Have you ever heard of a community of purpose, but don’t know exactly what it means? It’s all about communities where people work together towards a shared purpose. In this blog, you will discover what a community of purpose is, and why it can be so important. Read on and learn how you can play a role in it yourself!
Shared purpose: A community of purpose is about working together towards a concrete, socially relevant goal, such as social change or climate solutions.
Active engagement: Members are active, sharing experiences and insights, and collaborating in projects and discussions.
Connection and impact: These communities offer a sense of belonging and the opportunity to make a real difference.
Building success: A strong community requires clear goals, ambassadors, effective communication and the right platform.
A community of purpose revolves around a shared purpose that brings members together. Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger introduced this concept in 1991. Here it is not just about shared interests, but about collective action towards a specific goal. “A community is created when people come together for a higher common purpose.” You often see this in groups pursuing social change or young people developing solutions to environmental problems. The goal connects everyone, regardless of their background or position.
A Community of Purpose is all about working together for a shared ideal. It connects people who want to actively contribute to meaningful progress.
Members actively share experiences and strategies to support each other. This strengthens the bonds between them and the community’s common purpose. Regular exchange of information keeps the group dynamic and relevant. Sharing personal insights motivates others to contribute as well. Engagement grows through participation in discussions, projects and events. Young people feel more connected when they have a voice in decisions. Focus on collaboration fosters pride within communities of purpose. An engaged member inspires others to actively participate and advance the cause.
A common purpose is at the heart of any community of purpose. People come together because they want to achieve a shared outcome. This can range from improving local communities to addressing global challenges such as climate change. You work within such a community focused on specific outcomes, not just general interest. Focus on concrete goals keeps the group functional and effective. For example, young people can start a community of purpose to promote mental health. Clearly defining the common purpose motivates members to actively contribute and achieve results.
Communities of purpose play a crucial role in addressing societal challenges. In healthcare, groups focus on mental health, chronic diseases or alternative therapies. Consider organisations that help patients with awareness and access to care. Technology communities contribute to innovations such as software development or nuclear reactor operations. These groups connect experts and accelerate solutions to complex problems. Movements around climate change show how collaboration has an immediate impact. In the arts sector, you can see the importance of expression through music and journalism. This inspires cultural preservation and innovation. Young people often join to help build a better future. You see that such groups not only contribute to progress, but also offer a sense of connection within society.
Curious about other kinds of communities? Read more here.
To build a Community of Purpose, you need clear goals and an active approach. Maintaining it requires commitment and strategy.
Target group analysis
We identify the needs, interests and behaviour of the target group. This forms the basis for a successful community strategy.
Concept development and strategy
We develop a strong community concept and define the strategy to engage and activate the target group.
Ambassador programme
We identify and support core members who act as ambassadors and help strengthen the community.
Events
We organise both online and offline events to encourage connection and interaction within the community.
Stakeholders & Partner management
We engage relevant stakeholders and build valuable partnerships that strengthen the community.
Community communication
We create and manage effective communication channels to promote community engagement and interaction.
Platform selection and technology
We select and implement the right platform and technical tools that optimise the community experience.
Support & advice
We provide guidance, monitoring and continuous optimisation to ensure community growth and impact.
A community of purpose provides focus and connection. You achieve a shared goal together with others . By sharing experiences and knowledge, you strengthen each other. This makes such communities powerful and effective. Take action and start your own meaningful community! Read more about forming and maintaining a Community of Practice here.
1. What is a community of purpose?
A group of people coming together around a shared, meaningful purpose. It is about collaboration and impact.
2. How is it different from a community of practice?
A community of purpose focuses on action and results, while a community of practice focuses more on knowledge sharing within a field.
3. Why are communities of purpose important?
They provide direction, connect people to a shared ideal and deliver real social value.
4. How do you start a community of purpose?
Start with a clear goal, involve the right people and build structure, commitment and impact step by step.
5. How do you maintain the energy in such a community?
Through active communication, strong ambassadors, regular interaction and room for feedback and initiative.
