Exploring the Relationship Between CLCP & SALT : Two Sides of the Community Empowerment Coin

[Brinty Saha]

When the discussed topic is community empowerment, everyone involved in the Addressing Root Causes (ARC) initiative, funded by Global Fund for Children —whether SALT Facilitators, Documentation Officers, or Management, communities —are familiar with two fundamental approaches: Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) and SALT (Support, Appreciate, Learn, and Transfer).

While both methods emphasize community-driven development, the question arises: Are they similar, different, or interlinked? Let’s dive in.

  ✳️CLCP vs. SALT: A Comparative Look

 1.Purpose
CLCP: A holistic framework empowering communities to address their challenges by leveraging internal strengths and resources.
SALT: A participatory approach that nurtures attitudes and behaviours essential for community-driven processes like CLCP.

2. Scope
CLCP: Follows structured steps—Dream, Self-Assessment, Action Plan, Execution and Transfer—to guide community initiatives.
SALT: Focuses on four principles—Support, Appreciate, Learn, and Transfer—to build the foundation for community engagement.

3. Application
CLCP: Acts as a comprehensive framework for planning and implementing development initiatives.
SALT: Operates as an ongoing approach to inspire the attitudes necessary for executing CLCP successfully.

4. Outcome
CLCP: Builds community competence for sustainable, self-driven development.
SALT: Builds trust and motivation among community members, ensuring the smooth execution of CLCP.

✳️The Connection Between CLCP and SALT

Though distinct, CLCP and SALT are deeply intertwined. The SALT approach is the heart of CLCP, creating a supportive and appreciative environment necessary for meaningful self-assessment, planning, and execution.
By tapping into collective strengths and fostering shared learning, SALT enables active participation and ensures that the community takes ownership of its development journey.

In conclusion, CLCP and SALT are complementary: CLCP provides the roadmap for community development, while SALT ensures that the process is grounded in mutual respect, appreciation, and collective learning, making the implementation more effective and sustainable. Together, they form a powerful framework for creating sustainable, community-led change.