It's impossible to please everyone. The question is whether you're disappointing the right people. – Adam Grant
COHESIVE APPROACH
The Barrio Department is the cornerstone of community-led transformation in IkoCiti. We engage directly with residents and organizations to revitalize neighborhoods through practical actions and strategic frameworks. By addressing critical issues like education, poverty, and digital inclusion, we empower local changemakers to rebuild their neighborhoods. Our MM360 strategy ensures a cohesive and sustainable approach to development, fostering collaboration and breaking barriers.
This department embodies the vision of IkoCiti, turning it into tangible, impactful progress. Through events, strategic planning, and partnerships, the Barrio Department is a catalyst for positive, grassroots-driven change IkoCiti-Style.
THE BARRIO BOROUGH
04.00.00 - THE BARRIO BOROUGH. We coordinate on-the-ground activities in barrios, working directly with residents and local organizations to drive community-led change. Our MM360 strategy provides a comprehensive framework for neighborhood revitalization, addressing everything from infrastructure to social services. We support local action - organized by our Maveriqs - through the PI Movement and focus on breaking barriers to opportunity by tackling education gaps, debt, addiction, and digital divide issues. The BARRIO team transforms IkoCiti's vision into practical action, empowering local people to rebuild their barrios from within.
THE EVENTS DISTRICT
04.01.00 - Barrio Events: We organize diverse events—sports, block parties, bootcamps—to build awareness and positive sentiment towards IkoCiti. These events feature straightforward information about the benefits and responsibilities of community empowerment. Our message is clear: IkoCiti is a tool that amplifies the work of those who use it. Events also serve as talent identification opportunities, where we discover individuals with specific skills in areas like athletics, arts, or academics. We then provide pathways to help these community members develop their talents further. We aim to create a welcoming and engaging environment, demonstrating that IkoCiti is a tool for community-driven progress.
THE MM360 DISTRICT
04.02.00 - Strategic Development Plan (MM360): We collaborate with each barrio to develop a unique MM360 plan, a comprehensive micro/macro framework for revitalization. MM360 is not an operational unit but an action plan that integrates diverse efforts into a cohesive framework – a theoretical backbone for community improvement, ensuring coordinated action and eliminating fragmented efforts. Each MM360 plan is tailored to the specific needs of a barrio, addressing both short-term goals and long-term visions. While based on a universal template, each MM360 is tailored to the specific needs of its dedicated barrio and guides Maveriqs teams in identifying micro-level projects that will have the most impact.
THE PI MOVEMENT DISTRICT
04.03.00 - Activist Support (PI Movement): Barrio revitalization inevitably encounters resistance from various external sources. While we prioritize win-win solutions, some challenges require organized community action. We equip our Maveriqs with the skills to become effective local advocates through comprehensive training, resources, and platform support. The PI Movement provides a structured environment for strategic organizing and thoughtful advocacy efforts. Our approach emphasizes smart, results-oriented activism that advances barrio interests while building positive relationships with external stakeholders.
THE POVERTY PATHWAYS DISTRICT
04.04.00 - Poverty Pathways Solutions: This center connects barrio residents with third-party solutions (products and services) targeting the root causes of poverty. Our ecosystem partners provide specialized programs in education, family support, debt management, and addiction recovery. We negotiate special access terms for residents who actively support Maveriq teams, offering either free services or substantial discounts. By removing financial barriers to these critical resources, we empower motivated community members to overcome systemic challenges and create new opportunities for themselves and their families.
THE DIGITAL INCLUSION DISTRICT
04.05.00 - Digital Inclusion: We address technological inequity by connecting residents with third-party solutions that bridge the digital divide. This center facilitates access to hardware, software, training, and connectivity resources essential for full participation in today's economy. We recognize digital literacy as a fundamental requirement for economic advancement and social integration. Our programs help residents develop the digital skills needed to access information, connect with resources, pursue education, find employment opportunities, and participate in the increasingly digital marketplace.
THE PROJECT FEEDBACK DISTRICT
04.06.00 - Barrio Project Feedback. Barrio Project Feedback is a cornerstone of our approach, requiring Maveriqs teams to gather input from both internal and external supporters. This feedback shapes project plans, ensuring they meet community needs and expectations. Using simple, uniform templates, teams collaborate on feedback exchanges to refine their proposals. The level of support plays a crucial role in project approval, making community input an integral part of decision-making and project success.
THE ECONOMIC DEV DISTRICT
04.07.00 - Barrio Economic Development. Sustainable neighborhood transformation requires attracting new businesses to the barrio. While IkoCiti establishes the foundation for revitalization, progress accelerates when additional enterprises invest in the community. This center, working within the MM360 framework, strategically leverages growing talent pools and positive momentum to create attractive conditions for business investment. Our Maveriq teams actively participate in business attraction efforts, highlighting emerging opportunities and connecting with supportive government policies. This approach creates reinforcing cycles of investment and improvement that extend beyond IkoCiti's direct initiatives.
REVITALIZE
The BARRIO department is committed to fostering sustainable change through community-driven initiatives. By empowering residents and organizations, we aim to revitalize neighborhoods and create opportunities for all. Our structured approach, utilizing the MM360 framework and targeted support programs, ensures that our efforts are both strategic and impactful. We believe in the power of collaboration, working closely with residents to address their specific needs and aspirations.
Our expertise centers are designed to provide comprehensive support, from initial engagement and strategic planning to ongoing activist support and economic development. By prioritizing community feedback and fostering a culture of collaboration, we strive to create lasting positive change.
We recognize that lasting revitalization must be owned by the people who live in these communities. The Barrio Department simply removes obstacles, builds capacity, and connects resources to the natural leadership already present in every neighborhood. By providing structure without imposing solutions, we create sustainable pathways for communities to define and achieve their vision of success.