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The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) and the British Council Canada are pleased to launch Active Citizens Social Enterprise (ACSE) in communities across the country. This is a chance for youth to join 150 young leaders from across Canada to learn how to use the ACSE framework to address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in your local community.

Active Citizens Social Enterprise is a social leadership training programme that promotes community led development through a social enterprise lens. ACSE training helps participants to become more self-aware and confident as leaders, strengthen their capacity to communicate, and build strong relationships with others.

Apply to Active Citizens Social Enterprise

Who is eligible?

If you are a young leader (aged 18 – 35) living in Canada, if you are committed to and passionate about social entrepreneurship, community-engagement, social development, if you have a passion for the SDGs and an idea for how you could address one of the Sustainable Development Goals in your community, then ACSE wants you!

What will you do?

If you win a place on the ACSE programme, you will take part in a 3-day ACSE immersive training session over a weekend in January or February 2017. Training sessions will take place in six cities across Canada (Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax). Travel bursaries will be available if you do not live in one of those cities.

Armed with the ACSE framework, you will return to your community after the training to implement your proposed SDG intervention throughout 2017, with the support of peer or business mentors.

You could also have the opportunity to be chosen among other participants to be part of the programme’s Innovation Summit in Ottawa in March 2017 (10 participants will be chosen by a multidisciplinary Selection Commitee). The Summit will showcase the youth’s passion and commitment for social enterprise while convening high level representatives from public and private sectors, innovation-focused enterprises and start-ups, social enterprises of all sizes, British Council and UN representatives. This Summit will also provide opportunity for partnership development, to showcase social enterprise, ideas and innovation.

Programme Schedule

December 2016

Official launch of ACSE
Youth recruitment and selection of participants for the ASCE training sessions January and February 2017
Training sessions to take place in Vancouver, Edmonton, Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, and Winnipeg
ACSE participants engaged in the Canadian International Model United Nations 2017
Selection of candidates for the Innovation Summit

March 2017

Ottawa Innovation Summit

How can you get involved?

You can apply by completing the application form, or share this opportunity with your network. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the end of February 2017. Application deadline is a week before each training date. Late applications may be considered depending on number of applicants.

Learn more about Active Citizens Social Enterprise

coop canada On November 28th, 2016, Alexandra Mendès, Member of Parliament for Brossard – Saint-Lambert, tabled Motion M-100. The purpose of Motion M-100 is to provide for the development and implementation of a strategy in order to promote and support Canada’s co-operative sector.

“My motion calls on the Government of Canada to continue to recognise the important role that co-operatives play in the Canadian economy and to ensure that Canada’s co-operatives continue to thrive,” stated Mrs. Mendès.

Last June Ms. Mendès tabled Bill C-286 An act respecting the establishment of a framework to promote the development of co-operatives in Canada and amending the Department of Industry Act and other Acts. The purpose of Bill C-286 was to provide for the establishment and implementation of a framework to promote the development of co-operatives in Canada and to amend the Department of Industry Act and the Regional Development Agency Acts to specify that, within their mandates, federal ministers and agencies are to develop and promote the co-operative model in Canada.

“At the time of tabling C-286, I explained that it was the continuation of the work started by my then colleague, the late Honourable Mauril Bélanger, and implementation of the recommendations that came from the Special Committee on Co-operatives in 2012. After much thought and discussion, I have come to the conclusion that a motion is a better tool to continue the work that has been accomplished to date because the motion uses stronger language and, if successful, would firmly establish the support of the House of Commons for the development of a strategy to further Strengthen Canada’s Co-operatives,” explained the Member of Parliament for Brossard—Saint-Lambert. “Mauril often said that co-operatives, especially new ones, face significant challenges capitalising themselves and that there is clearly a role for the federal government to play,” said Mrs. Mendès.

Furthermore, Mrs. Mendès believes that a motion undergoes a quicker and less arduous process than a Private Member’s Bill since it does not need multiple readings in the House of Commons, does not need to be studied by a parliamentary committee and does not require to be debated or voted in the Senate. In fact, a motion simply requires two hours of debate before being voted on by the House. These factors have led to her decision of moving forward with this motion.

Alexandra Mendès strongly encourages all members to read her motion and to vote in favour of strengthening the co-operative sector.

