Thousands of co-op and credit union members across Canada will be holding events on Thursday, January 12 to officially launch the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives. A national launch event will take place at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre from 11:30 to 1:30 EST, together with 13 regional launch events. The Ottawa event will feature a live webcast starting at 12:30 EST. The webcast can be viewed here.
Participants across the country are also being encouraged to report on their events on Twitter using the hashtag #coop12jan.
The launch events will take place in the following locations (the listed start times are the local times in each region):
Ottawa (national launch): 11:30 a.m., Fountain Room, National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin Street
Yellowknife, NT: 9:30 a.m., Northern Images Gallery, 4801 Franklin Avenue
CCEDNet Manitoba hosted its annual Policy Summit in November to determine our policy directions and priorities for the coming year. Over 40 CCEDNet Manitoba members attended the Summit to discuss, debate and vote on our collective policy agenda for 2012. CCEDNet members approved ten Policy Resolutions on areas including co-operative housing, support for social enterprise and reducing utility bills for low income Manitobans.
CCEDNet will partner with its members in the coming year to advance the Resolutions that were identified through the Summit process. CCEDNet also remains committed to working towards achieving our 2011 Policy Resolutions that are at varying stages of progress.
At the conclusion of the International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy, Québec’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy suggested that an interprovincial meeting on the social economy be held to continue to advance and support work that provinces are doing across Canada.
In support of that suggestion, the coalition of groups that organized the National Summit on a People-Centred Economy sent a letter to Minister Lessard encouraging him to move forward on that idea, and offering our support.
Spark, a service of CCEDNet, was recently profiled in two widely-circulated news sources in Winnipeg.
On Manitoba, the alumni magazine of the University of Manitoba, and the Winnipeg Free Press both featured articles on Spark’s work in connecting non-profit organizations in Winnipeg with volunteers who have specialized skills.
The On Manitoba article includes a profile on Spark’s program coordinator Geoff Ripat, who is a graduate of the U of M. In the Winnipeg Free Press, Matt Prepost highlights a match that Spark made between a new social enterprise cafe and an interior designer.
Follow the links below to read these great profiles:
Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 12:00pm Eastern, 9:00am Pacific
Register TODAY and join us to learn about how fair trade is strengthening communities in Canada and around the world.
BACKGROUND Over the last 15 years, the fair trade market has grown exponentially. But in the context of continued globalization, is it actually changing economic systems and building sustainable livelihoods? Through an evaluation of fair trade for rural women knitters in Bolivia to the promotion of Fair Trade in Manitoba, and a new initiative to create a Canadian Fair Trade coalition, this webinar will assess the impacts of fair trade and its contribution to economic empowerment.
SPEAKERS: • Jean-Frédéric Lemay, JFL Consultants • Tamara Stenn, Keene State College, New Hampshire • Zach Gross, Manitoba Council for International Cooperation A question and answer period will follow.
SESSION LOGISTICS: • Date: Tuesday December 13, 2011 • Webinar begins at 12:00 noon Eastern time, 9:00 am Pacific time • Participation is free of charge • Register by December 11th to obtain connection information and additional resources. This session will be in English.
Please share this invitation to interested members or contacts.
To wind up five years of research on the social economy in Canada, the Canadian Social Economy Hub is pleased to announce a final series of three telelearning sessions scheduled for the end of November. The three unique but interrelated sessions present the depth of research produced by the regional and national nodes, drawing on three ebooks that are soon to be published on the following subjects:
Community-University Partnerships November 25, 2011 at 12pm Eastern Time (9am Pacific Time) http://www.socialeconomyhub.ca/node/3246
How are communities and universities partnering together to advance the social economy? What models exist for these kinds of partnerships? This session will present lessons from the six years of the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships by the co-editors of the new book, Community-University Research Partnerships: Reflections on the Canadian Social Economy Experience
Featuring… Peter Hall, Associate Professor in the Urban Studies Program at Simon Fraser University, and Chair, CCEDNet Research Advisory Committee Ian MacPherson, Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Canadian Social Economy Hub.
