This has led to a long debate about the issue of participation, in which questions have been raised about the sustainability of these efforts and the extent to which rural people are – or are not – being empowered to make decisions for themselves.
The international association for Community Development (IACD) is the main global network for practitioners and scholars working in this field www.iacdglobal.org In the UK rural community development is seen as very important.
The Trust also funded national and international communities of practice to exchange experiences.
This included the International Association for Community Development and work around the potential impact of climate change on vulnerable rural communities and the need for more sustainable development approaches to land use.
They strive to promote entrepreneurship and increase the farm returns per food dollar to maintain the economy in rural areas.
This shift has created opportunities for rural colleges to play a part in the development of the communities in which they reside.