Which of the following is NOT a step in building individual or community capacities?

Building individual or community capacities involves fostering skills and abilities that enable people to effectively engage in their communities and advocate for their needs. Each of the steps listed, except for collective bargaining, aligns closely with methods used to empower individuals and communities.

Consciousness-raising focuses on enhancing awareness about social issues and injustices, which is fundamental in motivating individuals to take action and participate in collective efforts for improvement. Bootstrapping refers to leveraging existing resources and skills to create change without external assistance, emphasizing self-reliance in capacity building. Self-assertion encourages individuals to express their needs and rights, promoting personal empowerment and confidence in advocating for oneself and one’s community.

Collective bargaining, while an important process in labor relations and negotiations, does not inherently serve as a capacity-building step in the same direct way the other options do. It is more focused on negotiating terms of employment rather than enhancing individual or community capabilities for broader social engagement or empowerment. This distinction is why it is identified as not being a step in the capacity-building process.