Since 1966 the leading international journal in its field, covering a wide range of topics, reviewing significant developments and providing a forum for cutting-edge debates about theory and practice. It adopts a broad definition of community development to include policy, planning and action as they impact on the life of communities. We particularly seek to publish critically focused articles which challenge received wisdom, report and discuss innovative practices, and relate issues of community development to questions of social justice, diversity and environmental sustainability.
Translated abstracts
Abstracts from Community Development Journal are translated into French, Spanish, and Chinese and are free to read online.
Special issues
Explore special thematic issues from the CDJ archive.
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Practical Action Publishing is proud to be a part of the Glasgow World Community Development Conference 2026.
Established in 1974, Practical Action Publishing demonstrates how knowledge, collaboration and action can drive meaningful community development. As a not-for-profit publisher, we are committed to challenging poverty and injustice by amplifying diverse voices and promoting inclusive knowledge. Our publishing programme spans critical areas including climate resilience, gender, agriculture, water, energy and humanitarian response, making the voices of practitioners and communities heard worldwide.
Through journals, books, and open-access resources, Practical Action Publishing bridges the gap between research and real-world practice. Our aim is simple: to ensure that ideas do not remain theoretical, but instead empower communities to build resilient livelihoods and shape their own futures in the face of poverty, inequality and climate vulnerability. Our resources inform policy, feature in news articles and global definitions of terms, and are chosen as course texts and technical manuals. In the past year alone, our content reached readers in 95% of countries.
From participatory approaches to community-led transformation, our resources equip practitioners, policymakers and researchers with the tools needed to create lasting impact. With over 2,000 books and thousands of journal articles, our catalogue supports learning across disciplines and amplifies voices from across the globe.
During the conference we invite you to connect with us at [email protected] to explore opportunities to collaborate, partner, or publish your work. Practical Action Publishing provides expert editorial support, global dissemination, and a platform designed to connect your ideas with audiences who can turn them into action.
We also provide flexible eLibrary packages, enabling institutions and organisations to access essential development knowledge affordably, supporting teaching, research and practice worldwide
Be part of a community that believes big change starts small – and that sharing knowledge is the first step toward transforming lives.
Links to specific community development subject lists:
https://practicalactionpublishing.com/book-subject/310/social-development
https://practicalactionpublishing.com/book-subject/308/participation
Contact details: [email protected]
Social media:
BlueSky: @papublishing.bsky.social
Instagram: @practicalactionpublishing
LinkedIn @PracticalActionPublishing
Facebook: @PracticalActionPublishing
The CLD Standards Council, as the Professional Registration and Standards Body (PRSB), is a place where Community Learning & Development professionals, students and volunteers can share information and learn from each other. We are a membership-based organisation, a Scotland-wide community of people committed to improving lives and supporting communities.
We believe that the work done by our members across the country really matters. We always aim to nurture their personal and professional development. That, in turn, helps them support and strengthen the communities they work in.
A further strand of our work is to set and maintain standards for what’s expected from people working in CLD across Scotland. We do that by approving college and university courses, and by bringing our members together to share knowledge, learning and good practice, and to uphold collectively agreed standards from those working in our sector.
As a Scotland-wide organisation supporting those who are delivering essential work across the country’s diverse communities, we are committed to using our collective voice to influence and inform those who lead, manage and fund CLD.
Contact details: [email protected]
Web: www.cldstandardscouncil.org.uk
i-Develop: www.i-develop-cld.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/CLDStandardsCouncil
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cld-standards-council-scotland/