Community Resilience
Root Change collaboratively strengthens local capacity by working with community-based organizations and informal groups to identify assets, test and generate solutions to local challenges, engage in participatory planning processes, and use data to monitor progress.
Elevating community-generated solutions to stimulate local resilience
Root Change works with communities to build resilience in the face of unexpected shocks, such as natural disasters, economic disruptions, political changes, or technological shifts. We help residents, local organizations, and networks identify and leverage resources, local knowledge, and social capital to recover quickly, adapt, and strengthen resilience.
Our approach combines peer-driven change (PDC) initiatives with targeted local capacity-strengthening activities that emphasize community-generated solutions. Communities participate in social labs, lean experimentation, Constituent Voice feedback, and peer-to-peer learning, giving them tools to address immediate challenges while building long-term resilience.
By embedding principles of self-determination, mutual support, and collective financial tools, Root Change ensures communities not only withstand shocks but also create stronger, more sustainable economic and social systems.
Stories & Insights
Trust Capital: What Two Years of Participatory Action Research Taught Us About Economic Development
From the Community Power Studio: Knowledge Products in Practice
Development at the Speed of Trust: How Learning Is Helping Shape the ERC Way
Trusted Messengers: The Beating Heart of Community Outreach
Discover more news, research, projects updates, and resources about Community Resilience.
Community Resilience in Practice
Building Local Economic Development Across the U.S.: Root Change serves as the national learning partner for the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC), supporting more than 60 fellows and host organizations working to advance transformational economic development across the United States. Through convenings, peer learning, coaching, action research, and knowledge sharing, Root Change helps fellows, hosts, and partners strengthen local economic development efforts while building a national community of practice.
Empowering Families for Peer-Driven Economic Growth: Root Change is helping build a global peer-driven change movement through the Community Independence Initiative (CII), operating across the United States, Mexico, Colombia, the Philippines, Malawi, Liberia, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The model supports families in setting their own goals, strengthening social networks, sharing practical knowledge, and improving economic well-being through peer learning and direct investments.
Connecting Leaders to Strengthen Community Power: Root Change designed and facilitated learning exchanges that connect U.S.-based health equity organizations with grassroots movements around the world through the Community Power Learning Initiative sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The initiative strengthens community power by helping leaders learn from successful approaches to health, economic inclusion, and systems change in different contexts.
Strengthening Community Preparedness and Resilience: Root Change supports Listos California, a statewide disaster preparedness initiative, by designing learning systems, conducting community research, and facilitating cross-sector collaboration. Through peer researchers, focus groups, and statewide learning events, the effort helps vulnerable communities better prepare for and recover from emergencies.