Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Evaluating the implementation process of community-wide interventions is an important component in developing a comprehensive understanding of how it plays out. This proposal documents the findings of a unique and innovative community-based strategy in Hamilton Ontario, Neighbourhood Action Strategy (NAS). NAS sets out to improve the well-being of 11 priority communities. By working together with city staff, service providers, and other stakeholders in the community, residents have been planning and enacting initiatives that enhance the health of their community. This has included activities that further develop the social, economic, and physical environments. In-depth interviews were conducted with 60 key informants involved in the initiative and were coded and analyzed using grounded theory. Additionally, participation observation was an ongoing element in identifying the various factors that influence implementation of NAS. Respondents were asked about their thoughts on implementation and what held back or led to progress in implementing their various projects. Although communities have been able to generate change, many participants discussed the challenges associated with the implementing an initiative like this including policy barriers, lack of involvement, and working through conflict. This research is relevant and timely as it illustrates how communities can be best supported in enhancing the social, physical, and health related landscape of their neighbourhoods.