Introduction to Community Economic Development

1. Introduction to Community Economic Development CED 101

2. Agenda • Why CED • Definitions • Features of CED • Values inherent in CED • The How of CED • The Results and Challenges of CED • Summary and Conclusion

3. Why the Interest in CED? PUSH FACTORS • Rise in social, economic & environmental problems. • Downloading of responsibilities by higher levels of government. PULL FACTORS • People’s need to be involved in improving their community. • Untapped local skills, resources, knowledge . • Local “stick-to-it-ness” • Power of community collaboration.

4. Communities across Canada are using CED to: • Stop the leaks in the local economy • Out migration of people and resources • Increase the Inflow – build on assets • What can we leverage • Secure the plugs • Take control of local resources • Strengthen the bucket • Invest in infrastructure or people.

5. CED is more than… • A technique • e.g. a way of organizing a meeting • A single program of an organization • e.g. a community business or a skills training project • A person • e.g. someone starting an enterprise • An organization

6. CED - a definition Community Economic Development (CED) is action by people locally to create economic opportunities and better social conditions, particularly for those who are most disadvantaged. CED is an approach that recognizes that economic, environmental and social challenges are interdependent, complex and ever-changing. To be effective, solutions must be rooted in local knowledge and led by community members. CED promotes holistic approaches, addressing individual, community and regional levels, recognizing that these levels are interconnected.

7. Other CED Definitions CED is a community based and community directed process that explicitly combines social and economic development and is directed towards fostering the economic, social, ecological and cultural well being of communities. CED has emerged as an alternative to conventional approaches to economic development. It is founded on the belief that problems facing communities – unemployment, poverty, job loss, environmental degradation and loss of community control – need to be addressed in a holistic and participatory way. BC Working Group on CED

8. Other Definitions Community Development (CD) CD is action by people locally to sustain and strengthen their community of place or interest through citizen engagement where community members meaningfully influence decisions that affect their lives. CD is about community members identifying the challenges and opportunities they face, understanding the various dynamics that impact them, and collectively deciding on a course of action that will build capacity in the community members in the process. CD enables people to work together to influence change and exert control over the social, political, and economic issues that affect their lives. It challenges inequitable power relationships within society and promote redistribution of wealth and resources in a more just and equitable fashion through an alternative way of working together that is focused on social inclusion through dynamic, innovative, and creative approaches.

9. Other Definitions Economic Development Economic development refers to the deliberate effort to improve the economy of a specified geographic area, which can be as large as an entire nation-state or as limited as a city neighbourhood. Benefits, beneficiaries, and ownership can differ from case to case. The intended economic improvements themselves will also vary from case to case. Indeed, one of the problems in the process is how to define the measures that would indicate whether or to what degree any improvement has taken place.

10. Other Definitions Local Economic Development The reference of this term is very close to community economic development in that it targets a specific fairly limited locality for more than a single project approach. Where it differs most is in the usual governance structure. That is, as a program, "LED" is generally carried on by a local government (or quasi-governmental entity) or by a business consortium such as the local Chamber of Commerce. The lack of participation in governance by a broad range of community residents tends to mean that both ownership and the program's activities may be relatively limited, thus reducing the spread of benefits and beneficiaries. Moreover, without broad citizen participation, LED tends to be a less comprehensive strategy, involving fewer different functions.

11. Basic Features of CED • Devolves decision-making to those most affected by those decisions. • Weaves together economic, social and environmental goals. • Focuses on more than one issue. • Uses more than one technique • Is long-term in nature.

12. In Plain English • If nobody is going to help us then we gotta help ourselves. • If we are going to help ourselves then we have to start with what we got. • If we are going to work together then we have to weave together each others motivations and interests. • Once we have a plan – then – we gotta do it.

13. Values found in CED • Positive social transformation and change. • Social and economic justice; • Poverty reduction • Participants as partners not clients. • Individual/collective empowerment and self-help. • Equal opportunity and equal access to resources. • Sensitive and understanding of particular needs. • Having a different understanding of risk. • Positive, Practical, Progressive, Pragmatic, Persistent.

14. The HOW – Strategies of CED • There is no ‘one’ strategy for building community capacity – the possibilities are endless. • The following ‘basic functions’ appear in a large number of CED initiatives • Research, planning and networking • Community ownership and equity • Human resource development • Access to Capital (equity, debt, grant)

15. Types of CED Organizations • A single purpose organization • The Community Development Corporation (CDC) • The Integrated Service Delivery Organization • The Convenor organizations • Associations and Networks • The Infrastructure Organization

16. The Single Purpose Group • Organizations that focus on one issue e.g. housing • And/or use one or two functions e.g. training • And do so consciously making the links to build a local integrated solution.

17. The Community Development Corporation (CDC) • Organizations that bring together many functions under one-roof • E.g. Networking, research & planning, advocacy, loan fund

18. The Integrated Service Delivery Organization • Organizations that offer myriad services that are strategically linked to each other and to local needs • These organizations usually focus on labour force development.

19. The Convener Group Organizations that bring together and help coordinate the work of many CED and local organizations to revitalize the community

20. Infrastructure Organizations • Organizations that support the efforts of CED groups through the following methods: • Technical Assistance • Funding • Research • Policy • Networking

21. Results and Challenges • There is a growing body of evidence that the CED approach is effective in: • Ensuring solutions fit local needs and priorities • Improving the lives of marginalized residents • Strengthening the capacity of local institutions • Expanding the local economy • Generating return to the taxpayer

22. External Challenges to CED Results • Amount/Type of funding that is available • Government silos • Lack of supportive policy framework • Nationally defined programs • Short-term expectation

23. Internal Challenges to CED Results • Maintaining a meaningful voice for marginalized residents • Thinking & acting comprehensively • Working collaboratively • Building sufficient skills, networks and financial resources in the organization • Balancing social, economic and environmental priorities

24. Summary WHAT A deliberate, systematic and comprehensive approach to revitalizing communities and improving the lives of marginalized residents primarily through local efforts. HOW There are several types of CED institutions and strategies. RESULTS & CHALLENGES There is a growing body of evidence that CED works. There are both external and internal challenges that prevent greater results.

25. Why aCanadian CED Network? • To bring together all the different types of CED organizations • To support practitioner development and peer learning among it’s members. • To advocate policy to all levels of government and key sectors to strengthen support to community led efforts. • To promote CED as an alternative model.

26. Why aNational Internship Program? • To provide the opportunity to talented youth to enter into the CED field. • To support peer learning between interns and CED organizations. • To provide a broad perspective on CED as a national field of work • To highlight both the similarities and differences between CED organizations based on type and geography • To contribute to the growth of the CED movement in Canada

27. COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ….locally led innovation