Valuing lived experience by amplifying underheard voices and pushing beyond the limits of institutionally collected data

At New Sun Rising, our Community Voice initiative is designed to center the lived experiences of community members, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Through the Community Voice survey, we gather feedback and testimonials both digitally and in person. Participants are invited to share their perspectives on the present strengths and challenges of their community, as well as their hopes, fears, and expectations for the future.

A unique feature of the initiative is the integration of Ana AI, our virtual assistant. Ana AI helps participants, partners, and advocates explore and analyze the rich qualitative data collected through Community Voice. By coding responses using our Impact Framework (Sustainable Development Goals), Resource Framework (Community Capitals), and sentiment analysis, Ana AI enables users to uncover driving forces and priorities within their communities. This more nuanced view goes beyond numbers, re-centering people in the process of community planning and supporting stronger grant proposals, communications, and advocacy campaigns.

At New Sun Rising, we believe that contextual expertise—the knowledge and insights of those with lived experience—should be considered as important as, if not more important than, institutionally collected data when assessing investment opportunities, risks, and community needs.