Nomad Exchange: Community Building where local meets Global in Central Istria

Ah, Croatia truly is a magical destination to explore during the off-season particularly Central Istria. Recently, I had the privilege of presenting at the #vinomad event in Central Istria, organised by the Central Istria Tourism Board in collaboration with partners like DNA Croatia.

This event was more than just a gathering; it was a dynamic Nomad Exchange that brought together local residents and global digital nomads, fostering meaningful connections and showcasing the region’s unique value proposition. Held at the end of September, this vibrant week highlighted Central Istria as not only an adventure playground—from mountains to the sea—but also a thriving community hub ideal for digital nomads and food enthusiasts alike. During my session, I led discussions on community building for remote workers, digital nomads, and local hosts, aiming to inspire anyone interested in fostering community connections.

This blog serves as a comprehensive resource outlining our discussions and providing insights for those looking to cultivate communities both online and offline, whether through tiny houses, nomad villages, or simply breaking down barriers between locals and global thinkers. In Part One, we will explore the benefits of community building and trust, while Part Two will focus on effective communication strategies and shared values essential for cultivating a successful community.

Embracing Community Building

During my session at a stunning boutique wine venue, we delved into the essence of community building. The aim was to share insights with Locals and lead a discussion on the topic of Community building from a global perspective, and with the digital nomads that were present which as great to seen community leaders interested in understanding more about trying to attract digital nomads. We discussed some of the areas I cover here, the needs of what a digital nomad needs when choosing a destination and basic aspects of online and offline community building.

The Tourism board invited influences and digital nomads, community leaders, to also present throughout the week long event to speak on Business and Content creation and inspire other digital nomads who couldn’t attend to look to Central Istra for all it has to offer. Local producers to host and offer great spaces and curious locals from the business community to join in. Here’s a glimpse into what we discussed and learned throughout the community building discussion and throughout the week of exploring Central Istria.

My Journey Through Communities

I began the workshop by sharing my diverse experiences across various communities, highlighting the importance of recognizing our own involvement in community-building. This not only introduced me but also encouraged you to reflect on the communities you’ve participated in throughout your life. You might be surprised by how extensive your list is! Here’s a snapshot of my journey:

– Indigenous Aboriginal Communities: Growing up in Darwin, Australia.
– Military Community: Joining the military at 19.
– Expat Communities:Teaching English in Hong Kong and working with the Saudi Royal Family.
– Biking Communities:Riding motorcycles across three continents.
– Aviation Communities:Obtaining my pilot’s license and participating in hot air ballooning events.
– Digital Nomad Communities: Co-founding Nomad Stays, a platform for booking accommodations tailored for remote workers.

If you’re interested in building community within your business, local area, or even online, I invite you to join me as we explore the foundations of community building together.

Action You Can Take:
Reflect on all the communities you have been involved in to date. You may find that these experiences help you identify your own community ties and understand what makes a community successful. Take the time to write down some of the communities you’ve engaged with. This process will aid you in defining your “why,” which is essential for understanding your motivation to create a community or reflecting on the one you’ve already built.

Questions to ENCOURAGE You to think about your “WHY”

What motivated you to join these communities?

What kept you engaged?

These reflections are to help you analysis deeper, explore more and hopefully feel more confident as you why you are doing what you are doing, as you lay the groundwork for understanding community dynamics. It is my wish that you take the time to answer these questions if you are interested in building a community, it might just trigger something you were not fully aware of. Even doing this workshop triggered somethings for me that I need to work on. The beauty of it all is in the learning both for you and me.

Here is a Photo from The #vinomad event in Central Istria September 2024: From the Left – Mark Phillips, Linda McCall, Dipak, Sanja (organiser from Central Istria, Helena Bradbury and Taylor. All these people presented at the week of #vinomad

PART ONE – Six Benefits of Community

Have you ever thought about the benefits of Communities and how they enhance the individual and collective well-being. Here we will  look closer at several key benefits but I sure you can relate to them and perhaps add your own. If you think of more make sure you share them with us in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.