Motion of Support for the Co-operative Sector

That, in the opinion of the House, the government should recognise the important role co-operatives play in the economy and ensure that they continue to thrive by taking concrete steps such as: (a) developing, in consultation with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous communities and the co-operative sector, a federal co-operative strategy to promote and support Canada’s co-operative sector; and (b) providing periodic progress reports on pre-established goals and targets.

SOURCE: Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada

The Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program is a four-month (May 1 – August 25, 2017) education program offered by Coady Institute’s International Centre for Women’s Leadership. This program enables indigenous women to strengthen their leadership capacities in order to contribute to change in their communities within a culturally safe environment of sharing between women. Two on campus components bookend a community placement period over the summer months during which time the participants are supported by a mentor who can guide the application of new knowledge.

During this time, IWCL participants showcase and hone their leadership skills, address community priorities, engage and build upon community strengths. Once the program is complete, the graduates and mentors are linked through an IWCL network through which they can support each other in creating change beyond the temporal boundaries of the program.

“The skills, tactics and life experience I obtained as an IWCL participant are at the top of my library of resources that I reach for every day as a front-line worker in First Nations communities. The facilitators have the knowledge and experience to provide context into how the material could be applied within Indigenous communities.” 2013 Coady graduate

Learn more and apply to the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program

Who should take the program?

This program is open to First Nation, Métis or Inuit women who are legally entitled to work in Canada. Successful candidates demonstrate that they have some leadership experience through community involvement, community organization or volunteer work, must be passionate about working in and developing their communities, and must be committed to this program for its duration. Participants are chosen through a rigorous selection process with a review committee of indigenous program faculty and experienced indigenous women leaders.

Saskatoon co-operator extraordinaire, Harold Chapman, has been named to the Order of Canada! Harold is being recognized for his seven+ decades of co-operative leadership, which has impacted people in Saskatchewan, Canada, and countries around the world. The Saskatchewan Co-operative Association, a longtime member of the Canadian CED Network, is pleased to have supported his nomination for this prestigious award.

For more news regarding Harold’s being named to the Order of Canada:

99-year-old Saskatoon man named to Order of Canada (Global News)
Sask. Order of Canada recipient says honour recognizes importance of co-operatives movement (CBC)
Three Sask. residents named to Order of Canada (Saskatoon Star Phoenix)
Long-time Saskatonians to receive Order of Canada honours: (650 CKOM)
Making the Links radio interview with Harold Chapman
Ondaatje, Kaspi, Ignatieff among 100 Order of Canada honoreeshe Globe and Mail (The Globe and Mail)

Check out the profile video below from when Harold was recognized with a Saskatchewan Co-operative Merit Award in 2014

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Our offices will be closed from December 24th to January 2nd, inclusive.

We look forward to working with you to strengthen community economies in the New Year!

After 2 days on board the train – internet-less (much to the demise of Audrey-Anne who’s just about to breakdown) – we arrive at dawn in the surprising city of Winnipeg.

“The Peg” – as trendy locals call it – resembles a secret garden. Under a somewhat harsh allure lays an effervescent world about to explode. One finds delicious coffee shops (including The Forth and Fools & Horses, our home bases for a few days), delicious breakfasts, innovative start-ups, a social finance network unique in Canada, and dynamic entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in their environment. Our stay allows us to meet real change-makers who shape the image of their city.

Social Finance: A Booming Sector

On Tuesday, November 15, we attended the Social Finance Forum in Winnipeg. Organized by the Canadian CED Network (Community Economic Development), the Forum proved to be an excellent platform for understanding the realities of social finance in Manitoba. Good news: the sector is booming!

In recent years, the Manitoba government has turned to social enterprises as a “vehicle to reduce poverty through job creation”. The province “has also been undertaking structural changes to better align training resources with poverty reduction and social inclusion activity.”

Supported by a number of stakeholders such as CED, the growing ecosystem allows private companies, government bodies, NPOs and for-profit businesses to build on common values to promote social entrepreneurship in Manitoba.

The Forum allowed us to fully understand the existing models. But mostly, it has enabled us to validate Canadians and social entrepreneurs’ need for a bank that represents them. One involved in creating value and has a positive impact on people and the environment.

