Community developmental phases in place-based systems change¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The Community Ecocycle frames place-based systems change as moving through "dynamic, natural, and necessary developmental phases through which communities move." Rather than treating communities as static recipients of investment, the framework positions communities as developing entities whose current phase shapes their assets and needs. Funders use this framing to time and shape their engagement with communities appropriately.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Funders must assess which developmental phase a community is currently in before designing investments

Constraints¶

• The framework is scoped to place-based systems change efforts, not to other grantmaking contexts

Target Learners¶

• Funders and foundation staff

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Understanding community development as phased and dynamic to inform systems-change investment

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• Adaptive Cycles Framework
• Implicit and explicit dimensions of place-based systems change as complementary axes for funder assessment

Examples¶

• Funder reflection and action tool for place-based systems change investments
• Co-design investment approaches matched to a community's developmental phase

Key Sources¶

• Meg Long, Wanda Casillas, James Liou. (2021). The Community Ecocycle in Place-Based Systems Change: A Tool for Funder and Community Reflection and Action. Equal Measure and Mathematica. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/the-community-ecocycle-in-place-based-systems-change-a-tool-for-funder-and-community-reflection