rural revitalization | BC Rural Centre

Building Local Food Systems: A Path to Food Sovereignty

In today’s fast-paced, globalized world, the importance of building resilient and sustainable local food systems cannot be overstated. This is particularly crucial in rural, remote, and First Nation communities, where geographical isolation and limited access to mainstream markets often pose significant challenges to food access. However, by embracing the concept of food sovereignty and taking…

New and Improved Public Spaces and Tourism Experiences

The Government of Canada is making investments across British Columbia to refresh community spaces, attract new visitors, and stimulate local economies Safe and inclusive public spaces and dynamic tourism attractions are key to vibrant communities. They bring together people of all ages and abilities, in turn supporting businesses and boosting economic vitality. Throughout the East…

A Post-Pandemic Policy Agenda for Rural and Smaller Canadian Communities

Many of us know someone who, at the height of the pandemic, picked up and moved from an urban centre to a smaller, more rural Canadian community. Though small and rural communities face unique challenges across this country, we know one thing: inclusive and sustainable growth principles are becoming foundational to economic decision-making across the…

EVENT: Power to the People – Bankstown, NSW

In 2022, The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will partner with Community Minds to bring it to Bankstown! to deliver our annual National Community Development Conference. The theme for the Power to the People 2022 Conference is “Diversity and Inclusion – Cultivating and Celebrating Our Diverse Communities”. The Power to the People Conference Program, 2022 aims to create the space for participants to explore how communities can…

A Roadmap to Growth for Local Meat in BC

The Small-Scale Meat Producers Association has released its 2021 Small-Scale Meat Sector Survey. What was heard from this survey is that many small-scale producers are desperate to scale up their production to meet the increasing demand for higher welfare and locally raised meat and to realize economies of scale but are faced with an array…

Importance of Co-op’s in Agriculture

Governance, investment for growth and development, accessing institutional markets, and land management were among the topics covered at the inaugural BC Agriculture and Food Co-op Conference in Kamloops, March 24-25. Hosted by the BC Co-operative Association, the event attracted about 120 growers, processors, retailers, academics, government representatives, policymakers and others came together to raise awareness…

Supporting Small Independent Businesses in BC

Support Local BC was an initiative brought on out of necessity in 2020 due to the closures of many businesses in response to the Provincial Health Orders to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19. The website provides a place for communities and businesses throughout the province to support each other. Connecting all regions with its…

Akbal Mund & Sheldon Louis: First Nation-Rural Community Partnerships

Akbal Mund of the City of Vernon, and Sheldon Louis of the Okanagan Indian Band provided some interesting historical and current background and information regarding the relationship between these two neighbours.

Okanagan Correctional Centre: Creating Jobs

One Maine Town Tees Up New Economic Development

Biddeford, Maine, saw a dramatic economic turnaround after the Orton Foundation’s Community Heart & Soul program helped shape the town’s Master Plan. Biddeford’s Economic Development Director, Daniel Stevenson, talks about how having a solid road map opened the door for $78 million in new projects downtown, including a hotel, new businesses, apartments, and shops. …