The Central Appalachian Network strives to maximize the impact of collective work by fostering peer-to-peer learning and economic opportunities.
News & Updates
Applications Now CLOSED!
This grant aims to support local communities and organizations throughout Appalachia in increasing their ability to adapt to, prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and changes in environmental conditions. Awards will be announced July 18th, 2025.
Disaster Resiliency Webinar Series
Join Central Appalachian Network and ReImagine Appalachia for a new webinar series May – October that will explore disaster resiliency in Appalachia from causes to mitigation; resilience to recovery; resources to first-hand survivor advice.
PAD Working Group Webinar Series
Join our CAN Processing, Aggregation and Distribution (PAD) Working Group for a monthly informational webinar series aimed for PAD practitioners & food and farm business owners.
Save the Date!
CAN is co-hosting this year’s Big Ideas Festival with Appalachians for Appalachia. This is a multi-day virtual event August 25th, 27th, & 29th (punctuated by in-person after parties) for connection and celebration.
How We Work
CAN is a network of networks led by a Leadership Team comprising a cohort of mentor organizations alongside the co-chairs of each Working Group. The Working Groups are sector-focused networks that coordinate regional analysis and strategies in areas such as Energy; Food and Sustainable Agricultural Systems; Reuse (Materials management and circular economy); Community Resilience; and Ecological Restoration. The larger Central Appalachian Network includes the participants of these sector-based Working Groups, along with an open invitation to those that wish to engage CAN in their own work and community.
Our network of practitioner partners includes nearly 100 different organizations working on community economic development, including nonprofits, local government agencies, lenders, community groups, social enterprises, and academic institutions. These networks are creating economic opportunities that are building on our cultural assets, natural resources, and meeting the needs of our region’s people.