1. Sense of Belonging:

A sense of belonging fulfills the fundamental human need for connection, promoting mental health and happiness. When you have a group of people you are familiar with and provides a safe place to express yourself and support system which brings us to the next pillars give us the benefit of Community.

2. Support System:

When you have a support system that provides emotional and practical support during good and challenging times, it can give you the resource, friendships and keeps you from feeling isolated.

3. Opportunities for Growth:

A big benefit is community can facilitate personal and professional development through shared knowledge and mentorship. Provided through events and social gatherings, sports and festivals.

4. Platform for Social Change:

It can be a platform for social change and mobilises collective action to advocate for important causes. The can come in the form of Lobbying for change, needs for the community, which often occur in town halls, community centres, festivals, Charity’s or government organisations, learning centres, coworking centres. This flows on to the following…

5. Enhanced Communication Skills:

These same learning community learning centres encourage better interpersonal skills essential for both personal and professional relationships.

6. Shared Values & Identity:

All this community building is only possible through shared values which we will go into a little further on. It will foster unity through common goals and interests. You have probably notice these values flourish in full form in Religious institutes such as Churches, Mosques and Universities, Schools and even sports clubs. Large organisations such as the Military have values that you swear your allegiance, you will see it all around you and you also unconsciously have your own values system that allow you to align with such organisations. 

The value of community lies in its ability to create connections that enhance personal growth, a need that provides support, fosters social change, and promotes overall well-being for those involved.

Here is a recent photo of the “community building” Local meets global conversation I lead at the #vinomad event for #centralistra held by the Tourism Board of Central Istria a week long event to show how easy and affordable it is to Live and Work in Central Istra and what it has to offer Digital Nomads.

Defining The problem your community solves 

By now you probably have a good outlight to who your targeting, perhaps is a very specific niche. Maybe it’s something that you wish you had to help you with your own problem or perhaps it’s to support your brand to engage with your potential customers creating a safe place where you customer can engage and ask questions. 

Defining the problem you solve is all part and parcel of the benefits your community offers. Identifying the problem your community might be having is a good thing to think about.  Defining the problem, understanding what they need and how you can help them is just the begining.

Creating the community also means that you have found a problem to solve and how you can add value, now you can start building a community around it and help people come together with a common goals and values.

Clarifying the problem you solve as a community and testing it to see if there is a need is your next step. It helps clarify your intentions and guides your actions as a community leader.

Knowing why you want to commit to building a community and how it changes the world is a process. What motivates your community and your intention behind creating it helps you building strong foundations.

Essential Elements For your Community Success

To create a thriving community, consider the the following foundational elements the very core foundation of community building is Trust and it’s the essence of developing and building trust, and how relationships flourish and help grow your community engagement:

Trust & collaboration:

The glue that holds relationships together. So let’s  discuss the Importance of Trust in Community Building. Trust is often hailed as the “glue” that holds relationships together, serving as a foundational element for community building. It fosters connections among individuals, enhances collaboration, and creates a supportive environment where people feel safe to engage and contribute. The significance of trust in communities can be understood through several key aspects.

Trust as a Foundation for Relationships & Building Bonds with Each Other

Trust is essential for developing healthy, reciprocal relationships within communities. It enables individuals to rely on one another, creating bonds that are crucial during times of need. When trust exists, community members are more likely to assist each other, leading to stronger social networks and a sense of belonging. This interconnectedness not only helps individuals but also contributes to the overall resilience and effectiveness of the community.

Enhancing Community Engagement

Trust plays a critical role in community engagement efforts. Engaged communities are those where members actively participate in decision-making processes, share their perspectives, and collaborate on initiatives. When trust is present, and a safe place provided for community members, they feel empowered to voice their opinions and contribute meaningfully. This engagement is facilitated by transparent communication and consistent actions from leaders that demonstrate commitment to the community’s well-being not for self gain.

