Our Mission
The NEK Collaborative’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the NEK through coordinated economic and community development.
Our vision is a strong, vibrant Northeast Kingdom where we all thrive.
Our Operating Principles
Non-partisan Leadership: We accomplish this through seeking to understand, asking difficult questions, and taking risks.
Systemic Change: We accomplish this through long-term thinking, planning, and accountability.
Regional Unity: We accomplish this through cross-sector collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
“The Northeast Kingdom is a region unlike any other in culture, natural beauty- and structural issues for its inhabitants. The Collaborative serves as the site of convergence for the region’s concerns, and so becomes the informed voice of change for the better.”
How We Work
We bring people together to spark positive change in our communities. We create structures that bring partners together across service areas, sectors, municipal and political boundaries to provide solutions for the renewal of the Kingdom.
How we do it:
Build a Common Vision – We bring people together across politics, class, sectors, and geographic boundaries to tackle the challenging issues of our time and articulate clear visions for our region. Based on these conversations, we make a plan, set it in motion, then assess our results.
Develop Leadership Capacity – We build networks connecting across organizations, finding shared purpose and aligning work, and building a resilient web of trusting relationships to support coordinated and collective action on shared goals over the long term.
Connect to Resources – We build bridges between local, regional, and statewide actors. We connect local people and projects and partners to the critical capital, coaching, and connections they need to be successful.
We are from our region, we know our region, and are trusted in our region. We live where they act and offer an authentic voice, building understanding and relationships critical to making good decisions and working together across difference.
As an independent, non-partisan facilitator we are well-positioned to bring communities together to address fundamental challenges and develop plans that lead to direct and practical results.
We know that real transformation takes time and lasting support. We take the long view. We think long-term with an unwavering, multi-generational commitment to the communities where we work.
“The NEK has many talented people who are working hard to make our region healthy, dynamic, and prosperous. To best leverage those talents and efforts so that we make the most of our resources, we need to come together to find regional solutions.”
Our Process
From community feedback, we identify a pressing problem and then work together with the community to develop a plan, support collaboration, and monitor progress.
Engage community
Identify priorities
Create plan
Align partners & resources
Monitor & update
Celebrate success
REAP Zone Designation
In 1995, USDA Rural Development established the Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zones Initiative as a collaborative and citizen-led effort to enhance rural economic development and to develop a model for building a new rural economy for other areas. The REAP Zone status offers access to reserved funds from USDA Rural Development for new and developing projects. In 2000, USDA Rural Development designated the NEK region in Vermont as the fifth REAP Zone.
The NEK Collaborative serves as the backbone organization for the NEK REAP Zone and community partner for USDA Rural Development by ensuring that applicant projects address the goals outlined in a community-developed multi-jurisdictional plan. Members of the NEK Collaborative review the proposed projects and endorse those aligned with the CEDS Strategic Plan. The Collaborative encourages partnerships and the use of local and regional resources in the proposed project, helping to identify the potential partners and connections.
