Knowledge Base for OLES-3CI Project
Community Development and Capacity Building
“How to” On-line resources for Community Development
Rural and Remote Community Development
Support for Community Economic Development
Community Development and Capacity Building
The Quebec Learners’ Network works with many organizations involved in community development initiatives by offering its expertise in lifelong learning as well as its resources, including information and communication technologies. Lifelong learning is a key component in the sustainable development of communities, and interactive information and communication technologies—often referred to as “learning technologies”—are increasingly becoming the necessary media by which lifelong learning activities can take place, especially in rural and remote communities. Below, we’ve put together a list of resources that will help you to learn more about community development and how lifelong learning through learning technologies can be an important, and sometimes essential, factor in sustaining both geographic communities and communities of interest.
What is Community Development?
Community development is, as the name implies, about the development of communities. But of what communities, and about what sort of development, are we speaking? Many people think of communities as geographic entities, like neighborhoods or towns. However, there are also communities of interest. We have all heard of the arts community or the Aboriginal community—even the international community. Whether defined by geography or interests, communities have members with something in common. And when members of communities come together with the goal of accomplishing something that benefits themselves as a community, or others, this is community development.
Community development is often linked to another term, community capacity building (CCB). They are not the same thing, but the latter often occurs as a result of the former. When a community develops, it often (but not always) means that there is some building of capacity within that community. Here is a definition of CCB from Human Resources Development Canada:
Community Capacity Building
“CCB has managed to arrive in our collective consciousness lacking a concise definition…Based upon what we have learned from the theory of ’academics’ and the experience of practitioners, CCB conceives the notion of a group of citizens working together for their own mutual betterment. It is generally very holistic in nature and encompasses all aspects of the community: economic, social, ecological, political and cultural. Together the group/community seeks out approaches and solutions to economic or social opportunities and challenges. CCB is about building healthy communities. It is a strategic community-driven process, aimed at maintenance, growth, and revitalization—focusing on assets in ways which enhance both economic and social foundations. CCB is the engagement of a social process which entails elements of the entire social agenda. It is philosophy grounded in the belief that people and communities can manage their own affairs…”
“How to” On-line Resources for Community Development
The Community Development Handbook has been created by the Labour Market Learning and Development Unit at Human Resources Development Canada to support the understanding and effective application of community development. Starting with very clear definitions of terms, it is a very helpful source for anyone interested, or becoming involved, in community development.
The Citizen’s Handbook – A Guide to Building Community in Vancouver contains a series of articles on community organizing and community.
Local Connections:
Making the Net Work for Neighborhood Renewal
A comprehensive and thoughtful report by Communities On-line (UK), that
examines the ways in which information and communication technologies
(ICTs), especially the Internet, can be a catalyst for neighborhood renewal
and regeneration. Download the PDF file.
Rural and Remote Community Development
Concordia New Rural Economy Site
Canadian Rural Information
Service
A joint initiative of the Rural Secretariat and the Canadian Agriculture
Library providing a clearinghouse for information relevant to rural Canada,
including
The Community Economic Development Directory and the Canadian Rural Partnership Pocket Directory of Rural Programs and Services, a directory of Government of Canada programs and services put together especially for Canadians in rural and remote communities.
The
Community Builders Initiative is for people living in rural communities
who want to become more skilled in community economic development.
Support for Community Economic Development
For geographic communities to develop and sustain themselves, economic opportunities must exist for their members. The following links will take you to some of the many local, regional and national organizations that are in place to help communities in their economic development projects. The QLN has supported the first two local organizations with consultation and technical support.
Canada Economic Development
for the Quebec Regions
The Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, as
its name implies, is mandated to promote the economic development of the
regions of Quebec. Its objectives are to promote economic development
in areas of Quebec where low incomes and slow economic growth are prevalent
or where opportunities for productive employment are inadequate; to emphasize
long-term economic development and the creation of sustainable employment
and income; to focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and
the development and enhancement of entrepreneurship.
The Agency’s clients are made up of small and medium enterprises in every region of Quebec and a variety of local and regional development players—mainly business associations and economic development organizations. To serve this clientele, the Agency works with various intermediary groups which make up its business network.
Canada Economic Development’s head office is located in Montréal. It has a network of 14 regional business offices across Quebec, and a government liaison office situated in Hull.
Community Economic Development Technical Assistance Program (CEDTAP) Coordinates and funds small and medium-sized technical assistance assignments to help local organizations build community as a means to sustainable social and economic development.
Canadian
CED Network
Promotes excellence and investment in CED to enhance community capacity
for revitalisation and self-reliance.