We believe that the complex issues facing our society, economy and environment need the engagement and energy of all sectors of our communities. Common Knowledge develops breakthrough community education and engagement programs that activate and align both expected and unexpected allies for sustainable social change.
Common Knowledge pilots and pioneer new modes of engagement, pushing the boundaries of our assumptions and expanding what is possible. Our most successful projects put community members at the center of the design because the steps we take to achieve meaningful inclusion also generate the insights for true innovation.
To us, social change is sustainable if:
- It starts with the innate desires and values of the community engaged in the change – based on a collective vision of goals for the future and a mutual understanding of the present situation.
- It is designed with a collaborative mindset that brings forth the best thinking of diverse interests.
- It develops and taps the renewable resources of community capacity (starting with a deep respect for the community’s wisdom and insights).
Common Knowledge is a team of “reflective practitioners” from a mix of disciplines dedicated to empowering communications and collaborative process. Our work is done through a mix of carefully selected client projects and grant-funded programs – all contributing to a cumulative inquiry about more inclusive and innovative approaches to public life.
While we are informed through our association with academics and foundations, our deepest learning comes from our direct field work in and with communities. Our “community-driven design” process has yielded some of our greatest insights about how to use existing untapped resources to accelerate positive social change.