Meeting Entrepreneurs One-On-One

For the remainder of the week, we tried something different. After the Forum, we quickly realized we could not approach Winnipeg like other communities. Rather than engaging in our traditional workshops, we sat down with entrepreneurs, one-on-one. We wanted to understand their challenges and envision the ecosystem within a more global vision.

We met with entrepreneurs from all walks of life: Dan and Suzanne from North Forge, an innovation hub and the biggest FabLab in North America; David from Citi Grow, an urban agriculture endeavour; James and Wadood from the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce; Shaun from the Social Enterprise Center. Their thought sharing allowed us to identify important issues. The impak Finance team will consider these issues in the coming months to create an offer in support of young Winnipeg entrepreneurs:

Establish a mentoring program and a project accelerator program for entrepreneurs.
Ensure entrepreneurs’ financial understanding and stay in touch to safeguard their company’s financial health.
Engage with the community at the very base rather than maintain lopsided power relationships between bank and borrowers.
Promote capital for start-ups and young entrepreneurs with access to microcredit to start their business, and multi-source finance solutions between the bank, the entrepreneurs and their community.

We left Winnipeg with a head full of ideas, inspired by its entrepreneurs and by its vibrant, growing ecosystem. It is becoming increasingly clear that each place is different and we must not neglect an environment’s peculiarities if we wish to properly integrate. It’s a challenge! But we are ready to work with the different provinces to make our dream a real success. Now more than ever!

Originally published by impak Finance on November 30, 2016

Laurence Audette-Lagueux is a Community Architect with impak Finance. She is also Connector/Community Manager with OuiShare Montréal and was previously Crowdfunding Campaign Manager with KissKissBankBank in Montréal.

SFU’s Community Economic Development program has officially launched LEAP! (Local Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program) with a new website. LEAP! is an eight week accelerator program for brand new start-up social entrepreneurs in rural B.C.

Using a lean start-up model, LEAP! prepares small groups of entrepreneurs to launch new local businesses in their communities.

What is an accelerator?

An accelerator teaches people how to evaluate their business idea in the most efficient way possible.

What is a social entrepreneur?

Many entrepreneurs are tackling social problems, and define their businesses as social enterprise or social venture. In our view, any person creating a job for themselves and growing their local economy is a social entrepreneur.

How does it work?

The LEAP! program is offered in partnership with community-based organizations. To date, SFU Community Economic Development Program has worked with Community Futures Sunshine Coast and Kootenay Employment Services.

The local partner recruits five to seven participants, provides a classroom and cares about the success of the participants. SFU provides a recruitment kit, the curriculum, and the instructor.

The LEAP! program uses a flipped classroom model, with the cohort gathering together in a classroom to work with our live, online instructor, Eric Alex.

At the end of the eight weeks, the partner hosts a barn-raiser celebration, basically a really friendly dragon’s den, where participants can practice pitching their ideas.

Why is LEAP! Important?

LEAP! helps build a community’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, directly driving economic growth and strengthening the local economy. Communities with strong local economies are more resilient, have a lower carbon footprint, and are better insulated against global economic ups and downs.

LEAP! Impacts

In seven LEAP! sessions, 100% of LEAP! participants learned the lean start-up process with 77% of participants deciding to launch a business. To date, 28 businesses are now operating in the market.

Find out more on the LEAP! website.

