Community-based development is an approach that involves local citizens and decision-makers in the exploration of opportunities and issues, planning and action for the purpose of increasing a community’s social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being.

EnCompass Consultants can assist you in working towards your community development goals using methods and processes best suited to your community’s context and focus. We have a long history of supporting public consultation, community planning and resource management with communities throughout British Columbia.

The team at EnCompass has extensive experience working with cultural and philosophical diversity, both in Canada and internationally. We work from a “participatory action research” approach that encompasses community knowledge and uses processes that are respectful, affirming and inclusive of differences. We recognize that sustainable community development involves more than quick fixes and expedient actions. Based on a collaborative planning model, we will work with you to facilitate community processes where stakeholders are able to explore issues, underlying causes and opportunities and develop action plans from a systems level perspective. Our goal is to support your community’s long term goals while building leadership and participatory capacities.

Our background in knowledge management and geographic information systems (GIS) allows us to assist communities in creating and presenting information in accessible formats for community distribution, community meetings and planning sessions. We can help with access and presentation of existing, relevant data sources such as maps, databases and reports on past research and development.

Services that we offer include:

• Participatory Action Research support in all phases
• Facilitation of Community Consultation
• Facilitation of Situational Analysis and Strategic Planning
• Capacity Building for Communication, Leadership, Facilitation and Team Work
• Proposal Writing

EnCompass Consultants and associates utilize a variety of innovative, participatory methods for community development processes, including:

• Appreciative Inquiry
• The ICA Workshop Method and Focused Conversations
• Cafés and Dialogue Circles
• Open Space Technology
• Playback Narrative Theatre

In addition to working with your community representatives, we are happy to work collaboratively with other consultants involved in your community and, as needed, we are able to bring in colleagues with particular areas of expertise.