Building Social Capital

Trust contributes to what is known as “social capital”, which refers to the networks of relationships among people in a community. High levels of trust can lead to increased participation through volunteering, enhance healthier population engagement, and economic prosperity. Communities with strong social capital are better equipped to address challenges collectively and leverage resources effectively. Trust fosters both bonds (connections within groups) and bridges (connections between diverse groups), minimizing conflict and enhancing cooperation. One way of doing this is to build trust and relationships with community leaders in the sectors and groups that align with your cause and engage them to participate creating inclusion for all.

Mechanisms for Building Trust

If you want to cultivate trust within communities, several strategies can be employed. Lets begin with one of the most important one that will ensure your community respects the boundaries of your participation.

Contractual Trust:

a trust that ensures that promises are kept and expectations are clear often when you join a community there will be rules and regulations within the community that underpin the boundaries and behaviors acceptable within the community. This involves following through on commitments and being dependable.

Communication Trust:

Maintaining open lines of communication where community members are informed about changes and decisions that affect them. Clear communication helps build understanding and acceptance.

Competence Trust:

Demonstrating the capability of leaders and organisations involved in community initiatives. This includes hiring qualified personnel and providing necessary training.

Caring Trust:

Fostering an environment where individuals feel valued and welcomed. Initiatives like community events or support programs can enhance feelings of belonging.

It’s two ways: The Reciprocal Nature of Trust

If you want to build trust, it is not a one-way street; it is inherently reciprocal. I know it’s it might seem obvious but often people are afraid to participate. Individuals must first show trust before receiving it back from others. This gradual process requires patience and consistent effort from all community members. As relationships develop over time through shared experiences and mutual support, trust deepens, leading to a more cohesive community.

As a collective value, trust is a vital component of effective community building. It enhances relationships, fosters engagement, builds social capital, and promotes collective action towards common goals. Given its importance, communities should prioritize trust-building initiatives that emphasize transparency, communication, competence, and care. By doing so, they create an environment where all members can thrive and contribute positively to the community’s future.

That brings us to the point of communication with in the Community, so lets  drill down into different ways we use communication that can brake for the community. 

PArt TWO – Communication:

Communication acts as a Bridge in Community Building. Creating opportunities for open dialogue fosters understanding and collaboration. This gives all members a chance to voice opinions and communicate and even take part in the direction the community takes.  

To create effective communication is crucial in bridging the gap between community members. This is where the strengthening of shared values helps to bring a common ground for a strong foundation. Once trust is built, communication serves as the mechanism through which relationships deepen, collaboration flourishes, and community goals are achieved. This section explores how communication can enhance community dynamics, particularly through social media and face-to-face interactions.

The Role of Communication in Community 

To foster engagement and participation it takes a dynamic approach. Communication encourages community members to actively participate in discussions, initiatives, and events. When individuals feel informed and heard, they are more likely to engage with one another and contribute to community projects. This engagement can take various forms, including attending meetings, participating in online forums, or volunteering for local events.

PRactical ways to SHARING INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Good communication is key to sharing information about community resources, events, and opportunities. Here are some practical ways to do this:

1. Use Social Media: Create a community group on platforms like Facebook or Instagram where you can post updates and share news with everyone.

2. Send Newsletters: Regularly send out a simple email or printed newsletter that highlights upcoming events, projects, and resources available in the community.

3. Host Meetings: Organize regular gatherings, either in-person or online, where community members can learn about new initiatives and ask questions.

4. Create Flyers: Make colorful flyers with important information and post them in popular places like libraries, schools, and community centers.

5. Use a Community Bulletin Board: Set up a bulletin board in a central location where people can see announcements, events, and resources easily.

6. Encourage Word of Mouth : Ask community members to share information with their friends and family to help spread the word.

7, Use buddy systems: for newcomers, this way they have someone to ask questions 

By using these methods, everyone can stay informed about what’s happening in the community, which helps more people get involved and feel connected.

