Community Engagement Events

When we launched 40 Communities just over a year ago, we were clear about one thing from the start: lasting impact must be built with communities, not for them. Year One has only deepened that conviction. In Western North Carolina, we stepped in after Hurricane Helene, where restoring connectivity was urgent, but so was understanding what local leaders already knew about their community’s needs and opportunities. In Mumbai, our first international 40 Communities site, we are building on Cisco’s 30-year presence in India. In both locations, we have worked in partnership with the local community to align on priority issues and shape activations. Different geographies. Different contexts. Shared lessons. Listening sits at the center of the work. When we approach with humility and take the time to understand who is already leading and where momentum exists, we can amplify local efforts and accelerate progress already underway. Proximity matters just as much. When we choose to embed ourselves in a community and stay engaged over time, the quality of our partnership deepens. That consistency builds trust, strengthens accountability, and reinforces long-term commitment. And focus is essential. We are most effective when we concentrate on where Cisco can uniquely contribute, including connectivity, digital skills, support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and cyber resilience. I am grateful to the leaders on the ground and across Cisco who continue to shape this work with insight and candor. My latest blog brings together many of their perspectives on what it takes to build long-term, locally rooted partnerships. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gAmTrv4t Brian Tippens, Christian Bigsby, Erin Connor, Harish Krishnan

What works—and what doesn’t—in efforts to address land degradation in Africa? A recent study in Sustainability Science identifies key success factors and lessons learned. Efforts to reverse land degradation and improve human well-being in Africa succeed when they manage to balance competing demands and engage local stakeholders effectively. The most successful projects share key characteristics: 💵 Economic incentives matter: Tangible benefits, such as increased income or resource security, keep communities motivated and invested in long-term success. 🤝 Engaging communities is essential: Inclusive governance structures that empower local populations, including women and marginalized groups, build legitimacy and trust. 🫴 External support is crucial: Financial aid, technical expertise, and material resources reduce the risks associated with adopting new practices, particularly in low-income settings. 🌍 Governance must be adaptive: Community-based management (CBM), backed by external guidance, often delivers better outcomes than top-down interventions, which can alienate local stakeholders. 🌈 Short-term gains and long-term goals must align: Addressing immediate needs, such as food security, while building toward broader ecological and social improvements ensures sustained engagement. 💪 Commitment and flexibility are key: Projects must maintain long-term support and adapt strategies as circumstances evolve, ensuring that initial successes are not squandered. However, the path to sustainability is littered with missteps. Projects stumble when: ⚠️ Incentives are unclear: Without tangible benefits, enthusiasm wanes, and participation falters. ⚠️ Communities are excluded: Top-down approaches, conceived in distant capitals, often fail to resonate with those most affected. ⚠️ Resources are insufficient: Inadequate funding or technical support shifts the burden to impoverished communities, stalling progress. ⚠️ Local dynamics are overlooked: Ignoring traditional governance systems or social structures undermines legitimacy and fuels resistance. ⚠️ Short-termism takes hold: Premature withdrawal of funding or oversight leaves projects vulnerable to collapse. ⚠️ Risk aversion prevails: In poverty-stricken contexts, populations are understandably hesitant to adopt new practices without guaranteed benefits. ⚠️ Political instability disrupts progress: Conflicts, as seen in Tigray and Burkina Faso, can undo decades of work in a matter of months. ⚠️ One-size-fits-all solutions fail: Projects that ignore the complexities of local contexts rarely achieve lasting success. The lessons are clear: sustainable development requires patience, pragmatism, and a commitment to long-term adaptation. Striking the right balance between immediate needs and future benefits is the only way to achieve resilience in Africa’s varied and challenging landscapes. Ruth Kamnitzer reports for Mongabay News: https://mongabay.cc/STkZpj

Looking for a coffee read....Cultural Bridge Round 3 (April 2024 - March 2025) Evaluation Report. Cultural Bridge is a collaborative funding network with investment from Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales. Key Outcomes and Insights Deepening Cultural Understanding All partners reported a deeper awareness of the cultural and social contexts within their partner country. Working across linguistic and cultural divides enabled valuable insights and adaptations, with many teams developing greater sensitivity to diverse lived experiences. This cross-cultural fluency is one of the programme’s strongest assets, enriching both project design and long-term capacity for participating organisations. This evaluation presents findings from Round 3 of the Cultural Bridge programme. The programme supports bilateral exchange between the socially engaged arts sectors in the UK and Germany. Developing Arts Practice and Methodologies Many organisations evolved their practices through Cultural Bridge. The slow, trust-based structure encouraged long-term community engagement, project adaptability, and the adoption of new artistic methods. Partners shared workshop models, storytelling practices, and facilitation strategies, often resulting in hybrid methodologies tailored for multilingual, intergenerational, or post-conflict contexts. These have had lasting effects on how partners approach co-creation, dialogue, and inclusivity, with longer-term impacts likely beyond the duration of this years’ grants. Enhanced Community Impact The collaborative model significantly improved partners’ abilities to engage meaningfully with their communities. The emphasis on time-rich, reflective processes enabled more thoughtful and inclusive programme development. Catalysing Long-Term Relationships Cultural Bridge serves as a springboard for enduring collaborations. Six Tier 1 partnerships from Round 3 successfully progressed to Tier 2 in Round 4, and nearly all partners intend to continue working together. Many partnerships have already secured external funding or made plans for joint future projects. The programme not only facilitated joint artistic outcomes but also invested in infrastructure, training, and longer-term capacity. Adaptability and Learning Through Challenges Several projects shifted their focus mid-stream, moving from public-facing outcomes to behind-the-scenes exchange and organisational learning. Several organisations reported challenges around logistics, language, and administration, but these also became valuable learning moments, strengthening their international working skills. Full evaluation report is online here: https://lnkd.in/eBVckHWb

