The organisers of the World Community Development Conference 2026 (WCDC 2026) are delighted to announce that the charity linked with the Community Development Journal (CDJ) is the event's first Platinum Sponsor.

Following the announcement, Jo Howard, Co-chair, Editorial Board of the CDJ, said:

'We are delighted to be in a position to support the WCDC 2026 through sponsorship from the charity linked with the CDJ, and enable practitioners to attend. Our mission as a journal is to support and promote critical engagement around Community Development, and we strongly believe in supporting practitioners to come together to reflect on their practice.'

This significant sponsorship provided by the CDJ for the conference will be directly used to fund bursary support for both local and international delegates. This essential financial aid will help cover travel and other costs, ensuring the participation of practitioners who would otherwise be unable to attend.

“We are incredibly grateful for the Community Development Journal’s commitment to making WCDC 2026 an accessible and truly global event. This sponsorship is transformative, removing financial barriers so that vital voices and experiences from the grassroots level can contribute to the conference in Glasgow,” said Daniel Muia, IACD Chair.

Since 1966 the CDJ has been the leading international journal in Community Development, covering a wide range of topics from policy and planning to action, and fostering debate on theory and practice related to social justice, diversity, and environmental sustainability. It adopts a broad definition of community development to include policy, planning and action as they impact on the life of communities.

As part of the conference programme CDJ will host an international plenary panel to celebrate its 60th anniversary on the theme: Shaped by Past, Co-creating the Future: Community Development in a Turbulent World.

West Dunbartonshire CVS supports, promotes and develops volunteering and third sector activity across the West Dunbartonshire local authority area. They are part of the national network of Third Sector Interfaces, supported by the Scottish Government, and governed by a Trustee Board.

Their vision is of a thriving West Dunbartonshire where quality of life is enriched through volunteering and social action. To achieve this, they work to nurture an empowered, impactful and resilient third sector; appropriately resourced, proportionately regulated and celebrated.

• Promote Ireland's trade and investment objectives
• Promote Irish culture, heritage and tradition
• Maintain and enhance links with Irish communities abroad

We would like to acknowledge the support provided by Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow Convention Bureau for the Conference. Glasgow City Council is the local government authority for the City of Glasgow. It is the largest local authority in Scotland responsible for providing a wide range of public services to over 600,000 residents as well as businesses, workers and visitors to the city. The council's headquarters is the historic Glasgow City Chambers in George Square, the venue for the Conference's International Civic Reception.

The Glasgow Convention Bureau is the city's official organisation responsible for attracting and supporting national and international conferences, corporate meetings and business events. The Convention Bureau is operated under the cultural and leisure arm of Glasgow City Council (Glasgow Life). Voted the UK's best Convention Bureau for 19 consecutive years.