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This book describes the evolution of the community development sector over the past 50 years, and it presents a framework and road map for how community development organizations can advance their mission through strategic partnerships that utilize their core competencies. The authors describe the current community development ecosystem, define a range of essential community development competencies, and demonstrate, through seven case studies, how using comparative advantages built on core competencies can improve outcomes for communities. By recognizing and leading with their competencies and strengths, organizations can bring their specialized areas of expertise to address complex and interconnected community challenges, and effectively meet their missions and objectives.

Navigating Community Development: Harnessing Comparative Advantages to Create Strategic Partnerships

1. Introduction                                                                                                   2. The Important Work of Community Development                                                          3. The Background and History of Community Development Organizations              4. Understanding the Community Development Ecosystem5. Community Development Core Competencies                                                   6. Advancing Community Development through Competencies and Comparative Advantages7. Case Studies of Partnerships Utilizing Comparative Advantages              8.  Lessons from the Case Studies                                                          9. The Community Development Ecosystem: The Next Generation             10. Implications for Community Development Practice                               11. Recommendations and Guide Posts for Navigating Community Development