CreateAction - Call for Proposals for Host Organizations 

The Government of Alberta has officially launched a new social policy framework, which provides a roadmap for long-term systemic changes and policy shifts. The framework was designed by and for Albertans. It reflects a clear vision for the province's future, identifies outcomes and strategies to achieve them, and will guide how the government and community stakeholders will work together to achieve identified goals. Over 31,000 people participated in conversations in communities and online to help create the Framework.  Implementing Alberta’s Social Policy Framework will involve governments, community partners, and the private sector. 

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Development of a Co-op Enterprise Hub Underway 

Co-operators in Alberta are exploring the possibility of creating a one-stop shopp for entrepreneurs interested in starting co-operatives. The concept, which is being dubbed the Alberta Co-op Enterprise Hub, is based on the UK's Co-op Enterprise Hub, which has helped more than 700 co-operatives develop and grow. The development of this idea is being led by the Alberta Community Co-op Association, which hosted three sessions in the last month to further explore the Alberta model and discuss opportunities with a broad range of stakeholders, including co-ops, credit unions, social enterprises, CED organizations, and government representatives. 

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Unleash Your Local Capital

Do you want to be a part of making your rural community thrive, and receive $30,000 to support the process? If so, now is the time to act. The “Unleashing Local Capital” program empowers communities to invest locally, direct their own economic development, and reduce dependency on government supports. It educates rural Albertans on investing locally, and facilitates the establishment of their own Opportunity Development Cooperative (ODC). ACCA is hosting a series of informational and interactive webinars to spread the word about the program and how organizations can apply.

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Affordable Housing Strategy Proposed for Calgary 

Calgary's Affordable Housing Working Group has submitted their initial proposal of strategic directions to address housing in the city. The working group’s recommendations center on the concept of establishing an Affordable Housing Charter. They also recommend the creation of a Local Affordable Housing Coordinating Body, which would have the capacity to implement measures that ensure appropriate affordable housing stock is being delivered in sustainable, economically viable ways that meet constantly changing and unique local needs. Once finalized, these affordable housing recommendations will be incorporated into a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Plan for Calgary.

A Second Opinion: 2013 Alternative Budget 

Austerity measures are not the way to kickstart an already stagnant economy, warns the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. With the release of its annual Alternative Federal Budget (AFB), the CCPA shows how austerity can be replaced by a plan that strengthens the economy, leads to a better quality of life for all Canadians, and eliminates the deficit by 2016. The Alternative Federal Budget shows what the federal government could do if it decided to seriously tackle Canadians’ largest social, economic, and environmental concerns. According to the CCPA, the AFB Plan would generate 200,000-300,000 full time jobs. CCEDNet co-authored the chapter on Cities and Communities and contributed to several other portions of the final document.

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Social Impact Bonds, Explained CED 

In a recent article for the CCPA, John Loxley - a professor of economics at the University Manitoba - holds a microscope to the growing phenomenon of social impact bonds (SiBs). In a SiB arrangement, the private or social sector finances and delivers services under contract to the public sector, against a bond issued by the public sector, promising to accomplish specified delivery criteria. If the criteria are met, then the private or social sector agencies cash in the bond to receive reimbursement of their costs plus a rate of return based on performance. In the article, Professor Loxley explains the what, why, and how of SiBs by providing case study examples from the UK. He also defines the potential and challenges of this form of social finance. 

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CED Book Club: Developments in Asia's Solidarity Economy 

This publication entitled Developments in Solidarity Economy in Asia contains 19 chapters and is divided into four parts.  It captures an overview of SE developments across Asia and the proposed strategies to scale the movement up to the next level with a wider reach. The first two chapters provide reflections of the 2011 Asian Solidarity Economy Forum, and summarizes the ideas shared during the conference on how to meet the challenges currently faced by the social solidarity economy. The third chapter documents the developments in Asia's solidarity economy since 2011. The book sheds light on the basic concepts and theory of the solidarity economy. The final chapters provide in-depth views into the experiences and community impacts generated by the solidarity economy across Asia.

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CED Tool: Community Capital Scan 

The CCS, Community Capital Scan, is an internet based instrument offers the opportunity to gain insight into how projects or programmes might contribute to the sustainable development of a community. This insight generated through a questionnaire that is completed by all relevant stakeholders. The questions relate to the six capitals of sustainable community development: natural capital, physical capital, economic capital, social capital, human capital and cultural capital. To facilitate interpretation, the outcomes are presented graphically. In addition, the scan offers an opportunity to make a wide range of suggestions for improvements to the project.

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Community Development Award Season

It's that time of year again to nominate an outstanding co-operative and/or social enterprise in your community. The annual Canadian Co-operative Awards recognizes excellence and achievement in the Canadian co-op sector in four award categories: The Canadian Co-operative Achievement Award; the Global Educator Award; the CCA Co-operative Governance Awards; and the Canadian Co-operative Hall of Fame Pioneer Inductees. The deadline for nominations for all the awards is March 31, 2013.