Closed April 16
Does your initiative support regional social ecosystem building or intersectoral network building for CED?
CCEDNet is inviting project proposals to implement regional systems building projects, focused on supporting community organizations, social enterprises, and community economic development (CED).
Picture multiple sectors that are interconnected so well that they form a social web of support and collaboration in a region. These are the kinds of networks we are aiming at.
These types of projects are sometimes referred to as “social ecosystem” building, “network weaving,” or “social infrastructure” development. We are less concerned about the terminology you choose, and more interested in what you aim to do.
Amount & Rollout:
Projects can access a $5,000 to $80,000 grant to support their initiative. Proposals are accepted until April 16, midnight PDT. Applications will be reviewed by staff with additional input from members or partners. All funded portions of successful projects must be complete, including final reporting and invoicing by March 15, 2024.
Projects in any Canadian province or territory outside of Manitoba or Alberta are eligible*
Background:
We recognize that community economic development and related fields are organized at local or sectoral levels.
Community Economic Development is all about local action. Practitioners need supportive structures, policies and programs, networks, and information systems that are tuned to their local needs and opportunities.
Provincial and local governments often have jurisdiction over important policies that affect our work.
This is why as a national organization, CCEDNet has often had projects, coalitions, or hubs operating at these regional levels.
What are social ecosystems?
Social ecosystems is the concept that new functioning systems form within local social economies when networks, organizations, and actors connect and align their work. Parts of this ecosystem might include enterprises, capacity builders or developers, funders or finance groups, researchers, or government. In a healthy ecosystem, the individual parts are functioning well and all the parts are connected and coordinated in supportive ways.
With our Regional Initiative Program, we aim to strengthen social ecosystems of support for community economic development and the social economy by amplifying local efforts to build and foster such connections in intentional and inclusive ways.
Projects could include (but are not limited to):
- Environmental scans, asset/stakeholder mapping, opportunity identification, or other sector research and consultation to set regional priorities
- Delivery of collaborative and region-wide projects or programs
- Delivery of regional events, meetings, or networking opportunities
- Convening of local communities of practices or learning hubs
- Development of regional public policy priorities or awareness raising campaigns
- Case studies or story development to showcase sector strength
Note: Any of these could either be supportive of existing initiatives or new initiatives
All Regional Initiatives should:
- Be collaborative, with multiple partners working together or taking part
- Centre the lived experience of the communities involved, particularly the leadership and perspectives of people who are Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, persons with disabilities, and rural or remote.
- Include at least one CCEDNet member or groups interested in becoming CCEDNet members
- Have a sound budget, which can include staff, contractors, event or meeting costs, travel, etc. They should also explore additional funding sources towards financial sustainability beyond the life of this project.
- Be invested in knowledge sharing to support the ongoing strengthening of their relevant social ecosystem as a whole.
- Be willing to participate in a project-end convening of partners to share lessons learned, or participate in another generative way.
- Finish with a report detailing progress and next steps for ecosystem development, the ongoing nature of the relationship with CCEDNet, and sustainability of the project. CCEDNet will provide a clear and brief reporting template, and applicants are welcome to provide either written or oral reporting.
Note: we are happy to work with selected partners to try and find ways to ease reporting burden while aiming for information sharing that is generative and meaningful for all parties. This is particularly the case for applicants applying for funding below 10K.
CCEDNet’s Values:
CCEDNet’s Values are: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Dignity, Self-Determination, Solidarity, Local Control. Our approach is intersectional, intersectoral, and collaborative.
Summarizing our new Theory of Change, we aim to:
- Encourage community generated policy work, programs, and political actions.
- Seek economic justice by centering communities as experts of their own experiences, particularly BIPOC communities and other folks historically excluded.
- Address ecological & climate crises in ways that enhance equity.
- Increase community change agents’ access to useful information, generative relationships and resources.
While A-D are core to CCEDNet’s ongoing work, we know your projects and initiatives may not touch on all of the above. We include this summary to increase transparency in an effort to build relationships that align with our values more broadly.
For more information refer to our official Theory of Change.
Example Projects:
*Currently, there are established projects in Manitoba and Alberta as part of CCEDNet’s regional initiatives portfolio. We are therefore reserving funds to expand support to more regions. Follow the links below to view some of the projects underway:
- CCEDNet-Manitoba
- Alberta SEED (AB Seed): where CCEDNET serves as the administrative partner
Power dynamics and accessibility:
As noted above, our values include inclusion, equity, and diversity. Many of our members work with historically excluded groups or communities facing poverty. We have recently been trying to make changes to increase clarity, transparency, and ease of applying, in hopes of reducing some of the power dynamic that exists in application and selection processes.
If you have any accessibility needs please get in touch with Melissa to make arrangements. CCEDNet accepts accommodations requests during all parts of the application process.
Interested?
Fill out our application form using the apply now button below.
You will be required to upload a completed copy of our downloadable budget and timeline template.
Format: You will have the option to fill out a standard written form OR upload an audio/visual file to the application.
Option 1: The standard written application form will ask:
- Some basic questions about your organization.
- Who is included or served by you, as basic checkbox questions.
- A brief 1 to 3 sentence description of your objective, in 160 words or less.
- A description of your project proposal, in 500 words or less.
- How you expect this project to strengthen the system of support in your region, in 300 words or less.
Option 2: If you choose to apply by uploading an audio or video file, you must still answer all of the same questions listed in the form when you record your audio/visual. Files must be either an MP3 or MP4 format, sized 1 to 5 MB or less.
If you have any questions about the application or require accommodations please contact Melissa Sinfield at . We will try to respond in 4 business days.
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Funding Source: This opportunity is supported by the federal Investment Readiness Program.
