EUA’s Post

One of the pivotal insights gleaned from ThirdSpace Action Lab research on anti-racist community development was the understanding that equitable community development transcends individual actions; it's a comprehensive framework guiding every aspect of a #CBDO's operations, from governance structures to hiring practices, real estate management, and resident participation. In ThirdSpace Action Lab latest report, resident leaders echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that equity practices should permeate all facets of CBDO activities and policies. They offered tangible examples illustrating what equitable community development entails, or could entail with adequate support. Explore the key insights derived from residents' perspectives in this narrative, especially pertinent for leaders in community development organizations. Join the conversation—your insights are invaluable! https://bit.ly/3QIUPVm #ResidentSurvey #NonprofitResearch #CommunityDevelopment #SocialImpact #UndertheLens

How often do we make space for meaningful connections in our communities? In a time of increasing social isolation, it's vital to prioritize spaces where casual conversations and connections can thrive. Check out the article to learn more!

A new report by the Trust for Public Land emphasizes the pivotal role of public parks in strengthening social bonds. Parks serve as vital hubs for fostering connections among diverse communities, ultimately bridging divides. Bradley Schurman reports that cities with well-developed park systems exhibit enhanced community ties and increased volunteerism rates. Investing in parks and involving communities in their evolution can pave the way for healthier, more cohesive societies. #CommunityCohesion #PublicParks #SocialCapital https://lnkd.in/gsJtNdyT

What is community weaving In the practice of Community Weaving, individuals learn from Master Weavers who share their experiences and instruct them in the utilization of tools, techniques, and technology to cultivate their own social support networks within various spheres such as schools, neighborhoods, organizations, and businesses. Like-minded individuals, termed Good Neighbors, collaborate to establish shared resources such as furniture warehouses, childcare cooperatives, clothing exchanges, and community gardens. Additionally, they organize recreational activities like rafting trips, campouts, ropes courses, barbecues, softball games, paintball competitions, and vision quests. Furthermore, Community Weaving facilitates community improvement initiatives through the application of FSN technology, spearheading endeavors such as the closure of problematic venues, disaster response, establishment of neighborhood watch programs, fundraising for beautification projects, revitalization efforts, and the incubation of new businesses. To support these endeavors, local organizations such as the American Red Cross, Public Health Department, schools, faith leaders, businesses, and various civic, social service, and youth organizations are enlisted as FSN Partners. They provide essential resources such as free space for activities, access to speakers and educational materials, and complimentary trainings for FSN volunteers. FSN partners are equipped with the necessary training as Community Weavers, enabling them to effectively leverage the resources of the FSN to better address the needs of their clients. #communitydevelopment #educationalleadership #healthcare

Blessed to be in the movement of solidarity economy in Boston, East Cleveland, and NYC. This article is specific to our work in Boston but higlights how collective work and responsibility as well as community wealth building efforts are a cause and not a brand. Leaning into our collective experiences and competencies has birthed something special that honors legacy residents, our leaders past and present while thoughtfully engaging in system change work that aims to build more aligned institutions that are for us by us. "Black Bostonian communities citywide have more than just something to say for themselves: their economies are building institutions that prioritize asset-based community development and are creating the foundations for a local solidarity economy. In so doing, they draw on histories and energies that have grown and percolated from past and present efforts toward sustainable, people-based planning." thanks Nia K. Evans of Boston Ujima Project for your support and leadership and @NPQ for your much needed platform to share transformative efforts. #Boston #systemchange #narrativechange #grassroots #solidarity #transformative https://lnkd.in/gYeaK8yP

💡 Our project "Community reBuilding", which aims to create 10 community building centres in hromadas is on the shortlist for the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2024 (NEB)! ⭐ You can help us win in the public vote! 👉 bit.ly/3T3fUu3 Cedos, together with Western NIS Enterprise Fund helps to create and renovate 10 unique community building centres. This project has been shortlisted for the NEB Rising Stars of the New European Bauhaus competition. We will compete with other participants from different countries in the category "Prioritising the places and people that need it the most". The 50 finalists were selected from more than 530 initiatives from the EU, the Western Balkans and Ukraine. Each of the hromadas participating in the project received a grant of UAH 1,000,000 and mentoring support to develop accessible physical spaces where people from different social groups can come together for leisure, community development and cooperation. In order to vote for our project, you need to enter your email in the "Participate in the public vote" box. The email you will receive from NEB will contain a link to the voting page. You can find our project in the STRAND B - NEB Rising Stars section under the “Community reBuilding” title. 👉 Voting link: bit.ly/3T3fUu3 The New European Bauhaus initiative calls on all of us to imagine and build together a sustainable and inclusive future that is beautiful for our eyes, minds, and souls.

