Hi Choen,

The role of community based enterprises are varied from overseeing socio-economic development programme to providing technical and financial (micro-finance) assistance, as well as, providing services to the health, education, natural resources and of course sustainable agriculture within the rural environment.

The Community Development Journal by Oxford Press maybe of help?

Rob

Hello Bob! This means community-based enterprises has al least 2 roles to play either being drivers or providers of services to rural development.And perhaps a sustainable source of local livelihoods.Thanks,I will browse the journal.

Hi Choen,

Yes they can undertake both roles or just one role, that will depend on the political/economic/development environment that is prevalent in the area where they are based. Also it would depend on the organisation's capabilities and their strategy on the role that they are able to perform in specific sector(s) which would determine if they are drivers and/or providers of services. A long term view could lead to a sustainable source of livelihoods, like you say, and should also be benefit the social and other capitals within the local rural community.

Rob

Hi Choen,

There is also a political contribution because a good community-based enterprise (see experiences in Latin America and Africa) may empower local communities. Community empowerment provides an opportunity for the community to claim and enforce rights against the interests of non-local actors.Community-based enterprise may enhance local capabilities to manage resources, bargain with other actors, and achieve better livelihoods. See my paper on ecotourism and development of indigenous communities.

Enrique

Technology is an important ingredient in rural upliftment and development.

For example power generation by rural enterprize may accelerate

and support sustainable rural development.

See our hypothesis in this study:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260844761_Automatic_positioner_and_control_system_for_a_motorized_parabolic_solar_reflector

Thesis Automatic positioner and control system for a motorized para...

If community based enterprises are running well and make profit (even just a little), they help provide a perspective for the younger generation (e.g. kids can be sent to school or college), women empowerment (women can generate their own income, save and invest in whatever they think is important), and upliftment of the rural society in general.  It will transform a community form a passive one into an active, self-confident one through the experience of taking up a project and succeeding. It also improves communication and problem solving capabilities within the group from which not also the enterprise but the community as a whole profits.

Hi Choen,

My recently published thesis may be of interest for you to read, see here:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270582019_Dwyer_G._%282014%29_A_spatial_analysis_of_the_suppliers_of_nature_based_tourism_in_Ireland_insights_into_the_provision_of_walking_tourism_on_the_Sheeps_Head_Peninsula_Co._Cork_published_thesis_%28MA_by_Research_and_Thesis%29_Mary_Immaculate_College_University_of_Limerick

My thesis focused on community collaboration to develop a walking tourism product. My results section (chapter 5 onward) highlights the perceived benefits that the community list as a result of the walkway.

Kind regards,

Gráinne

Thesis Dwyer, G. (2014) A spatial analysis of the suppliers of natu...

Article The contribution of rural businesses to community resilience

CBE motivates individual to take part in a responsible manner with a sense of learning and sharing with others under higher accountability.

I think there are an important contributions for that interprises in urban and rural communities.