Last year was a busy one for CCEDNet. Here is an overview of some of our accomplishments.
2016 Highlights • Web traffic continues to grow with 2,000 unique visitors each week on our seven websites. Our online toolbox now has over 1,100 resources and there are nearly 200 posts on our blog. • Our Facebook page now has over 1,800 likes and our Twitter account surpassed 2,800 followers. • Videos on our YouTube channel have been viewed 16,000 times. • In 2016, our websites received more than 150,000 visits for news, events, resources & jobs.	• In June, we held our second fully virtual AGM with online voting & simultaneous translation. • CCEDNet staff and members were active at CommonBound, the New Economy Coalition conference in Buffalo and the Global Social Economy Forum in Montréal. • Our 14th annual Manitoba Gathering brought together nearly 500 people & featured keynotes from Harsha Walia and Karen Joseph
• CCEDNet-Ontario published an updated provincial social enterprise survey and began trusteeing Social Enterprise Toronto, hosting the 2nd biennial conference.		• CCEDNet co-organized the North American Forum on the Social Solidarity Economy in Detroit.
• ECONOUS2016, the national CED conference, returned after 6 years with a fabulous gathering in downtown Montréal, hosted by CEDEC. • Eight national webinars on topics like Ontario’s Social Enterprise Strategy, New Brunswick’s new CED corporations and Environmental Justice for Affordable Housing attracted 256 participants. • Spark, CCEDNet’s pro bono matching service, leveraged almost $140,000 in short term, specific and high impact assistance for non profits working for social change in Winnipeg • CCEDNet-Manitoba began implementing the three-year Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy, including a new website and the first Winnipeg Social Finance Forum. • SEOntario.org, our virtual showcase of social enterprise in Ontario published a social enterprise holiday gift guide in collaboration with 20 partners that received over 5,000 views.	• CCEDNet hosted a gathering of funders, policy-makers and thought leaders to consider ‘What’s Next for CED‘ in the leadup to ECONOUS2016. • CCEDNet submitted recommendations for the 2016 and 2017 Federal Budgets and were invited to present them twice to the federal Finance Committee. • Policy proposals for Canada’s Innovation Agenda, labour market transfers, and global leadership on the social solidarity economy were provided to key federal officials. • CCEDNet-Manitoba promoted CED during the provincial election and with municipal officials and delivered 10 capacity building workshops.
All this is possible thanks to our members and funders. Join us by becoming a member, or support the movement for inclusive and sustainable economies by making a donation.

Downtown Eastside Market On November 30th, Vancouver city councillors approved phase II of the Community Economic Development Strategy for the Downtown Eastside. Over $350,000 will be allocated to “Quick Start Projects” and “Feasibility Studies and Program Development”.

“Central to the Phase II vision is the creation of a full range of employment and income generation opportunities that are open regardless of gender, ethnicity, age or ability, with a view of the local economy as a continuum of opportunity from survival-work to formal employment.”

“Previous economic revitalization strategies have tended to focus on (more formal types of jobs), largely because senior levels of government were involved in sort of dictating what the priorities were,” said Wes Regan, a planner for community economic development at the city. This new approach “actually reflects more the reality of what the local economy is like in the Downtown Eastside, as opposed to what government partners wish it would look like,” he said.

In mid-2017 the City Council will look at approving the third phase, with additional funding recommendations, that will look at implementing long-term actions.

The CED Strategy was developed by the Community Economic Development Strategic Action Committee (CEDSAC) which is made up of 35 community groups, businesses and other local stakeholders. The strategy contains nine core Ideas and twenty-two actions, and is built on several years of partnerships supporting social innovation, social enterprise and other local economic initiatives in the Downtown Eastside.

More Resources

The Ontario Co-operative Association are still accepting applications for the critically acclaimed Fundamentals of Co-operative Organizations (FCO) certificate program, which begins January 12 and ends March 25, 2017.

The program is results-driven, practical and optimized for working professionals. Designed to equip co-operative businesses with highly skilled leaders, graduates will ultimately strengthen their co-operative organizations with their capacity to respond to the unique challenges they face. Some of the key things program participants will gain are:

LEARNING specialized knowledge in areas such as governance, membership development, legislation, financing and co-op development;
DEVELOPING critical thinking, management and leadership skills;
ADVANCING their career in the co-operative sector; and
STRENGTHENING network connections of colleagues from across the sector.

The curriculum has been developed by leading co-op executives in partnership with York University’s Schulich School of Business. It combines both an integrated online and in-class component, which are optimized to work around participants’ busy schedules. The program emphasizes teamwork and provides students with insights into leadership and organizational dynamics, while creating opportunities to build relationships with peers and professors. Invaluable opportunities to engage with sector executives also takes place during the “Lunch-n-Learn” sessions.

Students are welcome from anywhere in Ontario, Canada or from abroad, but must be able to attend all three seminars in person in Toronto.

They will commit to 10 weeks of part-time study, which includes:

Six evening webinars, scheduled on Tuesdays from 7pm – 8.30pm. (There is generally little pre-work required for these sessions);
Three face-to-face seminars, each running from 9am – 4.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. (They are scheduled 4-6 weeks apart, and require students to be present onsite in Toronto);
A Thursday evening reception and course introduction will precede the first seminar in Toronto;
Two assignments which take about ten hours each to research and complete.

