About the Just Communities Accredited Practitioner Program

The Just Communities Accredited Practitioner (AP) program is a comprehensive continuing education and learning platform to support urban planning, design, and development professionals committed to promoting regenerative and equitable development practices, including the use of the Just Communities Protocol in their work. The AP program aims to train a new generation of leaders who are dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives.

Who is Just Communities AP For?

Urban planners and designers
Urban and community developers
Economic development professionals
Public officials and policymakers
Sustainability and climate resiliency practitioners
Resident leaders and community organizers

What Participants Are Saying

What impresses me the most is how Just Communities will have an impact on the entire community. – Franklin Mack, Community Organizer, Atlanta, GA
What an impressive team! The training was stellar. – Sheba Ross, HSK Industries, Global Practice Director, Cities and Communities, Partner, Just Communities AP
The course materials were very comprehensive, and the facilitators made us aware of its real life and practical uses. – Alyssa Burton Biohabitats

Why Become a Just Communities AP

The Just Communities Accredited Practitioner (AP) credential helps practitioners stand out as leaders in equitable and regenerative development, build critical skills in project planning, governance and performance-based implementation, and gain access to a knowledgeable and sophisticated network of professionals and change makers.

The urban and community development field must solve increasingly complex problems.

Our generation of community and urban development practitioners and community leaders is being called upon to address a growing number of intricate and interconnected challenges, such as widening economic disparities, climate change, and housing shortages. The Just Communities AP program equips practitioners with a powerful and practical framework and verification program, along with access to leaders and training to shape, develop, and manage comprehensive community-scale regeneration projects.

The rate of technological change is accelerating.

The rapid acceleration of building and vehicle electrification, clean energy deployment, and infrastructure investments presents a unique opportunity to significantly improve the quality of life across our communities—particularly in our most underserved and climate-vulnerable areas. Just Communities offers training and tools that empower communities to build multi-stakeholder partnerships to create comprehensive implementation roadmaps that demonstrably improve social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Addressing racial equity and climate resiliency is crucial.

Our cities and communities are looking for strategies to effectively address the impacts of systemic racial inequality and the growing number of climate change-related events. In response, we designed the Just Communities Protocol and AP program to help build foundational knowledge in the areas of racial equity, climate resilience, and sustainability, with a focus on comprehensive metrics and actions to help guide practitioners in all aspects of community-scale organizing, planning, project implementation, and measurement.

Just Communities shows your commitment to positive change.

As a Just Communities AP, you are making an important contribution to the next generation of community development and urban regeneration. As part of our community, you will have access to 1) ongoing training, workshops, and webinars to expand your knowledge; 2) relevant case studies, best practices, and resources through the Just Communities Information Exchange; and 3) a supportive community of global change-makers dedicated to advancing racial equity and climate resilience.

If you’re interested in learning more about the AP program or are currently an EcoDistricts AP looking for addition information on the transition of your credential, contact us.