building activities often complement each other. For example, community mobilization efforts may increase potential partner organizations’ responsiveness to collaboration opportunities. Conversely, community partners may help to identify or amplify opportunities for community mobilization.

Community mobilization efforts may include activities like outreach and education campaigns, organization of a community advisory board, community events or forums, and local media engagement. Such efforts can offer a range of benefits, such as the following:

• Increase visibility of your organization and diabetes program
• Create a positive image of the program within the community
• Boost program recruitment
• Build trust and buy-in
• Increase diabetes awareness
• Identify existing resources that can be leveraged
• Support and promote partnerships

You may want to engage a variety of stakeholders that can contribute to your program in different ways (e.g., advocacy, visibility/awareness, referrals), such as:

• Local political leaders and government
• Local media outlets
• Healthcare providers
• Community organizations

When engaging and mobilizing stakeholders, you may want to do the following in your messaging:

• Demonstrate how the goals of the program align with community needs
• Show a positive image of your program within the community
• Clarify the community’s role in program success
• Explain the program’s potential impact on the community
• Illustrate the community’s part in providing an inclusive program
• Highlight partnerships you’ve developed

See Other Resources section for community mobilization guides and resources