The warmest of welcomes! You have taken your first step in joining the largest global network of community development practitioners.
IACD Membership Benefits
- Read our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan
- Participate in our international conferences! IACD hosts the World Community Development Conference (WCDC) and the last one took place in in Darwin, Australia in June 2023! We are now planning the 2025 edition.
- Attend our monthly webinars presented by experts in the field — and access the recordings
- Join one of our international continuing professional development Practice Exchanges
- Check out our main Facebook page
- Access and contribute to our website and IACD’s Practice Insights magazine — current issues are available to members only
- Join our IACD members’ Facebook group and start a discussion or find other people from your field
- Apply to join the IACD International Board — there are vacancies every year
- Check out other member benefits on our website, including a discount for a subscription to the Community Development Journal!
- Check out and contribute to our Membership Blog
- Contribute a case study to the Case Studies section of our website
- Attend our Annual General Meeting every summer
Who Should Join IACD?
Local, regional and national associations and networks of community development practitioners
Organisations that work in and support community development initiatives
Community development practitioners and managers
Researchers and academics
Community activists
Policymakers and advisers
Anyone with a genuine interest in supporting sustainable community development.
Sharing Our Core Values
As an International association, we have made a commitment to certain ethical positions. In 2016 we reinforced these longstanding values in our definition of Community Development by highlighting that we are committed to promoting participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, economic opportunity, equality and social justice, through the organisation, education, and empowerment of people within their communities. If you share these values then we invite you to join IACD. You can read our IACD Member Code of Conduct below:
How to Join – the process
Please note that the membership application process is a manual process to ensure that members are paying the correct membership fees. It’s easy to join us! Follow the steps below:
- First, fill out our membership form by clicking “Join Now” below.
- Fill in your details — please type your name exactly how you would like it to appear on your Membership Certificate*.
- Choose your payment method — note that current students of community development courses are eligible for up to four years of free membership.
- Submit your application.
- Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an automatic email confirming that we have received your application. Please allow five business days after receipt of your membership fee for us to process your membership.
- The IACD Administrator will confirm receipt of your payment and process your membership. You will then be sent a welcome letter, Membership Certificate, receipt, and lots of helpful resources to get you started on your journey with us!
Please note — free student membership is only available to CURRENT students.
Before you apply for membership, please read our IACD Member Code of Conduct below.
For any membership related queries, please contact our Membership Secretary at membership@iacdglobal.org
We look forward to welcoming you to our growing global network of community developers.
*please note that if you require a correction to your name on your Membership Certificate, contact membership@iacdglobal.org. We recommend you check your name before you submit your application to avoid any issues.
Membership Rates
CURRENT students who are studying a course in community development are eligible for up to four years of free membership until graduation. Please note that to take advantage of this offer, students must email membership@iacdglobal.org after completing the membership application to tell our administration their anticipated date of graduation.