Thrive Rural Framework Assessment Worksheet

We have the opportunity to build thriving, prosperous, healthy rural communities and Native nations where each and every person belongs and lives with dignity. We call this outcome: equitable rural prosperity. To get there, we need ways of thinking and acting that are powerful enough to move communities to action, build shared purpose across regions, and change the status quo.

The Thrive Rural Framework weaves together current community innovations and tested approaches for a wide range of issues integral to achieving equitable rural prosperity that is both sustainable and durable.

This worksheet will help you use the framework to consider your work and what action might be next based on where you are right now.

Helpful Links:
  • The Foundational Element of the framework requires identifying and dismantling historical and ongoing discriminatory practices that disadvantage rural people and places. Much historical and existing exclusion has negatively affected rural people and rural areas based on race, place, and class equity.
  • To spark new ways of thinking, the Thrive Rural Framework is designed to be looked at in many ways. At its core, the framework identifies building blocks for equitable prosperity at the local and systems levels.
Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
Latest From Aspen CSG
publications
outdoor rec report page cover
Mapping a New Terrain: Call to Action

As new rural outdoor recreation economies take root, we can meet this moment by improving how we do outdoor recreation development to better support rural families, businesses, and workers, create more sustainable and equitable economic systems, and improve local health and wellbeing.

event
Wealth Creation in Rural and Indigenous Places

Sep. 19th, 2023, 2PM

Learn how rural practitioners are advancing equitable prosperity and economic development in a way that embraces and strengthens the unique assets of rural regions.

blog-posts
WealthWorks: A Powerful Tool for Thriving Rural Places

WealthWorks is an approach to doing economic development differently that inspired and continues to inform the Thrive Rural Framework. Learn more about the WealthWorks approach.

blog-posts
Broadband technician working
Broadband Resources

A collection of broadband resources for funding, advocacy, and community program opportunities for rural community leaders.

blog-posts
collaborating partners
How To Organize a Rural Action Infrastructure

Discussion with rural leaders on the opportunity equitable outdoor recreation economies pose to rural areas.

blog-posts
Queer youth in celebratory gathering
Rural and Native Celebrations of the LGBTQ+ Community

A collection of rural, queer organizations and stories about rural communities and Native nations celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Explore these moments to learn more about how queer people are celebrated in rural spaces. 

media
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Rural Policy Resources

A collection of resources provided by the Brookings Institution emerging from their rural research.