The Security Needs Assessment Protocol project of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research is working to improve operational effectiveness ”meaning the impact and sustainable success of any undertaking designed to effect social change in a community” in humanitarian, development and security operations by improving the design of field-level activities that pertain to community security.
The project aims to create a systematic and rapid means of assessing local security problems as they are understood by community members themselves. This Protocol could be applied by interested agencies to conduct cooperative cultural research in the community, and then use the knowledge gained to better align resources with local needs.
Citation: Derek B. Miller and Lisa Rudnick (2008). "The Security Needs Assessment Protocol: Improving Operational Effectiveness through Community Security", UNIDIR, Geneva.