What IF…Your Team Could Improve Collaborative Discussion Skills?
Applications are open for fully funded collaborative discussion trainings
Dear friends,
We hear a lot about the importance of talking across difference but how do we do this, specifically? At the Interactivity Foundation, we have been developing curriculum that nurtures very specific collaborative discussion skills and mindsets, such as: building on the ideas of others, seeking out divergent thinking, developing comfort with ambiguity, mapping complexity, nurturing curiosity, practicing generous interpretation, and much more. Collectively, we call this building Collaborative Intelligence.
What IF… we nurtured collaborative intelligence in classrooms, communities, and workplaces?
We are going to test this question by awarding up to five fully funded collaborative discussion cohort trainings. These trainings are designed to build local capacity by preparing groups to become skilled facilitators and champions of collaborative discussion. Keep reading to learn how to apply.
At the Interactivity Foundation, we abbreviate our name as IF to signal democratic possibility. “What IF…” is our foundational question that opens imagination and invites experimentation. Each Wednesday, we offer a new topic and bold question designed to expand collective possibility through our What IF Wednesday newsletter.
If you haven’t already, we invite you to subscribe to What IF Wednesday—and share it with a friend.
About the Collaborative Discussion Cohort Training
The Interactivity Foundation has trained and certified over 200 collaborative discussion coaches from across the country and abroad. This award is an opportunity to train a cohort of coaches from a single organization or community.
Selected awardees will partner with the IF team to host a 15-hour Coach Training for a cohort of 10 - 20 committed participants. This training equips participants to confidently use and teach collaborative discussion practices in classrooms, community settings, workplaces, and beyond.
The Interactivity Foundation covers training-related costs, including:
Training team and facilitation, including travel and lodging
Training materials and curriculum
Certification and badging
Participant registration fees
This highly interactive training features small-group engagement, hands-on practice, and individualized support. The training is roughly 15-hours of contact that can be delivered in-person (1.5 days) or virtually (3 hours a day X 5 days).
Check out what certified coaches have said about this training.
What will participants gain?
Upon successful completion, cohort participants will:
Understand key collaborative discussion concepts and how they support democratic, inclusive inquiry.
Apply the Collaborative Discussion Toolkit with confidence—including intentional activity design and facilitation strategies.
Practice facilitating core activities with structured debriefs on method and purpose.
Access coach-only resources such as assessment tools, templates, and facilitation supports.
Receive post-training consultations and invitations to workshops that extend learning post-certification.
Earn formal recognition through certification and digital badges for facilitating collaborative discussion.
Join an expanding community of practice of educators, civic professionals, and dialogue practitioners.
Certified coaches are also equipped to design and deliver their own certificate programs in collaborative discussion, expanding opportunities for others to develop these skills in their own local contexts.
Who Should Apply
We welcome applications from:
Faculty, staff, or administrators in higher education or K12
Staff or leadership in community-based organizations and nonprofits
Staff or leadership in civic, cultural, or professional organizations
Staff or leadership in workplaces and professional development units
Student leaders on campuses or in communities
Applicants must be able to:
Recruit and confirm a cohort of at least 10 participants committed to the full training
Schedule their training between June 15th, 2026 and Dec 15th, 2026
Provide appropriate training space, if in-person
Appoint a coordinator to work with the IF team on logistics and participant support
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on:
Alignment with IF’s mission and values
Clarity and feasibility of the training setting
Detailed cohort recruitment strategy
Potential for meaningful impact and ongoing use of collaborative discussion practices
Application Process
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For full consideration, apply by April 26, 2026. Final awards will be announced by Friday, May 1, 2026.
Questions? Email Jes Friedrichs at jes@interactivityfoundation.org
Collaborative Discussion Fellow Spotlight: Kim Allonce
“In places like Haiti people have talked (about gang violence) for a long time. However, people have seen little results. They don't feel really empowered. They feel like the decisions are being made, or things are happening to them as opposed to things are happening with them. So creating an environment where they're not just talking, but feeling like the decisions are being made with them is part of what I'm trying to accomplish.” Read Kim’s bio here.
Check out our YouTube Channel for more IF Fellows and read their bios here.
Upcoming Events
Want to learn more about the Interactivity Foundation and the free resources we provide educators and civic professionals? Register for one of our webinars to learn more about our facilitation plans, discussion guides, innovative tools, and collaborative discussion toolkit!
Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026 | 2:00–3:00 PM EST
Friday, Apr. 10, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM EST
Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 2:00–3:00 PM EST
Register to become a Certified Collaborative Discussion Coach. This 15-hour training introduces collaborative discussion concepts and offers a deep dive into how to facilitate activities from the collaborative discussion toolkit. This is a highly interactive training. Space is limited to ten people. Register now!
June 1 - June 5, 2026 | 12:00–3:00 PM EST, Virtual
July 13 - July 17, 2026 | 12:00–3:00 PM EST, Virtual
As always, thank you for your interest in our newsletter. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with ideas, collaborations, or questions. We’d love to hear from you.
Thanks,
The IF Team