Thrive Rural Framework: Foundational Element

The Thrive Rural Framework is a new tool to help you take stock, target action, and gauge progress on rural prosperity. We invite everyone involved in rural development — from local leaders to investors and philanthropists to state and national policymakers — to use this tool to spark new ways of thinking and acting to move communities, regions, and systems toward producing more widespread and equitable rural prosperity, health, and well-being.

The Foundational Element of the framework requires identifying and dismantling historical and ongoing discriminatory practices that disadvantage rural people and places. For each Building Block, at both the Local and Systems Levels, we ask: 

  • In our community, region, or system, how are people and places participating differently or experiencing worse or better results based on race, place, and class? 
  • What historical or existing exclusion is at work in policy, practices, leadership, or behaviors that is causing or perpetuating each of these differences? 
  • What is the change that is needed? What will it take in individual, organizational, or collaborative action to influence or make that change?
Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
Latest From Aspen CSG
Case Study
When Communities Keep Flooding: A Rural Environmental Justice Case Study

This short case study has insights and tips on address the causes and conditions contributing to flooding in rural places, as well as to envision and build thriving futures of equitable rural prosperity.

Event
Broadband technician working
Designing Scalable Co-Funding Solutions for Broadband and Digital Equity

Dec. 12th, 2023, 5PM

Join this webinar for way to unlock private and philanthropic contributions to help public broadband and digital inclusion funding reach underserved communities.

Blog
Natural disaster response workers moving sand bags
Rural Disaster Preparedness: Partnering for Resilience & Resources

Event recap blog with resources and big-picture insights on rural disaster preparedness.

Tool
Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design

CIRD empowers local citizens to use their unique artistic and cultural resources to guide local development and shape the future design of their communities.

Event
Field Based Rural Placemaking:  What Works Fast, Now, and on a Shoestring

Nov. 2nd, 2023, 2PM

Join this webinar for concrete placemaking strategies and takeaways relevant to rural communities of every size—even the most isolated and least resourced.

Blog
From Competition to Cooperation: Insights on Rural Wealth Creation

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