Objective

To present the process of contact and mobilization of a community, seeking to facilitate the development of a caregiving network in Medellín, Colombia.

Method

The systematization process of the caregiving network's promotion was conducted according to the phases of clinical community involvement: contact with the community, clinical-community therapeutic modalities and analysis of the process. The method emplo-yed was community-based rehabilitation.

Results

Training needs and family organization towards caregiving are the caregivers' major challenges are. The participants are aware of the relevance of creating support networks and have acquired practical knowledge useful to fulfill their daily needs, which are the foundations for future network development.

Conclusions

The experience of promoting the development of a community network brings insights and concerns regarding the methods used and the actual caregiving needs of the community. Despite the difficulties encountered with collective actions, group cohesion and assistance to community gatherings, caregivers were able to reflect upon and learn about caregiving networks.