The quarterly, community-led Community of Practice (CoP) convened on August 17, 2024, at Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) Community Hall, gathering 16 community members from various grassroots groups and organizations. This vibrant event, which was entirely planned, implemented, and facilitated by community leaders, featured four interconnected sessions aimed at fostering collaboration, learning, and strategic planning.
The event began with a warm welcome from Naz Aitkulova, a community leader from the Kyrgyz Canada Association. Naz led an engaging introduction session, setting a collaborative tone and encouraging participants to connect and share their experiences.
In the second segment, Manita from the WMEN – Nepalese Women Group presented the purpose and benefits of the Community of Practice in community development. Her interactive session sparked lively discussions, with participants actively engaging in dialogue, asking questions, and gaining a deeper understanding of how CoP can drive positive change in their communities.
The third segment, facilitated by Lal Jan from CIRCLE International, involved guiding the participants through a SWOT analysis of their community initiatives. This strategic exercise allowed the group to collectively identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to their ongoing and future projects, providing valuable insights to enhance their impact.
The final segment included refreshments and networking, which allowed participants to build new connections and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
The CoP proved invaluable for community members to share knowledge, build relationships, and collaboratively explore strategies for advancing their work. The event concluded with a shared commitment to continue fostering a supportive and resourceful network that empowers grassroots initiatives.
