Tigan, of IDCE, assists National Urban Initiatives Competition

In anticipation of congressional interest in new and creative urban initiatives and the need for the national administration’s attention to the domestic agenda, Clark University and other organizations are seeking the submission of proposal abstracts to a National Urban Initiatives Competition.

The program is seeking proposals that are practical, creative and well rooted in theory. Abstracts should translate from theory to model or vice versa. Two key elements of the competitive criteria will be financial feasibility and practicality of implementation. An award of $20,000 will be given to winners in each of the three categories:

1) Affordable and sustainable housing
2) Neighborhood-based economic development
3) Financial services to low-income communities.

There will also be three $2,500 cash awards given to the second place winners of each category.

Although the program is seeking proposals for the domestic urban agenda, it is recognized that non-domestic research, literature, projects and activities proposed -- especially in developing countries -- may be relevant and such innovations are encouraged to the extent they represent potentially viable models for the United States.

The evaluation process will be a two-step process. Sponsors of this program include Clark University, Community Development Training Institute, Freddie Mac, UMASS Amherst, and the National Community Development Association.

IDCE professor Mark Tigan will judge the first round along with other community-development professionals.

Tigan has worked in the community development field for more than 30 years, including work as a consultant, author and trainer for the federal government, executive director of three nonprofit corporations, and as director of community development in three cities. During the last 10 years, he has consulted on major projects funded by Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including Oklahoma City terrorist bombing recovery, State of Connecticut's pilot economic development program, and Boston's World Trade Center hotel. His research focus is citizen participation and nonprofit, community-based organizations.

The Community Development Training Institute (CDTI) hopes that the innovative results of this competition may lead to future legislation and to influence the 2008 presidential candidate platforms.

For more information, visit https://www.clarku.edu/departments/IDCE/researchActivities_CDTI.cfm