Difficulties of Local Community Development and Mechanisms for Addressing Them from a Social Work Perspective: A Field Study on Bani Walid Municipality

Abstract

This research aims to identify the difficulties hindering local community development and explore mechanisms for addressing them from a social work perspective, using the Bani Walid municipality as a model. The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach, and data were collected from a purposive sample of 70 respondents, including the head and members of the municipal council, office directors, and sector monitors. The results revealed that administrative difficulties ranked first, followed by economic and social difficulties. The most prominent obstacles included the lack of administrative follow-up, economic instability, and weak social awareness regarding the importance of participation in development. The study recommended enhancing developmental awareness among citizens, adhering to administrative hierarchy, and activating the role of social workers in leading local change.