Notes on Collaboration: A Snapshot of NPCC’s Impact in 2025 (so far)

We are sharing stories about the impact of our programs at the National Policy Consensus Center. We call this series Notes on Collaboration. 

Snapshot of NPCC’s Impact in 2025

At the National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC), we have been helping Oregonians work together to solve problems and build agreements for more than two decades. In 2025, our teams have worked on 46 projects across 18 counties over 20 having statewide reach. These projects span all of our programs at NPCC: Oregon Consensus, Oregon Solutions, Oregon’s Kitchen Table, the NPCC Education Program and the NPCC Collaborative Governance Research Program. These projects range from small, local county-level impacts, to large statewide collaborations that span years. As we look ahead to the end of the year, we wanted to highlight our impact in Oregon and how participatory and collaborative approaches help build a more resilient Oregon.

Our Current Projects Projects in 2025

Local Impact

As of August 2025, across programs our teams are working on 46 projects. These projects include cyclical programs, like Hatfield Futures, that occur every year, as well as one-time projects, like the Collaborative Governance Research Program’s upcoming book chapter on facilitative leadership. The projects are being implemented by the five NPCC programs: Oregon Consensus, Oregon Solutions, Oregon’s Kitchen Table, the NPCC Educational Program, and the NPCC Collaborative Governance Research Program. These programs work synergistically to strengthen collaboration and participatory government  and build on lessons learned. Some convene and support collaborative teams, others create opportunities for Oregonians to engage on decisions that affect their lives, and still others focus on gleaning lessons learned and developing the skills and knowledge for more effective collaboration. Out of the 46 projects, 28 have statewide impact, and 18 are at the local government level. Here is a breakdown of active projects by our different programs:

Table 1: List of active projects breakdown by program

Our community-scale projects are shown on the map (see Figure 1), with each point indicating the presence of an active project (or projects) within that county.  Our on-the-ground presence from both local and statewide projects spans a wide geographic range – from coastal communities in Clatsop, Coos, and Curry counties to the high desert of eastern Oregon (Harney and Malheur counties) to metropolitan areas like Multnomah and Washington counties. 

NPCC Active Projects by County as of August 2025

Map caption: NPCC Active Projects by County in 2025, created by PSU PhD student Prabhas Pokharel. The map displays 18 county-level projects. NPCC also has 28 active statewide projects. View a larger version on the map.

Each of our projects–no matter the reach–is designed to support communities in addressing the unique challenges they face, from natural resource management and sustainable infrastructure, to community health and safety, to building civic leadership capacity. Through our local projects, we promote collaborative action among local governments, businesses, and community members, creating practical solutions and lasting partnerships in locations across the state. For instance, in Wheeler County (Oregon’s smallest county), Oregon Solutions is bringing together local and state partners to establish sustainable emergency medical services. Governor Tina Kotek formally designated this effort as an Oregon Solutions project. With that support, Oregon Solutions has brought together agencies and organizations, including the local ambulance services providing critical care on the ground, alongside the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon’s Office of Rural Health, Eastern Oregon’s Coordinated Care Organization, and the Wheeler County Health District, among others. 

From Local Communities to Statewide Initiatives – and Beyond

Alongside county-level initiatives, we are currently managing 28 statewide projects – efforts that encompass multiyear educational programs and enhancements to support systems, aiding all residents of Oregon. Our influence also goes beyond Oregon, with numerous ongoing projects that involve collaborators in other states and globally, where we share Oregon’s collaborative approaches to support the success of others. Through regional partnerships and beyond, our current projects showcase our commitment to supporting communities in developing their own solutions to the challenges they face.

Our Completed Projects in 2025 (so far)

Local Impact

As of October 31st, 2025, we have also completed 24 projects across Oregon. Of these projects, twelve were at the county level and the remaining were statewide. The projects were implemented across the five NPCC programs:

Table 2: List of completed projects breakdown by program

These initiatives took place in Hood River, Washington, Multnomah, Lane, Deschutes, Umatilla, Harney, and Baker counties. 

Each project addressed specific community priorities such as engaging the public in decision-making, resolving local conflicts, building community capacity, and coordinating critical infrastructure improvements. Through facilitation and consensus-building, our team helped local leaders and stakeholders craft solutions tailored to their communities. For example, in Baker County, Oregon’s Kitchen Table partnered with the county health department to engage residents after the closure of the local hospital’s ICU and birthing center, gathering community input on healthcare needs and potential solutions. Nearly 500 community members participated in surveys and public meetings, helping local leaders shape a path forward for rural health services.

In the Mt. Hood/Columbia Gorge region (Hood River County), Oregon Consensus convened federal, state, and local partners – including the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Natural Resources Conservation Service – to develop a 10-year “all-lands” wildfire risk reduction strategic action plan. This plan, completed in early 2025, coordinates efforts across jurisdictions to protect communities and landscapes.

Statewide Initiatives

We also spearheaded ten statewide projects in 2025 that tackled wider issues and system-level challenges across Oregon. These initiatives focused on system-wide improvements and promoting institutional learning that benefits the entire state. For example, Oregon Consensus facilitated a Wildfire Funding Work Group to build consensus toward a comprehensive, sustainable funding strategy for Oregon’s wildfire readiness, response and mitigation programs and efforts, and Oregon’s Kitchen Table partnered with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to better understand Oregonian’s experiences, concerns, and ideas about managing water quality issues. The NPCC Education Program also led another successful Urban-Rural Ambassadors Course with 13 students from Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University this past spring. In collaboration with the Rural Engagement and Vitality Center and their community partners, the course explores the connections between urban and rural communities in Oregon, while building collaborative skills needed to bridge the urban-rural divide. By convening state agencies, Tribal and civic leaders, and other partners, our statewide efforts aligned resources and perspectives toward achieving common goals across the state. 

Together, these local and statewide projects showcase our collaborative approach and its impact — strengthening Oregon’s communities on the ground while shaping more resilient, innovative institutions statewide.

Interested in learning more about our programs or collaborative governance? Reach out to our team at npccdesk@pdx.edu.