The Citizen's Insitute for Rural Design (CIRD) is an initiative designed as a tool for rural communitites to build upon existing assets and improve the way a community looks, its quality of life, and its economic viability. CIRD works with communities with a population of 50,000 or less and offers annual competitive funding to host two-and-a-half day community design workshops which bring together local leaders from non-profits, community organizations, and government to develop actionable solutions to the community's pressing design challenges. These workshops are tailored to meet the goals of the host community and to ensure full participation of community leaders and local citizens.
The following entitles are eligible for CIRD workshops:
- County and municipal governments
- Local nonprofit organizations, including but not limited to such entities as main street organizations, art centers, preservation groups, historical societies, or chambers of commerce
- Regional Planning Organiziations
For more information on the workshops, how to apply, and other resources provided by CIRD,
click here.