The Community Collaborative Conversation initiative is an intentional way for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to listen deeply, build trust, and make sure community voices shape the state’s economic and workforce priorities. These conversations invite residents, service providers, employers, and local partners to share real experiences and identify what their communities need most—whether it's workforce pathways, small business support, equitable access to services, or improved program design.

DEED hosts these sessions because meaningful engagement leads to better outcomes. According to DEED’s Collaborative Community Conversation framework, this approach strengthens trust in government by ensuring information flows transparently and consistently, improves policy recommendations and program delivery, and creates a system for capturing and using community input in an accountable way.