Building Relationships Through Dialogue

Open lines of communication facilitate dialogue among members, allowing for the exchange of ideas and experiences. This interaction strengthens relationships and fosters a sense of ownership over community initiatives. Encouraging two-way communication—where feedback is sought and valued—creates an inclusive environment that respects diverse perspectives. Think about the way that clubs and communities you have been a part of did this well. Now think about how it could work for your community. 

 Utilizing Social Media for Community Communication

Social media platforms have become essential tools for enhancing communication within communities. Here are several strategies to effectively use social media:

Multi-Channel Approach: Utilize various platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to reach different segments of the community. Tailor content to fit the unique characteristics of each platform while ensuring consistent messaging across channels.

Engagement through Content: Share engaging content such as polls, questions, or stories that invite community members to participate in discussions. This not only keeps the conversation going but also encourages members to share their experiences and insights.

Transparency and Updates: Use social media to provide regular updates on community projects or initiatives. Transparency about how feedback is incorporated into decision-making processes helps build trust and keeps members informed about progress.

Community-Led Initiatives: Encourage members to take the lead on social media discussions or campaigns. Highlighting their contributions fosters a sense of ownership and strengthens connections among participants.

OLD WORLD Face-to-Face Communication Strategies

While digital communication is vital, face-to-face interactions remain essential for building strong community ties. Here are effective strategies for facilitating these interactions:

Organise Community Events: Host regular gatherings such as town hall meetings, workshops, or social events where members can connect in person. These events provide opportunities for informal conversations that deepen relationships.

Active Listening: During face-to-face interactions, practice active listening by showing genuine interest in others’ stories and perspectives. This not only builds rapport but also enhances understanding within the community.

Create Welcoming Spaces: Ensure that meeting locations are accessible and inviting. A welcoming atmosphere encourages participation from all community members, fostering inclusivity.

Follow-Up Conversations: After meetings or events, follow up with participants to gather feedback or continue discussions initiated during the gathering. This reinforces the importance of their input and encourages ongoing engagement.

As I write this I feel the need to nurture my own community’s more and most certainly need take some of my own advice, no bodies perfect Hah! But rather than beat ourselves up about it, lets just do our best and encourage each other.  I can’t emphasise enough that effective communication comes from observing how your community likes to communicate base to how they trust. Observe, participate and support others, it’s a simple as having the intention to helping others.

The simple question of “how can I help”. This is invaluable to building the bridge that connects individuals within a community after trust has been established. By leveraging both social media and face-to-face interactions strategically, communities can foster engagement, share vital information, and build deeper relationships among their members. Prioritizing transparent communication and encouraging participation will ultimately strengthen the fabric of the community, leading to collective success in achieving shared goals.

Shared Values: The role of Shared Values in Community Building

Shared values are crucial for fostering unity and direction within a community. These core beliefs guide behavior and decision-making, creating a sense of belonging and purpose among members.

Why Shared Values Matter:

1. Foster Belonging: Common beliefs strengthen connections and encourage participation.
2. Establish Purpose: They clarify goals, motivating members to work together.
3. Enhance Trust: Understanding shared values builds trust and cooperation.

Action Step For You: Identify Your Community’s Shared Values

Reflect on the shared values within your community and write them down. Recognizing these values will help strengthen your community’s identity and foster collaboration for future growth.

Creating Togetherness Through Common Beliefs

1. Fostering a Sense of Belonging
Shared values cultivate a feeling of belonging among community members. When individuals identify with the same principles, they feel connected to one another, which enhances social cohesion. This sense of belonging is crucial for encouraging participation and commitment to community initiatives.

2. Establishing a Common Purpose
Common beliefs provide a clear direction for the community’s goals and objectives. When members share values, they are more likely to work collaboratively towards achieving these goals. This alignment creates a sense of purpose that motivates individuals to contribute their time, skills, and resources for the greater good.

