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 second part of the series, Community Engagement Design for Effective and Authentic Collaboration, will be held on September 11, 2025, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Participants will learn about the principles that shape effective and authentic engagement, and will practice implementation of those principles through exercises and interactive activities.

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 (2026 dates to be announced later this year)

Class 2: Community Engagement Design for Effective and Authentic Collaboration (September 11, 2025) 

cost: $400, early bird $350 for registration by July 11, 2025

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 financial support for participation in the course to members of underserved communities. If you are interested in a scholarship, please submit email Meredith Keppel (mkeppel@virginia.edu) describing your request for assistance and why it would be helpful to you. Scholarship requests are due no later than August 8, 2025. 

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 August 29, 2025. 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.