Sankofa Transformation Project
Informal Community Development Learning

Sankofa is a mythical bird of Ghana which represents the importance of reflecting on past experiences in order to use lessons from the previous experiences to inform future actions. Our Sankofa symbol links the reflections of individuals and community groups highlighting the unique lessons gained through collective sharing and learning

The Federation for Community Development Learning (FCDL) are leading a partnership programme, which aims to highlight and promote the value of informal Community Development Learning. In delivering this programme we will be working in partnership with Maan, a mental health project in South Yorkshire, Manchester Refugee Support Network, the South West Foundation and the Yorkshire and Humberside Community Development Network. Each partner brings unique experience, knowledge and community contacts.

FCDL and partners have developed a programme of accessible and participatory activities and resources in order to celebrate and demonstrate the value of informal Community Development Learning for individual and community group members. Using community development approaches participants will be given a unique opportunity to reflect on the purpose, values, context and unique lessons gained through their community actions.

There are two main strands to the Sankofa Transformation Project. The first strand involves giving support to community groups, in the North West, South West and Yorkshire and Humberside, in order for them to be able to use creative and participatory methods to tell their stories of community action, while highlighting the value of informal Community Development Learning. Community groups and members taking part in the project will be supported by community development outreach workers, facilitators and partners to tell their stories of why and how they organise in order to support community group members and the wider community.

Our second strand of the Sankofa Transformation Project, within Yorkshire and Humberside, focuses on the reflections and story capturing of unqualified Community Development practitioners who will be supported to gather evidence of the skills, knowledge and experiences they have gained through community action. The evidence they gather will be used to in order to present the information about their informal Community Development Learning into portfolios.

With support from Community Development mentors and assessors these practitioners will gain credit for their learning, gained informally. This will be only the second of such a project in the UK and will be used to promote informal Community Development Learning as an essential route to recognise and value the process of gaining skills, knowledge and unique experiences through supporting community action.

We have also recently launched the Sankofa Festival website at www.sankofafestival.org.uk, where you will find useful information and materials from the recent Sankofa Festival events, to help us to celebrate what's been achieved in the short time available.