The Rural Urban Bridge Initiative invites all of us to think differently, talk differently and act differently in order to understand the causes of the rural-urban divide and then do something to repair it. We develop political, economic and communications strategies that build bridges and serve the common interests of all working and middle class Americans.
Kitchen Table Messaging in the Populist Era
Economic populist rhetoric is all the rage in Democratic circles these days, but not all populist messages are equally effective.
In June, the Center for Working Class Politics (CWCP) and the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative (RUBI) conducted a poll (fielded by Verasight) of 6,100 adult Americans, including over 1,000 extra rural respondents so we could analyze rural voters on their own.
Community Works Reduces the Intensity of Partisan Polarization
A new evaluation shows that places with Community Works don’t get pulled as far into the partisan divide as similar communities without it. Over the same period when political dislike and division increased elsewhere, these communities stayed more stable.
The evidence suggests that local, visible civic activity changes how politics is understood. Instead of telling people what to think, Community Works reshapes where politics shows up — less in national shouting matches, more in the everyday work of community life.
Our Work
Trainings and Briefings
We deliver trainings that get to the bottom of the rural-urban divide and how Democrats lost rural and working-class voters, and provide actionable strategies.
Our monthly briefings on topics related to rural-urban polarization and rural politics feature thought leaders in politics, media, communications, and academia.
Community Works
While politicians in Washington are fighting partisan battles, we are finding common ground.
Community Works chapters partner with local civic, church, school, and community groups to strengthen our rural communities and restore trust among neighbors across political differences.
Distilling Best Practices
RUBI has produced a series of manuals on how to run non-polarizing, issue-based campaigns in rural districts and how to communicate effectively with rural voters.
Our guidance is based on original research as well as research conducted by pollsters, academics and strategists.
Policy Solutions
The Rural New Deal is a positive vision for a fair economy for everyday people and a pragmatic blueprint for how we can help build rural prosperity.
The RND was co-authored by RUBI and Progressive Democrats of America with input from rural development practitioners, advocates and leaders.
The Latest
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![A historic train depot building with a sign that reads "Emporia Train Depot" and an older, multi-story building in the background. The scene includes a grassy area, train tracks in the foreground, and a partly cloudy sky.]()
Nonpartisan community action leads to results
"People in rural communities really want to work together, and we're tired of all the national division and nastiness. We are neighbors who've raised our kids together, and we just don't see each other as the devil. So anything that helps people in our community, we're ready to do it together."
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![Poster for RUBI July Briefing featuring Rich Logis, CEO and founder of Leaving MAGA, with a photo of him wearing black glasses, smiling, and background showing outdoor scenery of mountains and fields. Event details: July 8th, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm EST.]()
Our July Briefing with Rich Logis of Leaving MAGA!
Watch our briefing with Founder of Leaving MAGA, Rich Logis.
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![A smiling woman with gray hair and sunglasses on her head, wearing a blue shirt, standing outdoors on a grassy field with trees in the background, next to a green and purple promotion banner for a community works event featuring a logo, a QR code, and text that reads 'Building Trust with Community Works with Meredith Dean, 4th Wednesday, 6:30 PM ET, register link.']()
Community Works Info Session, September 23rd, 6:30PM ET
Find out how to get involved in RUBI’s on-the-ground work to build trust, address concrete local needs, and increase collaboration across the ideological divide in rural and working class communities.
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![An illustration showing two men having a conversation outdoors near a pickup truck and a farm with hills and trees in the background.]()
RUBI in the News
RUBI's latest series with The Guardian
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![A webpage titled 'Community-Building Program Targets Division in Small Towns' from The Daily Yonder, featuring an image of two people, including one with gray hair, engaged in community work, with a subtitle about a study showing non-political community efforts reduce polarization in rural communities.]()
From the Daily Yonder: Polarization decreases with Community Works
“It’s a long-term approach of operating locally, working locally, caring locally,” said National Director, Meredith Dean.
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![Woman speaking in an interview with the headline "The Small-Town Revolt Against Big Tech" and a subheadline about rural communities leading a charge against AI data centers. "The Nation" logo at the top and "Data Center Debate" banner at the bottom.]()
Rethinking Rural
RUBI’s monthly column in The Nation
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![Event poster for a November briefing with Barbara Kingsolver, featuring a photo of Barbara Kingsolver, a book titled Demon Copperhead, and a button labeled 'Watch it on YouTube'.]()
Featured briefing
Barbara Kingsolver joined us for a discussion with Anthony about Appalachia, the challenges working people face every day, and efforts to fight the drug epidemic in the region.