Moderator: Michael Toye, Executive Director of the Canadian CED Network
A Thematic Analysis of the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships
November 29, 2011 at 12pm Eastern Time (9am Pacific Time) http://www.socialeconomyhub.ca/node/3247
Close to 400 products were generated through the various research projects coming out of the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships (CSERP). In this session, the co-authors of a new book analysing the major research themes present key findings from the most prominent research topics.
Featuring… Joy Emmanuel, co-op developer, researcher, and CED practitioner living at OUR Ecovillage on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Matthew Thompson, knowledge mobilization specialist with the Canadian CED Network.
Moderator: Ian MacPherson, Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Canadian Social Economy Hub.
Public Policy and the Social Economy
December 1, 2011 at 12pm Eastern Time (9am Pacific Time) http://www.socialeconomyhub.ca/node/3248
Over the five years of the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships, public policy emerged as a significant theme. Drawing upon the findings of Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships (CSERP) reports, this session will review the key public policy issues for the development of the social economy and look ahead to the policy recommendations that could further stimulate the growth of the sector.
Featuring…. Rupert Downing, Executive Director of the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria and Co-Director of the Canadian Social Economy Research Hub
Moderator: Jorge Sousa, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, and Co-Chair, CSEHub Public Policy Committee
CALL LOGISTICS:
All calls will last 1 hour with opportunities for questions and discussion. Connection information will only be provided to those who register. To ensure you receive this information make sure to register at least 2 days in advance of the telelearning session.
These sessions will be in English.
REGISTRATION:
Register online (make sure to select only those sessions you wish to attend)
For questions about registration please contact Matthew Thompson by phoning 1-416-760-2578 or e-mailing .
Limited number of spaces available – Register soon!
This spring, CCEDNet’s Policy Council updated our Policy Prioritiesto build on the momentum of last year’s National Summit on a People-Centred Economy. A summary version has been sent to every MP’s Ottawa office, and we encourage you to send it to your constituency offices when promoting your work with federal partners.
Also, why not share a copy with your Board and staff members, to highlight CCEDNet’s role as a voice for CED in Canada?
This spring, CCEDNet’s Policy Council updated our Policy Priorities to build on the momentum of last year’s National Summit on a People-Centred Economy. A summary version will being sent to every MP’s Ottawa office in the coming days, and we encourage you to send it to your constituency offices when promoting your work with federal partners.
2. Do You Know Your Return on Investment?
Have you done a return on investment (ROI) or social return on investment (SROI) calculation for your programs and services? Our updated Policy Priorities present some of the ROI and SROI calculations that members have shared. Demonstrating the value of our activities and approaches is a valuable strategy for promoting members’ work. If you have an ROI or SROI calculation f or your organization or program, please send it to Kirsten Bernas at to help build the case!
3. Federal Pre-Budget Brief
This summer, CCEDNet submitted our Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as part of their consultations in preparation for the 2012 federal budget. Our three recommendations for a sustained economic recovery encourage the federal government to build capacity in community enterprises, enhance procurement practices, and improve access to finance.
4. New Publication: Building a Federal Policy Framework and Program in Support of CED
CCEDNet’s latest report addresses the ongoing challenge for CED organizations in Canada to maximize their long-term community benefit when multi-year funding for core organizational costs remains out of reach. To remedy this problem, the report recommends the development and implementation of a federal CED Policy Framework and Neighbourhood Revitalization Program (NRP) modelled after the Government of Manitoba’s CED Policy Framework and Neighbourhoods Alive! program.
Spark is the Canadian CED Network’s capacity building service for non-profits in Winnipeg engaged in community renewal, poverty alleviation and social change using a community development or CED approach. Spark staff work with organizations to define their skill and capacity gaps, and then connect them to relevant resources. The centrepiece of the service is arranging matches between organizations and volunteers with specialized skills (from a wide variety of professions) to provide time-limited but crucial technical assistance.
6. CCEDNet Helps Skyworks Charitable Foundation Promote Documentaries on Homelessness
CCEDNet has partnered with Skyworks Charitable Foundation in helping to promote the Home Safe documentary series, which examines the impact of homelessness on Canadian families. The three-part series examines the systemic roots of homelessness in Toronto, Calgary, and Hamilton as a consequence of economic restructuring, discrimination and displacement. More importantly, these documentaries give a voice to the families who are struggling with homelessness and presents an opportunity to hear firsthand the complex challenges of poverty.