3. Enhancing Trust and Cooperation
Shared values lay the groundwork for trust among community members. When individuals understand and respect each other’s beliefs, they are more inclined to cooperate and support one another. This mutual understanding fosters an environment where people feel safe to express their opinions, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.

Mark Phillips giving an interview at the #vinomad Nomad Exchange event Sept 2024

How to Cultivate Shared Values in a Community

This might seem a no brainer but let’s just start with engaging in open dialogue which means; encouraging conversations about values among community members. Facilitate discussions where individuals can express their beliefs and explore commonalities. This dialogue not only helps identify shared values but also promotes understanding and respect for diverse perspectives.

Create Your  Vision Statement

Here’s an easy one but often not done. Develop a vision statement that encapsulates the community’s shared values and goals. This statement serves as a reference point for decision-making and helps align community initiatives with the collective beliefs of its members.

Celebrate Diversity

While shared values create unity, it’s essential to acknowledge and celebrate diversity within the community. Recognizing different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences enriches the community’s collective identity while reinforcing shared values.

Model Shared Values Through Actions

Community leaders and members should exemplify shared values through their actions. Leading by example demonstrates commitment to these principles and encourages others to do the same. Recognizing and rewarding behaviors that align with shared values can further reinforce their importance.

Incorporate Values into Community Activities

Integrate shared values into community events, programs, and initiatives. Whether through volunteer opportunities, educational workshops, or social gatherings, embedding these principles into activities reinforces their significance in everyday interactions.

Yes, it’s obvious that shared values are fundamental to building strong communities by creating unity. However, establishing common purpose, and enhancing trust among members can be a challenge if you haven’t got your “why” established.

By actively cultivating your values through open dialogue, Your vision statement, Inclusion and celebration of diversity, and the simplicity of modeling behaviors, and incorporating them into activities, communities can foster an inclusive environment where all members feel connected and committed to collective goals. Don’t think too much about it just notice what works and what doesn’t work is ultimately, shared values.

It’s your job to strengthen and empower communities to thrive together in pursuit of their aspirations, so go and do it. Take action now. Utilise and create collision spaces to encourage this coagulation.

Pula Coworking Space Event a great example for Collision Spaces

Creating Collision Spaces 

Firstly you might be scratching your head thinking ‘what is a collision space’?

It is a space within a community that people can come together and connect share ideas.

You will also need to identify the purpose of the space and create a space where people can connect and share skills is it on line, off line or both. Here are some examples of this:

Coworking spaces Coworking Spaces are a great and often these spaces are niched to attract a certain type of business such as creatives, artists, techs, developers, etc

Events  are a great way to target and to attract a certain type of person such as the recent week long event at #vinomad

Clubs & volunteer ORGANISATION Clubs are designed to attract a people with a common core value or passion. These environments encourage interaction and collaboration among members.

Let’s wrap it up with 7 ways to Cultivate Your Community 

1. Connect: Identify key contacts relevant to your goals. Attend networking events to meet new people. Create events o bring people together.

2. Set Clear Networking Goals:  Define what you want from your networking efforts.

3. Contribute: Share knowledge through articles or webinars.

4. Engage Locally: Learn about local customs to enhance interactions. Invite the community to share there skills and knowledge of the regions

5. Foster Multidimensional Relationships: Encourage diverse connections—personal, professional, collaborative.

6. Measure Your Progress: Set realistic goals for networking activities.

7. Stay Engaged: Regularly follow up with contacts to maintain relationships.

As a result of this event we now how our first Central Istria Stay “Truffle Residence” You can stay for a week or Stay for a Month. Thanks to Irena Kotiga of Pazin Istria who attended the sessions at #Vinomad

The Importance of Connecting with community leaders to enhance your community and events & The Learnings:

Here is a takeaway and something I learnt about the importance of tapping into different sectors of community leaders within the community or other communities that align with yours. One of the locals that come to one of our workshops at #vinomad throughout the week said that if it wasn’t for her local community leader encouraging her from one of the Woman in Business groups, who encouraged her to come along, she would not have come to the event. This comes back to building trust, when someone supports you and recommends something to you, it seems more likely that they will be convinced it will be safe to attend.

