Groundbreaking digital framework puts powerful tools in the hands of community development leaders
In a significant leap forward for neighborhood-scale development, we will unveil our new Interactive Just Communities Protocol in May – a revolutionary digital framework designed to transform how communities’ approach racial equity and environmental regeneration in development projects.
The Interactive Protocol represents a big improvement in the usability and responsiveness of the tool,” explains Rob Bennett. “It’s a powerful tool for exploration that allows communities to discover and implement solutions tailored to their specific needs.”
A Comprehensive Framework for Action
The Protocol delivers a practical implementation framework and verification standard that empowers resident leaders, community organizations, developers, and municipalities to create more equitable and sustainable neighborhoods. Built around three core elements – Pillars, Commitments, and Actions – the framework helps communities:
- Prioritize racial equity and climate resilience throughout all development phases
- Establish clear goals with measurable targets for success
- Create collaborative governance structures to drive meaningful change
- Build comprehensive roadmaps guiding future development projects, programs, and policies
Powerful Tools at Your Fingertips
The newly interactive format makes Just Communities’ equity and regeneration framework more accessible and engaging than ever before. Users can now explore:
- A comprehensive set of 22 objectives with matching indicators and targets to guide decision-making and impact measurement
- 17 implementation actions to navigate development phases from planning to execution
- Practical tools specifically designed to improve racial equity and climate resilience outcomes
- Resources supporting collaboration and trust-building between community stakeholders, public agencies, developers, and investors
- Guidance for identifying key trends and establishing baseline conditions
- Strategic approaches to designing and implementing comprehensive work plans
- Templates for managing Just Communities Certified endorsement submissions
- Online resources, case studies, and best practices supporting continuous learning
Guidance for All Community Development Stakeholders
For community leaders, the Protocol offers practical guidance on governance structures, engagement strategies, and tools to strengthen stakeholder trust. Professionals managing neighborhood-scale projects gain detailed guidance for project scoping, partnership development, and performance road-mapping. Most importantly, the Protocol creates a shared language and vision for what truly equitable, regenerative development looks like in practice.
Stay tuned for launch day!