The St Marks Road Community Group’s Grand Iftar on St Mark's Road epitomises the transformative potential of community action. As one of the organisers of this grand event, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of grassroots initiatives in fostering unity and collective purpose. This year’s gathering, hosted by the Community group and Bristol Palestine Alliance, exemplifies three fundamental principles crucial for successful community engagement. Firstly, the principle of obtaining the “Consent of the Street” underscores the importance of local ownership and involvement. Our Grand Iftar isn’t an external imposition but a collaborative effort championed by the very residents, businesses, and religious leaders who form the fabric of St. Marks Road. This organic support has been cultivated over years, solidifying the event’s authenticity and resilience, even amid challenges such as the pandemic. Secondly, the emphasis on shared values transcending apparent differences underscores the universal appeal of solidarity and generosity. Despite diverse backgrounds and beliefs, participants unite around the common goal of fostering a more connected and compassionate community. This underscores the significance of identifying unifying principles to garner broad-based support and foster inclusivity. Lastly, the adage that “Actions speak louder than words” underscores the importance of tangible, impactful deeds. The Grand Iftar isn’t merely symbolic; it’s a tangible manifestation of community solidarity, as evidenced by the preparation of food, sharing of meals, and fostering of connections among neighbors. This emphasis on practical engagement reinforces bonds of belonging and empowerment, catalysing positive change within the community. For community leaders and advocates of positive change, the St. Marks Road Grand Iftar offers invaluable lessons. Genuine consent, shared purpose, and tangible action are essential pillars for effective community engagement. By investing in understanding local needs, seeking common ground, and prioritising# meaningful deeds over rhetoric, we can foster stronger, more resilient communities. In dedicating this year’s Grand Iftar to solidarity with Palestine, we reaffirm our commitment to justice and compassion. The event serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that authentic community action begins from the ground up. By prioritising consent, shared values, and tangible action, we can collectively build a more equitable and harmonious society.

"Across all interviews it was clear that, as important as CBDOs were to their communities, CBDOs could not function without residents. There is a symbiotic relationship between the two dating back to the origins of the sector. It was residents who formed the first CBDOs to organize around structural issues facing their communities, and this often remains true in place-based community development work." Dive into the piece today to discover residents' perspectives about community development organizations: https://bit.ly/3QIUPVm #CommunityDevelopment #UndertheLens #SocialImpact #CBDO #Memphis #Tennessee

"In community, we have everything we need." This is the motto that shapes much of the work of GatherFor and its founder, Teju Ravilochan, who we interviewed for this week's edition of Connective Tissue. GatherFor organizes neighborhood teams to support one another like a family, then links these teams together to build the neighborhoods they want. Teju and GatherFor exemplify what it looks like to put the principles of solidarity, proximity, and reciprocity into practice each day—and they are doing so in Brownsville, Brooklyn, home to the largest concentration of public housing in North America. A conversation with Teju is an invitation to imagine a different future built on belonging and care. What does it take to truly center neighbors to shape their neighborhoods? How can celebration help cultivate a community’s collective efficacy? What could it look like to reimagine and re-embed care within neighborhoods? So consider this post an invitation—actually, a forceful encouragement—to read our full Q&A with Teju. https://lnkd.in/e2QRS_pz

Learn about 3 powerful strategies in community engagement to build trust, impact and civic pride - from Akron, Detroit and Macon, Georgia. Read this Medium article for inspiration for your own practice. https://lnkd.in/ePYMaavv #communityengagement #strategy #urbanplanning #publicspace #akron #detroit #macon