Canadian CED Network News
New Research: Mobilizing Community Capital for Co-op Development
 The lack of accessible financial tools are one of the largest barriers to co-op development and expansion in Manitoba. Fortunately, there are solutions. New CCEDNet research explores the potential to create a province-wide community development investment fund, expanding on the Province's existing CED Tax Credit, that could raise equity capital for new and existing Manitoba co-ops. The research also makes recommendations for enhancing the existing CED Tax Credit model. Read the full report by clicking the link below.
Youth Employment in the Social Economy
 In this age of growing concern for social and environmental conditions, youth are increasingly looking for purpose driven employment opportunities in the hopes of developing mission-related careers. On Tuesday, CCEDNet hosted a webinar titled, Youth Employment in the Social Economy: How a New Generation Can Generate New Opportunities in CED. A recording of the webinar is now available. The session introduces examples of how youth can take charge of their own careers within the Social Economy, both by creating their own initiatives and by finding ways to integrate themselves into existing programs and projects.
CED Wire Updates A Visit from Japan's Seikatsu Club to Québec: Yvon Poirer offers highlights from this international collaboration among cooperators | Read more- The Final Reflection of my CreateAction Internship: Chris Thomas shares his experience and learnings as CCEDNet's communications intern | Read more
- Meet Charlene Lafreniere: CCEDNet interviews Charlene, a Thompson city councilor, community leader, and 2013 Gathering keynote speaker | Read more
British Columbia CED News
Vancity Ranked Among Canada's Top Employers
 Looking for a new employer? Look no further than, Vancity (a CCEDNet member). The credit union was recently selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2014 by Mediacorp Canada Inc. The annual competition recognizes employers who are leaders in their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Vancity has earned this distinction by: being a Living Wage employer; offering a comprehensive benefits program; and providing professional development support opportunities.
Whitecaps and Co-op Find Common Thread
 A major league sports team and a local co-operative have found an innovative way to collaborate to build opportunities in Vancouver. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC recently partnered with the Common Thread Co-op, and invited them to repurpose the team's old banners. Common Thread is a sewing co-op that provides meaningful employment for women who experience employment barriers. For this project, Common Thread converted unused Whitecap banners into 500 drawstring bags, which the team is reselling to raise proceeds for a mental health charity. Wins all around. [Source: Axiom News]
Measuring the Impact of B.C. Farmers' Markets
 Demonstrating Value and the B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets have teamed up to calculate the economic and community impact of local farmers' markets. This collaboration has resulted in the Farmers' Market Impact Toolkit. Based on stakeholder surveys, the Toolkit demonstrates that farmers' markets have become important community fixtures. They also provide vital sales channels for local food producers. A supplementary report estimates that the economic impact of farmers markets across B.C. is over $170 million, including $113 million in direct sales.
National CED News
A Year to Remember: Relive Canada's IYC 2012
 Feeling nostalgic for last year's International Year of Co-operatives? Relive the fun and excitement with the Canadian Co-operative Association's Final Report on IYC 2012 in Canada. The report includes photos and stories that evoke the creativity and celebration from coast, to coast, to coast. The report highlights the hundreds of events that reached thousands of people, dozens of new programs aimed at educating members and thousands of co-ops rallying around the IYC theme.
Co-operative Education Opportunities
 The Canadian Co-operative Association has compiled a list of Canadian university and colleges that offer post-secondary education opportunities on co-operatives. The list includes programs from coast to coast that cater to both students and co-operative professionals already active in the field. This is an ongoing project so if you know of any programs that should be added to the list, contact Erin Hancock.
Poverty in Canada: The Good News & Bad
 There is both good and bad news to be found in the Poverty Trends Highlights: Canada 2013 report. Poverty Trends Highlights finds that Canada's poverty rate is at a record low, although that depends which measure is used. Despite this dip, the poverty gap continues to widen, and the rates of poverty are still climbing for lone-parent families. The report, released by Citizens for Public Justice, concludes that we can effectively reduce poverty if governments make it a priority, but the evidence shows further action is needed.
CED Tool: Green Economy at the Community Scale
 Green Economy at Community Scale is one of the first research-based explorations of the green economy at the local level. The report is drawn from the authors’ original analysis of the flow of natural and financial assets at the national level. It analyses conceptual foundations, and provides empirical evidence, for more sustainable community-based economic activities. The final section of the report draws together findings and identifies positive steps towards the creation of green local economies.
A Little Bird Told Us: Top Tweets of the Month
 Here is a brief sampling of some of our most popular tweets from the past 30 days. Click hereto follow us on Twitter.
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