Incubator Week ONE

Hello! And welcome to week one of the Making Great Communities Incubator. Everyone is welcome here and we so pleased you have joined us!

This week we are going to start with a workshop on how to define your why and begin to unravel what your story might be, the reason you are here, the thing that you care about, what drives you. It is super important to reflect on this, to anchor a project in your personal ideas, beliefs and think about the true reason you are spending the time to commit to making great things happen, and to who you want to work with on this!

Everyone will be coming to join this project Incubator for a a slightly different reason. And thats what makes this project so special! We are not going to be telling you what to do, you are going to be bringing your interests and the things you care about to us! So exciting!

“So, What I hope is, not only can the money keep flowing through Kiva, thats a very positive and meaningful thing, but I hope that Kiva can blur those lines. Like I said, between the traditional rich and poor categories that we are taught to see in this world. This false dichotomy of us and them, have and have not. Because as that happens, we can feel free to interact in a way that’s more open, more just, and more creative. To engage with each other and help each other.”

Jessica Jackley, founder of Kiva

If you’re not 100% sure what you idea is, or what a project might look like for you and your community, thats also fine. We can help you define this and bring to the surface what you might do throughout this project…

Here are some starting points or themes that might be core drivers for those of you who don’t yet know your idea: 

• Tackling inequalities: do you see inequality, unfair situations, are you driven to make a difference and support others who face inequality in society, or a community? perhaps you can envisgae a better society and want to build strong communities from the ground up? You might wish to help, offer free support, take the pressure off some people’s lives? Maybe you can see where the inequality starts or how it impacts people, and want to make change?
• Creativity as connection: Do you feel the power of creativity, and want to realise a project that highlights how impactful creative action can be on health, wellbeing and building relationships or expressing yourself? Maybe you want to start a creative youth club, or get people outside more using art and making? Perhaps you could use creativity to build a campaign and make banners or sign?
• Thinking about health and wellbeing: Are you interested in exploring the health and wellbeing of a community, making supporting people to make small positive changes to their wellbeing through active lifestyles, or learn about health conditions by attending a tea and cake morning in a library – help build friendships and connection for positive wellbeing, and support people to tackle health issues?  
• Climate emergency, sustainability and the environment: do you want to engage people in the climate emergency, educate and support or teach and explore themes important to you. Perhaps its how your community can make small collective actions that can make big scale change, or maybe you want to start a movement, action and campaign?
• Community growth, development and connection: Do you know the value of meaningful connections, sense of feeling part of something, being connected and have a place or people to turn to? Maybe your community has a space that isn’t being utilised and you wnat to start opening it up, making feel welcome and joining in with activities. perhaps there is disconnection in your community due to perceived differences and cultures, maybe you can find a way to connect us all, help us talk and learn from one another to build strong communities and personal relationships across perceived cultural differences…
• Knowledge exchange, training and learning: Are you an educator, do you have information you can share or facilitation skills where you can support people to come together and learn with each other? Perhaps you are interested in working in a school or education setting and you wish to gain experience in delivering taught content, you could start or write a course in an area of your interest, or deliver some workshops for your community?

“Being yourself is a revolutionary act. And in a world that wants you to whisper, I choose to YELL!”

Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Some inspiring links?