The importance of bottom-up approaches and solutions.

Philanthropy or top-down approaches alone cannot bring cities, neighbourhoods, and communities together. Civic renewal must also come from the bottom up.

Building our community foundations can do several things to play their part. Below are just a few to mention:

• Keep it local

• Turn residents into civic players and members, increasing capacity as civic members

• Get civic culture right

• Learn from one another

• Build connections and create social capital

• Develop community resiliency within community-led solutions

A framework I use for bottom-up approaches is the Asset-Based Community Development method. This tool will be important for integrating city-building plans, strategies, building teams, and support.

Learn more here: https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/skills-for-change/abcd-canada

Kristen