Emerging Leaders for Community Change (ELCC) is an initiative of the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network (ADRN), with support from The Carter Center. We are a network of concerned citizens and leaders who are united by our concern for our increasingly divided country and the impact those divisions have on our communities, families, and democracy. ELCC is a one year long training program designed to train Arizona's next generation of leaders in effective peace-building communication and community change.

ELCC applications will open October 1, 2026, and remain open until December 1, 2026. 

The ELCC cohort is for young adults ages 18-30. No other experience or background is required. We welcome young adults from across the political spectrum, from a wide range of beliefs, backgrounds, orientations, and experiences. The only requirement is a willingness to listen and learn with people who are different from you!

ELCC workshops take place over 16 weeks, from January 2027 to May 2027. Summer activities include optional ELCC community change projects. ELCC community project initiatives will also take place August 2027 and conclude December 1, 2027. 

ELCC workshops from January-May will take place two times a month for 60-90 minutes each. Meetings will be a hybrid combination of in-person and virtual events. Summer activities are optional and may include a few hours' time commitment. Community initiative projects that take place August-December are flexible depending on the participant's schedule and availability, as well as project design. During this phase, the cohort will meet up once a month for virtual project check-ins and community support. 

There is a small stipend to cover costs associated with community projects and costs incurred for participation.

Because each workshop builds on the next one, participants are encouraged to attend. If you need to miss a workshop, recordings will be available online. You will be expected to view the missed workshop before participating in the next.

We are expecting a cohort of 20-25 members

Past cohort participants have led a wide range of community change projects that focused on strengthening civic engagement, fostering dialogue, and gathering in community.

If you want to connect with young leaders from diverse backgrounds, united by a common mission to improve their communities, ELCC is for you. Our cohort and workshops are a place of learning, fellowship, and action, guided by leading experts and changemakers in Arizona and beyond. Hear what ELCC has meant to past cohort members below:

“The community I have found in ELCC has given me a sense of aliveness and hope. Because I feel more grounded, I show up stronger in every space. My work benefits, and so does my personal life, because I’m operating from a healthier, more intentional place.”

“Sometimes it is hard for me to see myself as a changemaker, but this program and all that I have learned from ELCC has shown me that I truly am.”