A community’s future cannot be handed to it from the outside. It must be imagined, debated, chosen, and built by the people who live there. Outside organizations like ICN can bring tools, experience, contacts, and encouragement, but they cannot replace local wisdom. When support becomes control, even good intentions can weaken the very ownership a… Read more: Community Self-Determination- Guidance Without Control

Every community has conversations about what should change. People talk about better services, stronger local businesses, safer streets, youth opportunities, housing, transportation, health, culture, and the future they want for their families. Too often, however, these conversations remain scattered. They happen at kitchen tables, in community halls, online, or after public meetings, but they do… Read more: From Conversation to Tangible Local Action

In every community, growth is often measured by new buildings, larger budgets, better services, or more people moving in. But those signs can hide a harder truth. A community may grow on paper while many of its people still feel invisible. Real growth begins when someone who has stopped attending meetings decides to come back.… Read more: Belonging is the foundation of community growth

Industrial designers Altino Alex and Savin Dimov have just unveiled an innovative product geared towards helping families around the world reduce their food waste. The Bubble Food Tracker is an app-controlled food tracker that monitors products in your kitchen, keeping you aware of what you have in stock and your regular consumption habits, all to bring you closer to a zero-waste lifestyle. To view more click here

Membertou, Shalene Johnson,a mother of 4, works full-time, does volunteer work in her community and also owns a small e-commerce business.  She came to ICN with idea of launching her brick and mortar gift shop while growing  her e-commerce business. Having gone through the discover process, Shaylene was accepted as an Entrepreneurial Intern in ICN Blueprints… Read more: Blueprints for Success – Growing an eCommerce Business