Virginia Solutions Launches Two Pilot Projects
Over
the past five years IEN has been working with the Virginia Association
for Community Conflict Resolution to increase capacity throughout the
state for using collaborative approaches to community problem solving.
The effort has involved training, outreach, and education to communities
served by the state’s various community mediation centers.
According to IEN Director Frank Dukes, the Virginia Solutions initiative builds on those outreach and education efforts, and establishes a formal mechanism for stakeholders to collaboratively design action plans and implementation strategies.
Dukes said a key feature of Virginia Solutions projects that will distinguish them from standard multi-party mediation processes is that a respected high-profile leader will be appointed as convener as the process is initiated. The convener will work with local and state government, citizens, and facilitators to help bring together a multiparty Solutions Team.
Two community mediation centers will serve as regional coordinators for Virginia Solutions projects, and will work with IEN to assemble the Solutions Teams and appoint conveners. Solutions Teams will work together to design action plans and sign a Declaration of Cooperation in which parties will identify their respective responsibilities for implementing the plan.
In addition to launching the pilot projects, Virginia Solutions start-up activities include active outreach to county and city administrators and planners, who are being encouraged to inquire about the program when faced with difficult projects involving multiple parties. A broad array of partners has been participating in a Solutions Planning Group to refine the program’s format and operations, and EIN is working to pursue further grant support beyond the pilot project funding.
For more information about Virginia Solutions and its planning activities, contact Christine Gyovai, Virginia Solutions Project Coordinator, or call IEN at 434-924-1970.