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Liana Buzea

This is a complex course on the concept of developing community projects.

Part #1 focuses on building your foundation. We look at perspectives, roles, broader understanding of your engagement.In terms of the learning experience, this part supports you to finding answers concerning:

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This is a complex course on the concept of developing community projects.

Part #1 focuses on building your foundation. We look at perspectives, roles, broader understanding of your engagement.In terms of the learning experience, this part supports you to finding answers concerning:

  1. WHY do you want to build a community project?

  2. WHAT is the field you might activate in or collaborate with?

  3. WHAT are the roles in a project and what type of mentality & skills does each one require?

  4. Commonly overlooked aspects by community activists: personal growth, values, deal-breakers, and agendas (yours vs. others).

Part #2 focuses on explaining the actual structure of a project (from an administrative perspective).In terms of a learning experience, this part offers concrete insights into:

  1. Building the project: people, commitment, how to let other people in.

  2. Milestones: what they are, insights into building them sustainably, and a working example.

  3. Step by step project presentation - your first connection to obtaining partners.

  4. A perspective on legal aspects and working with law enforcers (several foundational principles).

Part #3 focuses on teambuilding. In terms of a learning experience, it offers tools & insights concerning:

  1. What are the key people in the project, what their work means, what their skills and background should be

  2. Three videos about informal relationships, difficult team dynamics and a perspective on ethics when it comes to community projects.

Part #4 focuses on communication. In terms of a learning experience, it offers concrete working documents and step-by-step explanations concerning:

  1. The communication strategy

  2. The creative brief

Part #5 focuses on fundraising. In terms of a learning experience, it offers both working documents as well as experience-based recommendations for a healthy community project

  1. Downloadable and editable work documents

  2. Real cases from my years of experience in community projects

Part #6. focuses on legal aspects, working with public administration & an introduction into logistics. In terms of the learning experience, it offers both working documents as well as shared knowledge based on concrete community projects experiences.

Part #7 focuses on running the actual events. In terms of the learning experience, it offers both working documents as well as shared knowledge based on concrete past experience.

  1. Preparing for the event day

  2. Running the actual day

  3. After the event/action day.

Part# 8, the closure, contains not just a goodbye but also a recommendation from me when building community projects.

This course is built from:

  • 33 content videos (ranging from 20 to 30 minutes in length; each with an executive summary at the beginning)

  • Downloadable & editable documents (so that you have concrete documents to begin with)

  • Professional suggestions from me(in 16+ years of activity I've been through professional challenge, crises, breakdowns, start overs, etc.)

Note.  This course is intended as a structured discussion and practice curriculum for building community projects. If you seek a certification, please remember this is not it. This is a knowledge shared and concrete guideline for making your projects happen.

Change the world through community projects.

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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Promotes personal growth by considering one's purpose and values in community activism
In-depth analysis of challenges and nuances in team dynamics for effective collaboration
Provides step-by-step guidance on building and executing communication strategies
Offers pragmatic fundraising advice based on real-world experiences
Shares legal insights on working with law enforcers for community projects
Emphasizes the importance of planning and logistics for successful event execution

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Build Community Projects with these activities:
Watch a video tutorial on community building
Watching a video tutorial on community building will help you to learn the basics of community building quickly and easily.
Browse courses on Community Building
Show steps
  • Find a relevant tutorial
  • Watch the tutorial
Read "The Courage to Teach"
Reviewing this book will help you to understand the challenges and rewards of building a community and will inspire you to be a more effective community builder.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Reflect on the book's key ideas
  • Write a short summary of the book
Practice facilitating group discussions
Practicing facilitating group discussions will help you to develop the skills that you need to lead effective community building meetings and events.
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Show steps
  • Find a group to practice with
  • Prepare for your discussion
  • Facilitate your discussion
  • Reflect on your experience
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Attend a community building conference or workshop
Attending a community building conference or workshop will help you to connect with other people who are passionate about community building and to learn from their experiences.
Browse courses on Community Building
Show steps
  • Find a relevant event
  • Register for the event
  • Attend the event
  • Follow up after the event
Develop a community building plan
Developing a community building plan will help you to map out your goals and objectives and to identify the steps that you need to take to achieve them.
Browse courses on Community Building
Show steps
  • Define your goals and objectives
  • Identify your target audience
  • Develop your strategies
  • Create your budget
  • Evaluate your plan
Start a small community project
Starting a small community project will give you the opportunity to apply the principles of community building in a real-world setting.
Browse courses on Community Building
Show steps
  • Identify a need in your community
  • Develop a plan for your project
  • Recruit volunteers
  • Implement your project
  • Evaluate your project
Volunteer for a community building organization
Volunteering for a community building organization will give you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in community building and to make a difference in your community.
Browse courses on Community Building
Show steps
  • Find a relevant organization
  • Contact the organization
  • Volunteer your time
  • Reflect on your experience
Create a blog post or article about community building
Creating a blog post or article about community building will help you to deepen your understanding of the topic and to share your knowledge with others.
Browse courses on Community Building
Show steps
  • Choose a topic
  • Research your topic
  • Write your blog post or article
  • Promote your blog post or article

