Community Engagement

Community Engagement is essential for local and state government agencies aiming to build trust, encourage public participation, and ensure that policies reflect residents’ needs and concerns. Governments can foster stronger connections with their communities through outreach programs, public forums, and collaborative decision-making. This directory offers articles on community engagement and related topics like Community Development, which focuses on improving the overall well-being and sustainability of communities through targeted initiatives.

While each state’s reopening schedule and requirements may vary, there are best practices for local governments to follow when reopening after COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions lift
The federal Election Assistance Commission offers 7 key to-do items for local governments and election commissions
Citing virus concerns, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that every voter in the state would be receiving a November ballot by mail
Unexpected superheroes coordinate illegal dumping response in Lima, Peru.
The city of Boston is using a popular Facebook meme to call out use of “space savers” during snow events.
Amid police force controversies, many municipalities are strengthening their community policing efforts with increased resources and new strategies
State and local emergency management agencies are looking for new ways to monitor and use information posted on social media
The Community Tables blueprint provides mayors and city executives with specific steps and tools to better address the critical issue of food insecurity
“What does it mean for a city to have character?” How does yours show it?
Kansas City, MO., and Cisco signed an agreement to deploy a Smart+Connected City framework to transform urban services and enhance the citizen experience
Governments use technology to keep residents connected and safe during severe weather.
Crowdsourcing, or using the power of the Internet and social media to “virtually” bring together large groups of people in support of a cause or event, has successfully been used to help emergency responders during disaster management.
Lessons from horrific events offer sound advice for emergency managers in better preparing outreach communications.
The NLC and Knight Foundation studied multiple cities and their experiences with technology as it applies to civic engagement. We provide the key data points from this study as well as snippets from a new Pew Internet & American Life Project on public discourse
Despite spending $9 million on city-wide renovations, a survey of residents in Boynton Beach, Florida, still associated the city with crime, guns and bums. Read how the city pursued a critical rebranding and reinvention strategy.
The real first responders in a widespread destructive incident are those who are immediately on hand, including the survivors.
Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Office is awarding $1.5 million in grants towards gun violence reduction programs with proven effectiveness.
American Heart Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have grants for states and local governments to address childhood obesity and support existing programs.
National Endowment for the Humanities is offering local governments and partners grants for museums, libraries and archives preserving cultural heritage.