OUR APPROACH
Bank of I.D.E.A.S.
is motivated by two passions
The development of caring, healthy, inclusive, sustainable and enterprising communities and local economies; and
The active participation and leadership by young men and women in the creation of such communities and economies.
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. operates from the basic assumption that communities do not develop from the ‘top down’ or from ‘the outside in’. It believes that communities need to build from ‘the inside out’, and for their residents to invest themselves, ideas, assets, capabilities and resources in the process.
This philosophical basis incorporates the following ten fundamental operational beliefs:
Meaningful and lasting community change always originates within, and local residents within that community are the best experts on how to activate that change.
Community residents act responsibly when they care and support what they create.
Building and nourishing relationships is at the core of building healthy and inclusive communities.
Communities have never been built by dwelling on their deficiencies, needs and problems. Communities respond creatively when the focus is on resources, capacities, strengths and aspirations.
The strength of a community is directly proportional to the level that the diversity of its residents / members desire and are able to contribute their abilities and assets to the well being of their community. Every single person has capacities, abilities, gifts and ideas, and living a good life depends on whether those capacities can be used, abilities expressed, gifts given and ideas shared.
In every community something works. Instead of asking “What’s wrong and how to fix it?” ask … “What’s strong? What has worked and how do we get more of it?” It generates hope, energy and creativity.
Creating positive change begins simply with conversation. It is the way that human beings have always thought together and initiated action.
Having fun needs to be a high priority in all community building efforts.
The central factor in sustainable change is local leadership and its continuous development and renewal.
The starting point of change is always mindset and positive and appreciative attitudes.
