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Collaboration DC

Launched by DC Agenda, a local civic entity, Collaboration DC became a project of SFCG-USA in June 2004 and continued until the end of 2006.

Supporting Major School Reform
Collaboration DC provided expert consultation and facilitation to community engagement on public school improvement, a top priority for DC leaders and residents. This began with assistance to the District of Columbia Education Compact in 2004 and 2005, and to a large scale participatory process on school facilities in 2006. In 2007 Collaboration DC continued to provide key facilitation support to a series of public meetings by the new school chancellor.

Demonstrating the Power of Collaboration in Community Development
Collaboration DC worked over a period of two and one-half years with residents, community leaders and neighbourhood organizations in Near Southeast-Southwest DC, the site of large scale development. The pressing issue is whether a mixed income community can be preserved and just as important, the lives of residents, and particularly the low wealth population, improved as a positive impact of new investment. One pressing need was to build bridges and collaborative relationships within the community and overcome historic division, distrust and separation. Through workshops, roundtables and regular community facilitation Collaboration DC catalyzed formation of the Near SE-SW Community Benefits Coordinating Committee, and supported its new role as a unifying, proactive actor on behalf of residents. The CBCC now works with other key actors, including important community based organizations and elected officials, to gain concrete benefits from developers and development projects. An anticipated achievement is a new workforce development center in the neighbourhood.

Building DC’s “Collaborative Capacity”

  • Convening a DC Practitioner Roundtable. An extended forum in 2006 examined innovative local civic engagement efforts.

  • Providing training in negotiation and conflict resolution for local nonprofits and training programs such as the DC Neighborhood College.

  • Training youth facilitators.

An Ongoing Resource
Collaboration DC continues as a network of practitioners committed to promoting collaborative and participatory public process in the District of Columbia. This network is coordinated by the Community Building Institute. Contact collaborationdc@gmail.com.