Click here to learn more about Home Safe and view film clips.
7. New On-line Resources on International Co-operation
CCEDNet’s International Committee is offering a series of webinars on themes that connect CED initiatives in Southern countries with Canada. Resources and recordings of past sessions on community forestry, microcredit, the co-construction of public policy and FIESS 2011, and food security and sovereignty are available on our website.
Upcoming topics will likely include women’s economic empowerment, fair trade and CED, cooperative development and sustainable tourism. Watch future bulletins for more information.
8. Ready for a Change of Scenery?
CCEDNet’s International webinars are supported by Uniterra, one of Canada’s largest volunteer placement programs. With placements from two weeks to two years, there are always opportunities to explore new cultures, share your expertise and support local organizations that are working actively to improve living conditions around the world. Current postings include an Organizational Capacity Development Advisor in Botswana and a Marketing Advisor in Nepal.
Have a video you want to share? We post and ‘favourite’ videos on our YouTube Channel, such as this one with the very eloquent (and CCEDNet founding member) Rankin MacSween explaining the wisdom and potential impacts of investing locally.
We also post frequent news updates and announcements to our Facebook fan page and Twitter stream, and have many more videos available on our YouTube channel.
CED News and Upcoming Events
10. The International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy
More than 1,300 participants from over 70 countries have registered for the International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy that will take place in Montréal, October 17-20.
An impressive line-up of Canadian and international speakers, workshops, site visits and complementary activities will provide a unique opportunity to connect with peers from the non-profit, co-operative and social enterprise sectors.
Canadians attending are invited to a teleconference meeting on October 13 at 12pm to meet each other, compare learning objectives, and provide information on blogging, tweeting and sharing learnings with each other and with others across the country. To join the discussion, click here.
FIESS Registration closes October 11. Click here for more information and to register.
11. Two International Worker Co-op Conferences in Beautiful Québec City
Business Succession and Employee Ownership Oct 11-13, 2011: experts share their experiences with co-operatives as a solution to the growing challenge of business succession. World renowned presenters include Félice Scalvini, Vice-President, International Co-operative Alliance
North American Worker Co-op Conference Oct 13-15, 2011: an historic occasion to discuss best practices with worker co-operators from Canada, the U.S., Spain, France, Italy, and Argentina and hear many speakers, including Amy Goodman from Democracy Now!
12. 2011 Manitoba CD/CED Gathering: October 21st
Registration is now open for the 9th annual Manitoba CD/CED Gathering: Enough, For All, Forever. Last year, over 600 participants enjoyed the wide range of workshops, helpful hints for building capacity and engaging your community, networking and connecting with people from a variety of sectors, and celebrating the success of CED initiatives across the province.
This year, the Gathering is pleased to have a keynote address from renowned author and member of the Atlantic Speaker’s Bureau, Silver Donald Cameron, and the Manitoba premier of the Economics of Happiness.
Registration is now open for the fourth Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise which will be held in Halifax, November 20-22. The program includes intensive day-long and half-day training sessions on topics such as introduction to social enterprise, demonstrating value, governance for social enterprise, business planning skills, marketing, financial analysis, social enterprise franchising, supporting and building social enterprise in Canada.
Click here for more information and to register.
14. Northern Summit on the Social Economy
As the Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada completes its activities, it is convening a final Northern Summit on the Social Economy, Nov 22-23 in Yellowknife.
The Evaluating Community Impact: Capturing and Making Sense of Community Outcomes workshop is a three-day, interactive learning event designed to increase the capacity of leaders involved in community change efforts to better understand and evaluate the outcomes of these efforts.
This workshop is geared towards people involved in community change initiatives with an interest and some basic experience with evaluation. It will be held Nov 29 – Dec 1 in Kitchener, Ontario.
Read more
16. Become a Member
Thank you to our members, funders, and sustaining members such as Ryan Gibson and the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal who make our work possible.
