by Phyllis Furdell

NLC has embarked upon a three-year project to assist municipal officials to develop and carry out strategies to alleviate poverty in cities, and ultimately to stimulate and contribute to a nationwide movement toward achieving equity and reducing poverty.

The project is funded by $1,015,000 grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich.

According to NLC First Vice President Bart Peterson, mayor of Indianapolis, ?We as a city cannot be considered to be successful unless there?s an opportunity for everyone to participate in our city?s success. If those at the lowest end of the economic spectrum are not seeing their lives improve significantly, if we aren?t dealing with the impact of poverty and inequality, then we are not successful as a city.?

NLC will provide training and technical assistance to city officials on how to craft sustainable local strategies based on the needs and assets of their own cities, track local efforts and develop guidebooks and reports on best practices. NLC will also convene local officials and national experts from think tanks, academic institutions and national non-profits to provide guidance and support to local efforts.

The networking and outreach efforts will educate policy and stakeholder groups of innovative local efforts that need to be encouraged and replicated.

Details: For further information, contact Phyllis Furdell at NLC at (202) 626-3030 or furdell@nlc.org.