Community Development is a process by which community members play a central and active role in addressing the issues which affect their lives. It is a collective and inclusive process which advances social, political and economic development for communities, while building the capacity of the individuals involved. It is a process that utilizes and builds on local knowledge, networks and institutions. The key element of community development is that it is driven by members of the community, and is inclusive of marginalized groups. While this approach is applicable to the global context, it is particularly important in the context of the Niger Delta because citizens have not been properly consulted in developmental interventions and resource management. NIDPRODEV facilitates community development in the communities of the Niger Delta through capacity and awareness building programmes which center on:

1. Economic Empowerment Programmes
2. Capacity Development
3. Technical and Mentoring Support

Following are some examples of NIDPRODEV projects focusing on Community Development:

CURRENT

• Intergrated Water Sanitation and Hygiene (i-WASH)
  The Intergrated water sanitation and hygiene (i-WASH) action, is a 20-month intervention funded by the European Union that seeks to provide access to sustainable water supply, sanitation, services delivery and proper hygiene practices in 7 communities in Delta State

• Promoting Effective Niger Delta Intitutions through Improved Social Accountability (PENDISA II)
  The project is part of the ‘Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement’ (SACE) programme which is funded by both United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND). It aims to achieve Enhanced Sustainable Development in the Niger-Delta through strengthened capacity of CSOs & GMoU communities to advocate and demand for a transparent and accountable Niger Delta institutions, strengthened engagement/partnership between civil societies, communities and Niger Delta institutions for more transparent and accountable institutions and increased public  awareness on Niger Delta institutions mechanisms for more improved transparency and accountability.

• STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF STAKEHOLDERS FOR EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF NDDC (SCOSEN)
  It is a three-month project being implemented by The Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE- Africa) and Community Empowerment and Development Initiative (CEDI) which aims to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders for effective advocacy, monitoring, reporting and ownership of NDDC projects in two local government areas (Uvwie and Warri South) and six communities (Ugbolokposo, Okuatata, Ebrumede, Edjeba, Ugbuwangue and Ugbori) in Delta state.

PAST

• ON Livelihoods and Governance (ONLAG)
  The ONLAG project is intended to strengthen current livelihoods and identify alternative means of sustainable livelihoods. Included in the project are efforts to strengthen and facilitate the ability of local business to access micro-credit (soft loans) through collaboration with micro-finance banks.

• Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) Deployment
  The overall objective of the GMOU process is to build the capacity of the local communities to negotiate with the multinational oil companies for development funding, and then manage the process of choosing and implementing the development projects in their communities.

• Strengthening Stakeholder Capacity for Peace through Dialogue on Oil Revenue Transparency in the GMoU Communities of Niger Delta
  This project is aimed at creating a demand-driven accountability mechanism, allowing indigenes of the Niger Delta to monitor and track the process of government expenditures for development. This project will also engender increased women involvement and participation in decision making in the selected communities.

• Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in the Niger Delta (STAND)
  The STAND project is an initiative of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), with the objective to engender responsive governance, transparency and accountability from the grassroots.
  
  
  
• The Kaduna Community Dialogue Programme
  With funding from the UK Department of International Development (DFiD), this programme was designed to provide participants with the skills to be able to sustain participatory community governance and development.

• Niger Delta Friendship Library
  In partnership with Global Citizen Journey-USA, NIDPRODEV hosted a 40-person citizen diplomat delegation visit to the Niger Delta in 2005. The Niger Delta Friendship Library, located in Oporoza, Delta State, was created as the first library and computer center in the riverine part of the delta. 
  
  
• Sweet Crude Documentary Film
  NIDPRODEV was host and Associate Producer for Sweet Crude, the first full length documentary about the Niger Delta. The film has received many awards since being released in 2009, and has just been signed with a distributor for world-wide distribution.