The Fourth Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise
November 20-22, 2011 Halifax, Nova Scotia
[ CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ]
Join hundreds of experienced and prospective social enterprise practitioners from across Canada to:
Learn about the difference that social enterprise makes for communities and how to do it;
Share your experience and ideas with other social enterprisers and supporters;
Network with social enterprise practitioners, supporters, funders, and government officials;
Act on your questions, ideas or new knowledge – and make a difference in a community you care about
The Conference is made up of intensive day-long and half-day training sessions. These training sessions will cover the following themes: introduction to social enterprise, demonstrating value, governance for social enterprise, business planning skills, marketing, financial analysis, social enterprise franchising, supporting and building social enterprise in Canada.
The Social Enterprise Angels Competition will also be hosted at the Conference. If you have a social enterprise or are planning one in Atlantic Canada, apply and compete for a chance to win a cash prize to be used toward the start-up, growth or strengthening of your enterprise.
Wednesday, September 28th Location: Wellington School, Multi-Purpose Room, 690 Beverley Street Coordinator: Daniel Macintyre/St. Matthews Community Association Jen Nagy –
Know of other election actions, activities, and resources? Send them to
Governments are looking for ways to support families and children, to reinforce learning and innovation, and to encourage community involvement in an era of fiscal restraint. With population aging increasing pressures on the labour market, growing health care costs straining budgets and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions prompting economic shifts, the need for cost effective delivery of essential goods and services to Canadians is reinforced.
Local communities are best placed to overcome their unique challenges, but government can help create the conditions for these communities – and the economies that sustain them – to succeed.
Community enterprises that take an asset-based development approach, supporting self-reliance and building individual and community resilience offer cost effective alternatives that can contribute to a sustained economic recovery in Canada, creating sustainable jobs and meeting today’s public policy challenges.
The federal government should support the development of community enterprises with a national youth work experience program, changes to procurement practices, and the creation of the Canada Impact Investment Fund.
Download the full Pre-Budget Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
CCEDNet has just released its newest publication, Building a Federal Policy Framework and Program in Support of Community Economic Development. The report was written by Kirsten Bernas and Brendan Reimer of the CCEDNet-Manitoba office as part of the Linking, Learning, Leveraging paper series.
The report addresses the ongoing challenge for CED organizations in Canada to maximize their long-term community benefit when multi-year funding for core organizational costs remains out of reach. To remedy this problem, the report reccomends that the Canadian government develop and implement a federal CED Policy Framework and Neighbourhood Revitalization Program (NRP) modelled after the Government of Manitoba’s CED Policy Framework and Neighbourhoods Alive! program.
A CED Policy Framework would equip government officials with a policy tool to ensure more effective responses to the complex economic, social, and environmental needs of local communities, particularly those that are vulnerable.
A federal NRP would commit multi-year core and project-based funding to organizations that employ the CED model in designated urban communities across Canada.
The report provides an overview and analysis of the Province of Manitoba’s CED Policy Framework and Neighbourhoods Alive! program. The report concludes by recommending, based on the Manitoba experience, how a CED Policy Framework and accompanying Neighbourhood Revitalization Program might be developed and implemented at the federal government level.
Thousands of co-op and credit union members across Canada will be holding events on Thursday, January 12 to officially launch the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives. A national launch event will take place at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre from 11:30 to 1:30 EST, together with 13 regional launch events. The Ottawa event will feature a live webcast starting at 12:30 EST. The webcast can be viewed here.
Spark, a service of CCEDNet, was recently profiled in two widely-circulated news sources in Winnipeg. 
Registration is now open for the fourth Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise which will be held in Halifax, November 20-22. The program includes intensive day-long and half-day training sessions on topics such as introduction to social enterprise, demonstrating value, governance for social enterprise, business planning skills, marketing, financial analysis, social enterprise franchising, supporting and building social enterprise in Canada.
Thank you to our members, funders, and 
The Social Enterprise Angels Competition will also be hosted at the Conference. If you have a social enterprise or are planning one in Atlantic Canada, apply and compete for a chance to win a cash prize to be used toward the start-up, growth or strengthening of your enterprise.
