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CED Curriculum & Training
A Bottom-Up Approach to Community Economic Development is a curriculum designed to help participants empower themselves and shape the future of their communities. This comprehensive program engages a diverse group of community stakeholders, including residents, local business owners, organizational leaders, and local government officials. Participants will explore the principles, strategies, and practical steps of a bottom-up approach to economic development.
Across the globe, communities face complex challenges ranging from food insecurity, housing insecurity, safety, employment, education and more. Traditional top-down approaches often fail to address the unique needs and aspirations of local residents.
The curriculum offers a different path: a resident-driven, bottom-up approach that places individuals at the forefront of decision-making and action. We believe that true economic development begins with the people it aims to serve. By empowering individuals and communities to identify their strengths, address challenges, and chart their own paths, we lay the groundwork for sustainable, inclusive growth.
Throughout this curriculum, participants will:
Define Community Economic Development
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of community economic development by exploring its principles, goals, and the importance of resident-led initiatives.
Explore the Planning Process
- Learn the step-by-step process of developing a community economic development plan—from assessing needs and priorities to implementing strategies and evaluating outcomes.
Embrace Collaboration and Engagement
- Understand the vital role of collaboration and community engagement in driving economic development efforts. Explore strategies for fostering partnerships, mobilizing resources, and engaging residents in decision-making.
Utilize Data and Metrics
- Discover the value of data-driven decision-making in economic development planning. Learn how to collect, analyze, and leverage data to inform strategies, measure progress, and drive continuous improvement.
Promote Equity and Inclusion
- Explore strategies to ensure equity and inclusion in economic development initiatives, ensuring all community members have access to opportunities and resources.
Build Capacity and Leadership
- Develop the skills, knowledge, and leadership capacities necessary to lead effective economic development efforts within your community.
Take Action
- Apply learning in real-world contexts with tools and resources to initiate and sustain community-driven economic development projects.
Who Is This For?
This curriculum is designed to benefit a wide range of community members, each playing a vital role in the overall development and sustainability of the community. Residential stakeholders and neighborhood advocates, will gain the knowledge necessary to actively contribute to local decision-making processes. Service providers, including healthcare, social service, and nonprofit organizations, will be better equipped to offer holistic support by understanding the interconnected needs of residents and adopting a more integrated, bottom-up approach.
Educators will find value in learning new strategies for incorporating community development principles into their teaching, helping to inspire and engage students in understanding the importance of economic empowerment and social responsibility.
Youth, who represent the future of the community, will be empowered through tailored programs that foster leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.
Additionally, local businesses and entrepreneurs will benefit from the curriculum by gaining insight into cooperative economic models that emphasize community collaboration, providing pathways for sustainable growth and wealth-building. Policymakers and local government officials may also be able to use the curriculum as a tool to better align policies with the community’s needs.