Apply to the Fundamentals of Co-operative Organizations certificate program

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

There are a few different funding options available to assist our applicants with the cost of the course.

Thanks to a grant from the CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., a limited number of bursaries are available to representatives of small, as well as new (0 -5 years) and emerging co-operatives wishing to take the FCO program. Successful recipients will receive between $500 – $1,000 pending need and availability of funds. Apply for this funding IN WRITING to Lauren Hillson (lhillson at ontario.coop), FCO Program Administrator with On Co-op, by December 17, 1016. The request letter must include:

The type of financial assistance requested;
The amount of upfront financial contribution that can be made; and
The benefits to the student and/or organization of participating in the FCO Program.

Individuals and organizations can also apply for a job training grant through the Government’s Canada Job Grant Ontario fund…click for more information!

Payment plans are also available to those who require financial assistance, but who are not eligible for a bursary. Contact Lauren (lhillson at ontario.coop) for information, or review the Funding Assistance Guidelines.

For more detailed information on fees, eligibility criteria, the faculty and the application process, visit The Fundamentals of Cooperative webpage.

The deadline is December 31, 2016, so get your application in and take advantage of this great professional development opportunity!

“The learning I did in this course BLEW MY MIND!”
– Crystal McNerney, graduate of the most recent cohort in May 2016

Happy Holidays from CCEDNet!
CED Holiday Buying & Giving Guide 2016

Are you spreading the holiday cheer this year? This guide is designed to help extend the reach of that cheer through encouraging thoughtful buying and giving.

We have compiled some creative gift ideas and shopping guides to provide you with the tools and information you need to have a CED-filled holiday season. See anything missing from this list? We will be adding more tips between now and Christmas so don’t hesitate to send your additions to communications at ccednet-rcdec.ca.

This Holiday, Buy Social

Social Enterprise Gift Giving Guide from SEontario.org
This holiday season why not make a purchase that won’t just make the receiver happy, but will also benefit Ontario, and your local community. Each gift you buy this holiday season can have significant impact on your community. Thanks to the newly launched Social Enterprise Gift Guide, extending the impact of your gift giving is now easier than ever. The Guide features a wide variety of products created by Canada’s diverse social enterprise sector, representing for-profit and non-profit organizations, cooperatives and B Corps. [more]

Use the Social Enterprise Marketplace to Find Gifts from Social Enteprises
Interested in buying from social enterprises this holiday season? Check out this online marketplace from the Social Enterprise Canada to research social enterprises by name, industry, location and/or the social purpose they achieve. [more]

Join the Social Purchasing Portal’s Holiday Shopping Bus Tour in Winnipeg
Find unique gifts for the holidays and make a difference with your dollar! Join this shopping tour of Winnipeg on Saturday, December 10th and be part of the movement to support the local economy [more]

Co-operative Gift Bundle
Buying gifts for the holidays can be an ethical statement that helps build a new economy. The Toolbox for Education and Social Action put together their most popular items with the best—and most delicious—gifts produced by the co-op movement. [more]

#BuyGoodFeelGood Gift Guide from thefairtradeshow.com
Businesses that exhibit at The Fair Trade Show are committed to social justice, the environment and poverty reduction through fair trade practices and innovative business solutions. Browse a wide selection of ethically sourced products that will make the perfect holiday gift. Buy Good. Feel Good. [more]

My New Neighbour Holiday Shopping Guide
Join two young women on an ethical shopping journey. These two want to break free of the mindless materialism we have grown up in and start to meet their ‘new’ global neighbours. In this guide, find gifts “For Her”, “For Him”, “For Kids” and “For Home”. [more]

This Holiday, Buy Local

Saul Good Gift Co
Saul Good Gift Co. is a Vancouver gift basket business featuring the best tasting local artisan treats in BC. All items are selected because they’re delicious, small-batch, and exclusive. Their work with social enterprise ensures that each and every gift basket gives back to the community. [more]

The #yegSanta Project
The Local Good is Edmonton‘s online hub for local and green living. Keep tabs on the