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that success is never achieved alone—it’s built with a team. One of the most important things I’ve come to understand is the power of celebrating wins together, inclusively. It’s not just about recognizing results; it’s about building a culture where every voice is valued and everyone feels part of the journey. Inclusive celebrations create connection and belonging. When every team member—regardless of their role, background, or tenure—is celebrated for their contributions, you’re not just marking a milestone, you're reinforcing a shared purpose. This recognition doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it does need to be genuine. Take the time to understand what makes each person tick. Some might love public recognition, while others may appreciate a private thank-you or a meaningful note. Whether it’s celebrating a big win or a small achievement, inclusivity means recognizing both individual efforts and team contributions. When your team feels seen and valued, they invest more deeply in the collective mission. Celebrations, when done right, don’t just commemorate success—they fuel future growth. The stronger the bond within your team, the higher you can aim together. I couldn't agree more. #inclusive #inclusivecelebrations #buildingateam

There's a common misconception that one can show up or send an email and be welcomed by First Nations communities, receiving all the advice and information needed. This assumption overlooks the depth and complexity of these relationships. Building trust and genuine connections with First Nations communities requires time, respect, and understanding. It’s not just about extracting information; it’s about engaging with the community, honouring their protocols, and recognising your work's impact on them. True collaboration comes from a place of mutual respect and commitment. We must move beyond transactional interactions and towards meaningful partnerships that acknowledge and respect First Nations communities' cultural and social frameworks. #Reconciliation #FirstNations #Respect #CommunityEngagement #CulturalProtocols #Inclusion #Diversity

Very often, people dream of being part of a community or building a community to help each other and get help from each other. In my experience, great communities are built on these core principles. Most people join a community only expecting something from others not giving. Giving, being transparent and focusing on others interest is the beginning of a great community behavior. Below are five points I consider as important for a start 1. Setting Expectations: The Clarity Protocol Define, don't assume: Clearly articulate shared goals and boundaries upfront to eliminate the ambiguity where mistrust breeds. Transparency is safety: openly communicate limitations and roadmaps; members trust leaders who are honest about what they cannot do as much as what they can. 2. Giving and Taking: The Law of Reciprocity Contribute before consuming: Establish a culture where members offer value—knowledge, support, or resources—before asking for favors. Balance the ledger: specific, public appreciation for contributors creates a cycle of generosity that prevents the community from feeling transactional. 3. Commitments: The Reliability Standard Under-promise and over-deliver: Treat every casual agreement as a binding contract; consistency in small matters proves you can handle big crises. Own the failure: If a commitment is missed, immediate accountability rebuilds trust faster than a valid excuse ever could. 4. Community Over Self: The Stewardship Mindset Serve the mission, not the ego: Decisions must be visibly aligned with the collective good, even when it inconveniences individual leaders or influential members. Sacrifice signals sincerity: When leadership takes a hit to protect the group, it creates an unshakeable bond of loyalty among members. 5. Acting First: The Initiative Catalyst Model the behavior you seek: Do not wait for permission or consensus to do the right thing; be the first to be vulnerable, the first to help, and the first to listen. Courage is contagious: When you act without guaranteeing a return, you signal that the environment is safe, encouraging others to lower their defenses and participate.

Collective impact is becoming increasingly essential. But how do we make collaboration last and help it adapt when things change? This resource from Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement - A Guide for Building a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration - offers a clear, practical look into what makes partnerships endure. Key insights: 1️⃣ Sustainability isn’t just funding. It’s about shared leadership, strong ties, and embedding collaboration into community systems. 2️⃣ Resilience is a practice. The most effective collaboratives learn to navigate disruption, not by returning to the old normal, but by adapting together. 3️⃣ Equity sits at the centre. Sustainable change depends on shifting power, listening to lived experience, and ensuring those most affected help shape the solutions. 4️⃣ Reflection creates longevity. Ongoing learning keeps collaborations aligned with evolving needs, resources, and opportunities. As the authors write: “When thinking about collaborative sustainability, think about how your insights (successes and failures!) can be shared to build the greater community capacity for change.” A must-read for anyone working in cross-sector partnerships or systems change.

