1. Community Development
2. Community Health
3. Education and Training
4. Social and Economic Development Planning
5. Governance and Civil Society
6. Community Economic Development
7. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) |
SECTOR: COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CED)
Our emphasis is on “community” economic development, which places the focus of economic thinking on improving livelihood outcomes for families, and enabling communities and institutions to be the promoters and encouragers of sustainable prosperity for all.
This work has two inter-related components:
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creating opportunities for people (jobs, business opportunities, investment opportunities , etc.); and |
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bringing people to the opportunities that exist, often called “human resource development”.
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At minimum, creating opportunities for people requires:
- the creation of a strong CED institution that is locally defined and operated a shift toward own-source income (i.e., enterprises and ventures that move beyond government funding to create unencumbered wealth for the community) that can be invested in the creation of opportunities for people
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- a people-centered orientation that never loses sight of the idea that economic development is for people (not the other way around) and true success can only be measured in the improved life of the people who are being served
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- establishing strategic partnerships with selected financial and business organizations
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Bringing people to opportunities often requires:
- personal growth and healing
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- a direct campaign to reduce dependency thinking and actual dependency on “programs” and “aid”
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- training, coaching and mentoring
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- access to credit and capital investment
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- measurement of progress so communities can “see” themselves improving with effort
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MICRO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
We have assisted communities to develop comprehensive, integrated economic development plans. We have also given technical support to grassroots organizations and trained community members to identify business opportunities, write business plans and negotiate with banks and large businesses (Rabbit Lake Economic Development Framework).
SAMPLE PROJECTS
Canada
The conduct of an economic review for a small Canadian municipality, leading to the creation of a 5-year plan (2010)
Aboriginal Canada
The development of a 10-year community economic development strategy for the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation (2011)
Design and implementation support to two Canadian First Nations of “social welfare reform” projects aimed at significantly reducing welfare dependency ( 2008, 2012)
Pakistan
The design and implementation of a “quick-win” micro-enterprise project to stimulate entrepreneurship at the community level, involving 90 small projects across 34 communities (2011-present)
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