Community-Based Facilitation Training

IEN is excited to offer a new three-part certificate series for participants looking to grow their facilitation skills! Classes 1 and 2 are available individually or as part of the certificate series. 

The first part of the series, Foundations of Community-Based Facilitation, will be held on March 19 & 20, 2025, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Over two days, participants will learn facilitator roles & responsibilities and practice a range of core facilitator skills, including designing an agenda. This interactive training will provide numerous opportunities for participants to practice the skills they are learning and get feedback. 

Participants are able to register for class 1 or 2 independently but must complete all three classes, including the practicum, to receive their certificate. All three classes will be held in-person at the Dept. of Forestry Office in Charlottesville (900 Natural Resources Dr.). 

See the link at the bottom of this page to register. Registration is managed through Salesforce, which requires the creation of an account in order to proceed. Please contact Meredith Keppel (mkeppel@virginia.edu) if you need assistance with registration. 

Program Details

Class 1: Foundations of Community-Based Facilitation (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. March 19-20, 2025) 

cost: $795, early bird $725

Class 2: Community Engagement Design: Equitable Collaboration in Action (September 11, 2025) 

cost: $400, early bird $350

Class 3: Intensive Facilitation Practicum (December 11, 2025)

cost: $250 (email Meredith Keppel mkeppel@virginia.edu for registration)

Curricular Topics

Topics covered in the course will include:

• Designing an agenda
• The Principles of Equitable Collaboration, and incorporating them in you work
• International Association of Facilitators (IAF) and International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) core values
• Role play to practice key skills like active listening, summarizing, recording, curveballs, and more! 

Scholarship Information & Accommodations 

IEN recognizes that our society needs leaders who have a deep understanding of the impacts and opportunities of pressing natural resources, social, and economic challenges. We seek to invest in the careers of exceptional, passionate leaders from all backgrounds, and thus are offering two scholarships to members of underserved communities. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, please email mkeppel@virginia.edu and attach a letter indicating your need for financial assistance and the amount of assistance you are requesting. All requests for assistance are confidential. 

If you are in need of accommodations to support your participation, such as ASL-English interpreting services, accessible digital copies of programs, accessible seating, etc., please send your request to mkeppel@virginia.edu as early as possible and no later than Feb 28, 2024. Please include your name, contact email, date and name of the event, and the accommodation requested. We strive to make our events as accessible as possible for all who are interested in participating. Accessible parking spaces are available at the DOF facility, and the meeting space is located on the first floor.