Field-Building: Co-Governance Toolkit

How can we support the growing co-governance ecosystem?

The work of government transformation takes more than having an audacious vision. It takes tangible translation of strategy into tools and supports to make measurable change.

Nationally, we’ve seen growing enthusiasm for the concept of co-governance, a collection of participatory models and practices where government and communities intentionally aim to share power to drive fair and just outcomes. But despite that interest, there has been limited advice on how local leaders can bring co-governance to their community.

That’s where the work Lauren Burdette led with Race Forward comes in. As demand for more effective governance practices and a rejuvenation in democracy grows, so does the need for tools to help the people doing the work. Lauren conducted research and then co-facilitated a conference session with 10 teams of city government and community partners to design a tool to help groups implement co-governance practices. 

Toolkit development took four key steps: 

1. Conducting a landscape assessment on existing tools and resources
2. Needs Assessment with local leaders doing the work - what do they need? What is missing? 
3. Creating a draft based on that feedback.
4.  Feedback from future users  (repeat at least twice!) and Iteration.

The 2024 Facing Race pre-conference session which led to the development of the Co-Governing for a Multi-Racial Democracy Toolkit had the following results:

• 94% of participants felt the day was a valuable use of time
• 91% of participants feel very or somewhat prepared to lead co-governance work in their cities/states
• 80% of participants believed they would continue to advance and integrate co-governance into their work when they return home.