One of the great paradoxes of place-based work is that while we often talk about “partnership”, the weight of effort and expectation usually falls on community. Communities are asked to build new structures, coordinate services, engage stakeholders, stretch thin resources, and deliver on bold outcomes. The grants come with reporting requirements. The pilots come with end dates. The funding asks them to change. Meanwhile, government systems largely stay the same. That’s why I was so struck by this initiative from the UK Cabinet Office: the creation of “test-and-learn squads” embedded within government teams in places like Manchester, Liverpool, and Wakefield. What’s striking here is the humility baked into the approach. Government isn’t arriving with all the answers—it’s creating space to learn, to experiment, and to co-create solutions in partnership with community. If we’re serious about place-based reform, then it can’t just be about asking more of communities. It has to be about governments doing the work too—changing how they fund, how they listen, how they operate. Structural change has to be mutual. Real partnership means shared accountability, shared learning, and shared reform. That’s the only way we build something that lasts. More info: https://lnkd.in/ekQt6VYu Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) Tammy Sean Jane Andrew

Fascinating new paper from University College Cork on the impacts of arts, creative and cultural initiatives in fostering citizen engagement and advancing climate action. The research, published in #Current_Research_Environmental_Sustainability, evaluated five distinct creative projects, each addressing critical themes such as sustainable agriculture, circular economy, repair culture, consumption habits, sea-level rise, biodiversity, and community-driven climate action. These community based initiatives to enhance public participation in climate action were supported by the Creative Ireland Creative Climate Action Programme funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The results showed that that interactive, participatory-style creative mediums led by artists and practitioners, such as demonstrations, workshops, presentations, and discussion, effectively engaged participants across cognitive, emotional, and practical dimensions. Respondents reported an increased sense of self-efficacy and capacity to take achievable climate actions. Community-centred, peer-sharing formats emerged as trusted and valued opportunities for accessing relevant climate information, aiding constructive dialogue on complex topics. Artists' unique perspectives and creative expressions generated positive energy and an openness to engage, renewing participants' motivation to act. Findings suggest that targeted creative community events can significantly support climate policy efforts by fostering high-quality citizen engagement. The research was undertaken by Prof Marguerite Nyhan's team and Alexandra Revez at UCC Environmental Research Institute and Research Ireland MaREI Centre. The paper is freely available to download from https://lnkd.in/eKBzyevN

What if building strong neighborhoods wasn’t about big plans — but about small, consistent investments in people and place? A small city in Ohio is showing what that can look like. 17STRONG (Hamilton, Ohio) is a citizen-led initiative that has quietly built a powerful model for neighborhood vitality. It started in 2012 through a “Sense of Place” effort bringing together residents, City Council, and city staff — and today operates with an independent board, supported by local foundations and citizen donations. What makes it stand out is how practical the approach is: ✅ Clearly defined neighborhoods → Hamilton celebrates the uniqueness of its 17 neighborhoods so people have a real sense of identity and ownership ✅ Microgrants that unlock action → small, accessible funding helps residents bring ideas to life — from beautification to events ✅ Regular, visible activity → neighborhood events, cleanups, and gatherings create steady momentum and connection ✅ Tools that lower the barrier to doing → shared assets (like event/cleanup trailers) make it easy for neighbors to take initiative ✅ Recognition that reinforces culture → celebrating local leaders, businesses, and contributors builds pride and participation ✅ Cross-sector support, citizen ownership → government, nonprofits, and businesses are engaged — but residents remain at the center What’s compelling here isn’t any single program. It’s the system: identity + small capital + shared tools + regular rhythms + recognition — all anchored in citizen leadership. 17STRONG treats neighborhoods as the core unit of community building — and invests accordingly. If we’re serious about cultivating flourishing places, there’s a lot here worth learning from. #community #neighborhood #inclusion #health #urban Purpose Built Communities Placemaking Education Cormac Russell Frances Kraft Vanessa Elias Usha Srinivasan Jennifer Prophete Kevin Ervin Kelley, AIA Lory Warren Noah Baskett Matt Abrams Anna Scott Ethan Kent John B. Carol Naughton Sarah Strimmenos Ben Lewis Tim Tompkins Aaron Kuecker Aaron Hurst Tim Soerens Sam Pressler Tracy Hadden Loh David Erickson Shawn Duncan Mollie Johnson Katie Delp Carola Signori Andrew O'Brien Madeleine Jennings Ross Mudie Ben Glover Kirk Wester-Rivera David Edwards Tim Tompkins Jonathan Haidt Alexa Arnold Pronoy Sarkar