It interesting to note that even though it was being held in her own region she needed support. When I spoke to this lady who attended our sessions myself, she mentioned, that she was so excited to come to the sessions but wasn’t going to attend until her direct community leader (group) encouraged her to attend, because she was attending herself. 

Another member said after attending the second event held by Mark Phillips that she felt like she belonged and it was so good able to talk with people who understood her and about tech and business topics. It was a sense of relief for her to be in a group of likeminded people who understood her, that was not currently available in her immediate community, connecting with global minds expanding and very exciting for her.

COMMUNITY BONDING LESSON

The other learning on reflection was the first day Ziplining after the press conference was a key bonding activity as was the Hike to the waterfalls the following morning as well as the Welcome BBQ on the first evening.  These activities created a collision space to network and introduce ourselves and connect. Also follow up; connect and follow up with the people that attend your event or join your group etc. I found that following up and connecting with the people who attended my event, I was able to better understand the individual needs of each person if it is a small group. These were just some of the learnings and takeaways.

ACTION TO TAKE NOW:  Building Your Community

Take action. Start and start it now. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect, forget “I will do it soon” do it now! By doing this it enable you to see if anyone is interested in your community. (test it out) Use Technology to find out where your target audience hangs out, Use Facebook to test to see if you get any interest. UseAs we wrapped up our session, you can reflected on their key takeaways and share your action plans with accountability partners  in your organisation. For instance our goal was clear: to empower Stays & digital nomads, community leaders alike to give them practical tools for effective community building.

By embracing these principles but also take action. You can cultivate meaningful connections and create your community in your own way. By doing this it will  not only enrich your life but also contribute positively to your surroundings—whether locally in Central Istria or globally as you travel the world as a digital nomad.

So let’s take this knowledge forward—let’s build communities that thrive!

Just circling back to the core reason we held this Workshop for Central Istria at #vinomad; and that we learnt from each other we set out to educate the Stay owners in a new and growing market of full time travellers, digital nomads and remote workers and the advantage of Longer staying Digital Nomads to the region. For central Istria to become a goto place for digital nomads to live and work all year round because of all it has to offer with it’s foodie haven, medieval villages and mountainous region filled with adventures of climbing, hiking, 4×4 driving, paragliding, ziplining and caving and so much more. 

The open discussions were great with nomads and there needs when choosing a new location to work and live. For the Stay owners it was understanding this opportunity of digital nomads staying longer and how it can be an advantage to them. The benefits of having longer staying guests of monthly stays rather than nightly guest turn over. To understand more about the digital nomad mindset and their desire to experience the cultures where they stay longer as apposed to the tourist mindset of observing.  The digial nomad are not coming into the community with the intention of “What in it for me” but more “What can I learn, how can I make a difference for the better while I am here”.

Finally, during the workshop and through out our conversations and other workshops throughout the week with other entrepreneurs and community leaders, participants we all developed, new ideas, we individually went away with actionable plans to strengthen our own networks and encourage others to explore more of the region. We hope that you take these ideas and utilise them as steps to consider building your own community.

WHERE TO NEXT? 

Whether your building a community online or offline or both, these elements of community will help and even if you already started one, so take from it what you will, and go and help solve a problem by building a community to serve your niche community.  If your interested JOIN US at Nomad Stays as a member or in our community on Facebook Digital Nomad Explorers community, a community for those travelling full time to find all things digital nomad, accomodation, products and services, ask questions and share your journey. Our Digital Nomad founders community. You can connect with me on LinkedIn where I am happy to discuss more about Community building or starting your digital nomad lifestyle. 

STAY Connected!

By Linda McCall