We envision a world that is sustainable, just, and prosperous for all. Our vision is of a world that is firmly based in local, collaborative, accessible, and just community interactions. Furthermore, we seek to create communities that are healthy and safe for all life. It is our belief that creative and bold solutions integrate understanding, appreciation, and respect for ecological processes into tangible improvements in our social and economic structures. One neighborhood, one community, one solution at time, we will build the world we know is possible.
In order to achieve our vision we have developed a three pointed strategy:
1) Build social capacity:
The NICE will work to provide programs and resources that will assist aspiring community organizers in achieving their goals. We seek to provide contextual learning experience for community members and students that simultaneously advance tangible community solutions and share the skills needed to create new ones. Our programs will utilize participatory learning and reflective processes to take learning from the blackboard to the blacktop and develop innovative new approaches to creating sustainable communities.
2) Create lasting community-based solutions:
The NICE will work with local student and youth organizers to campaign alongside community groups that are working to innovate and implement self sustaining and community-based sustainability projects in the Pacific Northwest. Common areas of focus are energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, local food, and waste reduction. Through partnering with community-based groups we hope to help community members who are taking the lead in building sustainable, prosperous, peaceful, and healthy communities.
3) Share our processes and solutions:
Each local program will produce a specific community-based solution that fits the needs of its community. These solutions can also serve as scalable and replicable models and assist new communities in developing their solution. By documenting our solutions, stories, and strategies we will help with the furthered success of our specific projects and serve as a resource for other communities seeking to undertake similar projects. Through the utilization of open source communication and social networking we will spread project ideas and successes and help build a supportive and adaptive community of solutionaries around the world.
