Better Neighbours, Better Neighbourhoods (BN2)
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A new resource to help neighbourhoods become more cohesive, participatory, and powerful.
Combining digital and in-person organizing is the future of neighbourhood associations. Most neighbourhoods today have both online networks and in-person meetings, but the two don’t always work together well.
The purpose of Better Neighbours, Better Neighbourhoods (BN2) is to help neighbours strengthen connections, figure out where they stand as a neighbourhood, get some things done that need doing…and have fun in the process. It is a strategy designed to:
- Increase the number and diversity of people involved in their neighbourhoods
- Amplify the voice of the neighbourhood with local governments and school systems
- Deal productively with differences and divisions between neighbours
- Get things done to improve the neighbourhood
BN2 is a whole new way of organizing communities at the grassroots level.
Center for Democracy Innovation at the National Civic League and PlaceSpeak are partnering to build out BN2. We will offer free assistance to communities who want to pilot the process, including a PlaceSpeak platform for their neighbourhood.
BN2 consists of ten modules/sessions that combine in-person and online activities, anchored by a series of explainer videos. The information and subsequent interactions generated by each module are hosted on PlaceSpeak.
“Face-to-face interactions and digital communication have unique strengths and shortcomings, and neighbourhoods need both to succeed,” says Matt Leighninger, who directs the Center for Democracy Innovation at the National Civic League. Leighninger leads the Center’s work in strengthening democratic infrastructure, scaling up engagement efforts, and measuring the quality of engagement and democracy.
“Organizing neighbourhoods on an ongoing basis is a challenge that BN2 is tackling by establishing a program to regularlize participation at a hyperlocal level” says PlaceSpeak Founder and CEO, Colleen Hardwick. “Coordinating in person and online activities is a critical element to advancing successful community engagement and ultimately strengthening local democracy”.
About the National Civic League’s Center for Democracy Innovation:
The mission of the National Civic League’s Center for Democracy Innovation is to understand, test, and disseminate innovations that can make democracy more participatory, equitable, and productive. We work to sustain democracy by inviting people to help redesign the “civic infrastructure” of their communities, scale democracy through strategies for inclusive engagement to improve equity and governance, and measure the quality of democracy and engagement, particularly in ways that lift up the views and ratings of residents.
The real work to improve democracy is happening at the community level. Local leaders of all kinds are generating new ideas and practices to help people make decisions and solve problems together. The Center examines, supports, and shares these innovations through hands-on technical assistance in communities.
About PlaceSpeak:
PlaceSpeak is a pioneering civic network that builds stronger communities and strengthens public trust. PlaceSpeak’s mission is to enable evidence-based decision-making and accountability. It accomplishes this by combining online proof of residency and privacy-by-design data architecture. PlaceSpeak’s high-level vision reflects its founding commitment to democratic principles. PlaceSpeak – Certified B Corporation – B Lab Global
For more information contact:
Matt Leighninger
Colleen Hardwick
