NEVADA COUNTY COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
Transforming a Culture of Separation into a Culture of Connection
We are a village community, meeting our common needs through heartfelt connections. Together, we build relationships, trust, and structures of support that enable our community to thrive.
About The Village Project
The Village Project is an association of heart-centered changemakers working together to build relationships, trust, and support structures that enable our community to thrive. We value integrity, love, trust, mutual respect, inclusion, and service.
Love & Compassion
We lead with heart, nurturing kindness and understanding in every interaction.
Mutual Respect
We honor each person's voice, experience, and perspective with openness.
Inclusion
We widen the circle beyond those we like or agree with for the common good.
Service
We co-create with joy and care, bringing generosity to our time together.
"We need to widen the circle beyond those we like or agree with so together we can work for the common good."
— Richard Flyer
Author of Birthing the Symbiotic Age: An Ancient Blueprint to Unite Humanity
Upcoming Events
We gather regularly through World Cafés and community events to share ideas, build relationships, and take action together.
Past Gatherings
On January 6, 2026, members of the Nevada County community came together to begin a conversation about how we can build a stronger culture of care and belonging. Through a series of small-group "World Café" discussions, we explored what it means to truly support one another.
What we shared together:
Deep Connections: Participants deeply valued the rich, authentic conversations and the opportunity to build new relationships in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
A Culture of Care: The space was filled with sincerity and openness, with many describing the experience as "nourishing" and "meaningful".
Mutual Support: The event was seen as a powerful first step in strengthening the trust and mutual support that will define the Village Project moving forward.
The feedback from this gathering was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing a strong desire to continue meeting in small groups and home gatherings as we shape the future of our village.
Moments from Our Community
See our village in action — building connections, sharing ideas, and creating a culture of care.
Inspiration in Action: The Vision of Richard Flyer
The Village Project finds its roots and inspiration in the life-long work of Richard Flyer, a pioneer in local community weaving and the integration of shared values into collective action.
For over 40 years, Richard has dedicated himself to moving society from a "culture of separation" to one of connection and mutual benefit. His foundational work in Reno, Nevada - where he helped establish the Conscious Community Network and a thriving local business directory - serves as a living blueprint for how we can overcome fragmentation and build resilient, interconnected neighborhoods.
In his book, Birthing the Symbiotic Age: An Ancient Blueprint for a New Creation, Richard synthesizes decades of experience - from his studies with the Sarvodaya movement in Sri Lanka to his grassroots experiments in the American West.
He advocates for "Symbiotic Culture," a way of life where local organizations, businesses, and neighbors align to support one another's well-being. We carry this vision forward in our local projects, striving to create a community where everyone has a place and every contribution helps the whole village thrive.
"We are living in an age of fragmentation and division — but something else is happening too. A new way forward is being born, rooted not in ideology or control, but in relationship, trust, and shared responsibility at the local level.
Birthing the Symbiotic Age offers a practical framework, a new community operating system, that people can activate wherever they live, regardless of background, belief, or identity."
--- Richard Flyer
12 Sectors of Community Focus
We bring together individuals and groups working across these vital areas of community needs, fostering collaboration and shared purpose.
Family & Community Health
Affordable Housing
Empowerment of People on the Margins
Local Economy
Education & Mentoring
Spirit & Service
Local Energy
Clean & Healthy Environment
Neighbor Helping Neighbor
Community Peace & Safety
Arts & Culture
Local Food & Water
Join Our Village
Be part of creating a culture of connection in Nevada County. Whether you want to volunteer or simply stay informed, we'd love to have you.
Stay Connected
Join our mailing list to receive updates about events and community initiatives.
Volunteer With Us
Share your gifts and help build a stronger, more connected community.
We are looking for:
tech support
organizers
accountant
Support Our Mission
Your donation helps us host events, create resources, and grow our community.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us build a more connected Nevada County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about The Village Project?
Find answers to common questions below.
The Village Project is a community-building initiative in Nevada County dedicated to creating a culture of connection, mutual support, and care. We bring people together through events, gatherings, and collaborative projects to strengthen our local community.
There are many ways to participate! You can join our mailing list to stay informed about upcoming events, volunteer your time and skills, attend our World Cafés and community gatherings, or support us with a donation. Every contribution matters!
A World Café is a structured conversational process where participants discuss meaningful questions in small groups. Tables rotate, allowing ideas to cross-pollinate across the room. It's a powerful way to tap into collective wisdom and build connections.
We host events at various venues throughout Nevada County, including local cafés, community centers, and outdoor spaces. Check our events section or join our mailing list to stay updated on upcoming gatherings and their locations.
Most of our events are free or donation-based. We believe in making community connection accessible to everyone. Some special events may have a suggested donation to cover venue costs.
We operate through generous donations from community members, local sponsors, and volunteer support. We're a grassroots initiative focused on keeping costs low while maximizing community impact.
The inspiration came from Richard Flyer's pioneering work in Reno, Nevada, where simple, neighbor-led actions - shared meals, block parties, tool-sharing, and elder care - sparked a citywide movement of relational renewal. Flyer calls this process "re-villaging": a return to the human-scale networks of mutual aid, trust, and kinship that once sustained communities. His approach is rooted in what he calls the "Ancient Blueprint" - a universal pattern grounded in love of neighbor, virtue, and sacred design, reflecting the ethos of early Christian communities, Gandhi's village model, and grassroots movements worldwide.
The heart of re-villaging is simple: anyone can begin from their own doorstep. You don't need power, credentials, or funding - a willingness to act in love. Whether through a casserole, a garden, or a simple hello, every street holds the potential to become a seedbed for a new society. This project is our local expression of that vision—a sacred practice of kinship and care that regenerates culture from the ground up.
These are the agreements we came up with:
Be present and curious.
Speak your truth with kindness.
Listen with respect and openness.
Take responsibility.
Foster growth and connection.
Co-create with joy and care.
Anyone living in Nevada County is welcome to join!
Get in touch:
Jane: 415.866.0421
Carolyn: 530.277.2804
© 2026 Made with ♡ for Nevada County