Community-Based Facilitation Training

Does your work depend on successful community engagement? Want to increase involvement and improve results? Learn from experts in the field of community-based facilitation about how to make your collaboration more equitable and successful!

Join us for Foundations of Community-Based Facilitation 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. 

Program Details

WHEN:  March 19 & 20, 2025 (8 am - 4:30 pm)

WHERE: Department of Forestry (900 Natural Resources Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22903)

COST: $725 (early bird through Jan. 30), $795 (regular) 

Sample Agenda

Sample Agenda Day One

8:30 am	Networking and Breakfast Foods
9:00 am	Welcome/Introductions
9:20 am	What is Facilitation?
9:50 am	DISCUSSION: Emerging Issues in Your Community
10:20 am	International Association of Facilitators (IAF) Core Ethics
10:40 am	BREAK
10:50 am	International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values
12:10 pm	SKILL BUILDING: Flip Chart Recording
12:30 pm	LUNCH (provided)
1:15 pm	Overview of 5 Keys to Effective Community Facilitation
1:30 pm	Meaningful Participation
2:00 pm	Listen for Understanding (part 1)
2:25 pm	BREAK
2:35 pm	Listen for Understanding (part 2)
3:20 pm	Consensus as a Facilitiation Tool + Skill
3:45 pm	Review

Scholarship Information

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 a letter indicating your need for financial assistance and the amount of assistance you are requesting to mkeppel@virginia.edu. All requests for assistance are confidential.