Career center

Learners who complete How to Build Community Projects will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Community Organizer
Community Organizers work to build and empower communities by bringing people together to address common issues and concerns. They may work in a variety of settings, such as community organizations, labor unions, and political campaigns. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in community organizing and mobilization.
Fundraising Manager
Fundraising Managers develop and implement fundraising campaigns for nonprofit organizations and other organizations. They may work in a variety of settings, such as nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and hospitals. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in fundraising and development.
Outreach Coordinator
Outreach Coordinators work to connect organizations with the communities they serve. They may be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as developing and implementing outreach programs, managing community partnerships, and providing support to community members. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in community engagement and outreach.
Community Planner
Community Planners work with local governments and community organizations to plan and develop communities. They may be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as developing land use plans, zoning regulations, and transportation plans. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in community planning and development.
Nonprofit Program Manager
Nonprofit Program Managers oversee the implementation of programs for nonprofit organizations. They may be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as developing program budgets, managing staff, and evaluating program outcomes. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in nonprofit program management and evaluation.
Grant Writer
Grant Writers research and write grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations and other organizations. They may work in a variety of settings, such as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and consulting firms. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in grant writing and fundraising.
Community Development Manager
Community Development Managers work with local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses to improve the quality of life in communities. They may be responsible for a variety of tasks, such as planning and implementing community development projects, managing community outreach programs, and fundraising for community initiatives. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a comprehensive overview of the community project development process, from planning to implementation.
Community Health Worker
Community Health Workers provide health education and support to individuals and families in their communities. They may work in a variety of settings, such as community health centers, schools, and homeless shelters. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in community health and outreach.
Event Coordinator
Event Coordinators plan and execute events, such as conferences, festivals, and fundraisers. They may work in a variety of settings, such as corporations, event planning companies, and nonprofit organizations. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in event planning and management.
Nonprofit Director
Nonprofit Directors oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations and are responsible for a variety of tasks, such as fundraising, program development, and staff management. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a comprehensive overview of the nonprofit sector and the skills needed to manage a nonprofit organization effectively.
Public Administrator
Public Administrators oversee the implementation of public policies and programs and provide support to elected officials. They may work in a variety of settings, such as local government agencies, state agencies, and non-profit organizations. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in public administration and policy development.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations and help to build relationships with the media and the public. They may work in a variety of settings, such as corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in public relations and media relations.
Social Worker
Social Workers help people navigate social services and resources and provide support for a variety of challenges, including poverty, homelessness, and mental illness. They may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and community centers. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a comprehensive understanding of the community project development process, as well as the skills needed to work effectively with community members.
Public Policy Analyst
Public Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues and recommend policy changes. They may work in a variety of settings, such as government agencies, think tanks, and advocacy organizations. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in public policy analysis and development.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan and execute projects, such as construction projects, software development projects, and marketing campaigns. They may work in a variety of settings, such as corporations, government agencies, and consulting firms. This course would be helpful for someone in this role because it provides a strong foundation in project management and execution.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Build Community Projects.
Approaches community building from an assets-based model that shifts the focus from deficits to assets. It reinforces the ideas of the course, but would add more conceptual depth as a supplemental text.
Presents a compelling vision for a more just and equitable economy, exploring the concept of community capitalism and providing practical examples of its implementation.
Provides a theoretical underpinning for understanding the social and economic forces that are acting as headwinds against many community development efforts today.
Provides an overview of community organizing and development theory and practice. It valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the field of community organizing.
Focuses on the role of the public landscape and historic preservation on the social and economic life of a community. For any project focusing on placemaking and the built environment, this useful theoretical and historical text.
This classic work of sociology foundational text on the role that social capital plays in community development and economic growth.
This comprehensive handbook provides a global perspective on community development, covering various topics such as participatory planning, economic development, and social inclusion.

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