# Thematic Areas
**Source**: https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/
**Parent**: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/ipia/what-we-do-pages/international-research/ext-home.html
## Community Economics & Workforce Development
Purdue Extension aims to grow and improve jobs in Indiana by championing thriving communities, a prosperous economy and a sustainable infrastructure. This thematic area provides evidence-based community-led programming for local and regional organizations as well as traditional programming for businesses and individuals. The ultimate goal is to assist local communities and key decision-makers to collaborate on policies and growth strategies in target sectors to drive economic growth for counties, regions, and all of Indiana.
### Signature Programs
- [Becoming the Employer of Choice](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/becoming-the-employer-of-choice.html "Becoming the Employer of Choice")
- [Business Retention & Expansion](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/business-retention-expansion.html "Business Retention & Expansion")
- [Digital Ready Business](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/digital-ready-business.html "Digital Ready Business")
- [FORWARD – Future Opportunities for Rural Workforce and Rural Development](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/forward.html "FORWARD – Future Opportunities for Rural Workforce and Rural Development")
- [On Local Government](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/on-local-government.html)
- [Work Ready](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/work-ready.html)
- [**Experience Incubator**](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/experience-incubator.html)
### Collaborative Projects
- [Remote Work Certificate](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/remote-work-certificate.html)
- [Succession Planning](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/collaborative-projects/succession-planning.html)
- [Digital Skill Building and Digital Volunteer Initiative](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-economics-workforce-development/collaborative-projects/digital-skills-lessons.html)
## Community Health
Health and wellness are complex concepts rooted in the interaction between individuals, communities, and the community capitals. This thematic area aims to foster improved health and wellness at the community level through community-led, evidence-based educational programming, technical assistance, and facilitated processes that recognize the importance of the social determinants and culture of health.
### Signature Programs
- [Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-health/evps-health.html)
### Collaborative Projects
- [CREW - Compassion & Resilience Education at Work](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-health/collaborative-projects/crew.html)
- [TASC - Taking Action to Address Substance Use in Communities](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-health/collaborative-projects/tasc.html)
## Community Planning
Communities are more resilient and thriving when local leaders and community members have the knowledge, skills, and engagement to plan for the future and respond to existing opportunities and challenges. Community planning extension programs support informed decision-making and increased participation in local planning activities.
### Signature Programs
- [American Citizen Planner – Indiana](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/american-citizen-planner-indiana.html)
- [Digital Ready Community](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/digital-ready-community.html)
- [Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/enhancing-the-value-of-public-spaces.html)
- [Grass to Garden](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/grasstogarden.html)
### Collaborative Projects
- [Environmental Planning and Community Engagement Short Course](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/environmental-planning-and-community-engagement-short-course.html)
- [Green Infrastructure and Hazard Mitigation](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/hazard-mitigation.html)
- [IL-IN Master Watershed Steward Program](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/il-in_master_watershed_steward.html)
- [Land Use](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/land-use.html)
- [One Block at a Time](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/one-block-at-a-time.html)
- [Rainscaping Education Program](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/rainscaping-education-program.html)
- [Renewable Energy](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/rstep/index.html)
- [Rural Housing](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/rural-housing.html)
- [Septic Education and Data Visualization](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/septic-education-and-data-visualization.html)
- [Sustainable Development Goals Series](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/sustainable-development-goals-series.html)
- [Sustainable Living Series](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/sustainable-living-series.html)
- [Total Eclipse 2024](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/community-planning/collaborative-projects/eclipse-2024.html)
## Leadership & Civic Engagement
Strong communities have many capable leaders and an actively engaged group of residents. Extension’s leadership programs help emerging leaders develop the knowledge, skills, and vision needed to lead effectively in 21st-century communities. In addition, its leadership programs expand the capacity of community practitioners to work effectively across various communities.
### Signature Programs
- [Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/leadership-civic-engagement/beginners-guide-to-grant-writing.html)
- [Board Development](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/leadership-civic-engagement/building-stronger-boards.html "Board Development")
- [Community Coaching Learning Circle](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/leadership-civic-engagement/community-coaching.html "Community Coaching Learning Circle")
- [Community Leadership Program](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/leadership-civic-engagement/community-leadership-program.html)
- [Tools for Effective Facilitation](https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/thematic-areas/leadership-civic-engagement/tools-for-effective-facilitation.html)