Community Development

World Vision's unique, integrated model of community development has been fine-tuned for nearly 70 years and is the foundation on which our work is built.

Creating futures for children living in extreme poverty.

Communities around the world face complex challenges that threaten children’s wellbeing from the harshness of extreme poverty. Families living in poverty struggle to meet their basic needs like access to food, clothing, healthcare, education, shelter and safety.

We believe development should be transformational, community-based and sustainable, focused especially on the needs of children. 

Our transformational development approach focuses on working alongside families and with local, national and global partners, helping children take an active role to realise fullness of life – in body, mind and spirit.

We adapt our work to fit local contexts, and continually refine and learn to ensure the greatest possible impact for children. 


We, partner, plan and work alongside local community members to help build healthy, sustainable communities for children.

Listen

Listen

We sit down with the communities children, families, and leaders and listen to what their unique challenges and needs are.

Develop

Develop

We work with the community to develop a long-term action plan that will address the root causes of their challenges.

Act

Act

We make sure immediate needs are met then start the process of sustainable change to address the needs identified.

Train

Train

We train and empower local volunteers and groups, and support the community to make changes that will last long into the future.




Child Sponsorship enables World Vision to work with entire communities to have an even bigger impact and make long-term sustainable change for everyone.

Sponsored children, their families and the wider community have access to better healthcare, education, clean water, nutritious food and economic opportunities.

Because of our community-focused solutions, for every child sponsored, four more children benefit too. It’s pretty incredible to be part of such transformational change!