These two tried and tested strategies worked for me, during my time doing humanitarian aid work overseas. Seeking out, then working with community leaders or people with influence who are already trusted and can help advocate for the work. Listen to their feedback and then include their voice in your communications. Centre the community values, understanding and respecting their culture, beliefs and their ways of working/living. Use this as a baseline for your ideas and initiatives. The community can see you have done your research, and you are collaborating not dictating. This creates a feeling of empowerment with the community being centred in the work, which will enable trust to be built.

Demonstrating integrity over time is a key component of trustworthiness. If community members are skeptical, be honest by acknowledging that your initiatives are new and make time to address concerns and hear feedback about those initiatives. Earning trust doesn’t happen in a hurry but initiatives that are good for the community can earn community confidence and support over time. As community members see the proof and pattern of your trustworthy actions and ability to genuinely listen and learn, it is likely that they’ll eventually trust and understand the ways your initiatives will truly benefit rather than harm the community.

Para ganarse la confianza de una comunidad escéptica, es fundamental escuchar sus preocupaciones y presentar iniciativas con claridad y transparencia, sustentándolas en evidencia y ejemplos de proyectos exitosos. Esto reduce el escepticismo inicial al mostrar que las propuestas están bien fundamentadas y abordan desafíos posibles. También es clave involucrar a la comunidad en la planificación y ejecución. La confianza se construye con consistencia y compromiso, por lo que cumplir promesas y mantener una comunicación abierta fortalecerán el apoyo. Resultados tangibles desde etapas tempranas también mostrarán el valor de las propuestas y consolidarán la confianza.

Ganhar a confiança de uma comunidade exige paciência, empatia e ações concretas. Começar ouvindo ativamente e reconhecendo as preocupações. Demonstrar que você entende os medos e dúvidas é o primeiro passo para abrir o diálogo. A transparência também é fundamental. Compartilhar informações claras sobre os objetivos e impactos das iniciativas, mostrando que você não tem nada a esconder. Engajar ativamente a comunidade, promovendo reuniões e espaços de diálogo onde possam ouvir, perguntar e contribuir. Ao envolvê-los no processo, você transforma ceticismo em colaboração.

To gain their trust is to build relationships. It's about showing not only when you need an inofrmation or anything. You need to ask questions and listen to them. Find out what solutions have they created and how best can you come in, this way it doesn't look like you are overlooking their efforts but giving it the much needed recognistion while you bring up your idea/solution/project