The Local Economic Development Lab (LEDlab), initiated and closely supported by Ecotrust Canada and RADIUS SFU, incubates community-driven social enterprise for a more vibrant and inclusive local economy in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. We do this by partnering with local organizations and leaders, resourcing them with talented graduate students, and working collectively with experts in a 'lab' format to develop shared skills and knowledge, collaborate, and test new ideas to change the local economic system over time.
In the dark of winter, come join Community Futures Sunshine Coast and SFU Community Econmic Development for a celebration of the latest LEAP! cohort of social entrepreneurs.
Tickets are $20, and all proceeds will directly benefit the entrepreneurs launching a business that night.
The LEAP! Winter Barnraiser will be like a really friendly dragon's den, where participants can practice pitching their ideas to the community. It promises to be a fun-filled and social evening. We hope to see you there.
LEAP! (Local Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program) is an eight week accelerator program for social entrepreneurs in rural B.C. Using a lean start-up model, LEAP! prepares small groups of entrepreneurs to launch and expand local businesses in their communities.
The LEAP! program is offered in partnership with community-based organizations. We are pleased to partner again with Community Futures Sunshine Coast who have recruited seven committed local entrepreneurs who are excited about pitching their new business ideas to the community.
Find out more about LEAP! and meet the LEAP! entrepreneurs at sfuleap.ca.
Position: LEDlab Project Coordinator Commitment: 24 weeks, 20 hours/week Start date: January 9, 2017 End date: June 23, 2017
*Please note, you MUST be currently enrolled as a graduate student to apply for this position.
Unemployment on First Nations and in inner city neighbourhoods? Climate change? Exponential diabetes rates? Unaffordable government? High incarceration rates? There are no shortage of chronic and insatiable societal problems.
Shaun Loney's An Army of Problem Solvers offers good news at a time when we need it most. Loney draws on his experience as one of Canada's leading social enterprise developers and his time as a senior civil servant to offer up a new and practical vision.
The problem isn't the problems, he says. The problem is that governments prevent problem solvers from doing their job.
Just who are the problem solvers? Loney makes the case that social enterprises, social entrepreneurs and the small farm movement comprise the "solutions economy". Governments will soon understand that it is their job to "make it easy for problem solvers."
The book comes at a time when Canada is discussing what reconciliation between Indigenous Canadians and the rest of the country means. Loney argues that we can’t achieve it without allowing the re-emergence of local economies. An Army of Problems Solvers answers the question: "what does nation-to-nation mean?"
Watch the webinar to learn more about Shaun Loney's new book An Army of Problem Solvers and learn how you can join ranks!
PRESENTER
Shaun Loney,author and social enterprise developer
Shaun is a longtime member of the Canadian CED Network, an Ashoka Fellow (first in Canadian Prairies) and an Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year (2014). He has co-founded and mentored 11 social enterprises including BUILD Inc (2011 Scotia Bank EcoLiving Green Business of the year and 2013 Manitoba Apprenticeship Employer of the Year). Shaun was Director of Energy Policy for the Government of Manitoba (2002-2008 and political advisor to Gary Doer's NDP (1997-2002). Shaun lives in Winnipeg, with his partner Fiona. Between them they have three teenage boys. Shaun is proud to be part of a strong and visionary social enterprise team that is flourishing across the country. An Army of Problem Solvers is Shaun’s second book, following BUILD Prosperity: Energizing Manitoba’s Local Economy.
HOST
Darcy Penner, Social Enterprise Policy Manager with the Canadian CED Network
Darcy has been working in community economic development since graduating from the University of Winnipeg with a BA (Honours) degree in Politics. Starting at CCEDNet in 2013, his role has seen him work with member-organizations to pursue a broad policy agenda through workshops, presentations, budget submissions, policy papers and community-organizing, while specializing in supportive social enterprise policy and research – including being the Project Manager for the Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy being co-produced with the Province of Manitoba, and coordinating the Manitoba Social Enterprise Sector Survey.
When people are engaged in communities, they take ownership of the issues facing them. Community engagement is about people working collaboratively, through inspired action and learning, drawing strength from each other and from the diversity of their perspectives to create and realize bold visions for their common future.
Be the first to know more about Community Engagement: The Next Generation
About Tamarack
The Tamarack Institute is a connected force for community change. Tamarack works with leaders in non-profits, governments, businesses and the community to make work of advancing positive community change easier and more effective. They do this by teaching and writing about collective impact, community engagement, collaborative leadership, community development, and evaluating community impact. Tamarack turns theory into action by connecting people into networks to share and learn together and by working one-on-one with organizations to help advance their specific agendas.
Tamarack works deeply in two Practice Areas to advance community change:
Vibrant Communities: Cities Reducing Poverty is a network of 47 cities who are creating comprehensive poverty reduction strategies to impact the lives of 1 million Canadians living in poverty.
Deepening Community explores programs, policies and practices that strengthen communities, neighbourhoods and enhance social capital.
Tamarack believes that when we are effective in strengthening community capacity to engage citizens, lead collaboratively, deepen community and innovate in place, our work contributes to the building of peace and a more equitable society. Their deepest hope is to end poverty in Canada.
Shaun Loney, author and social enterprise developer
Darcy Penner, Social Enterprise Policy Manager with the Canadian CED Network
When people are engaged in communities, they take ownership of the issues facing them. Community engagement is about people working collaboratively, through inspired action and learning, drawing strength from each other and from the diversity of their perspectives to create and realize bold visions for their common future.