Introductory Essay: eJournal of Public Affairs, Volume 10, Issue 2

This special issue of the eJournal of Public Affairs demonstrates why we should care about “community ownership,” or an internalized feeling of responsibility for the success of one’s community and those living in it. Community “owners” accept responsibility for learning about and improving their community. They talk and listen differently about their community, they see problems, and they want to be part of the solution. Community ownership works to prompt an entire community—not just nonprofit agents—to engage with common purpose.