GUELPH, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Nov. 23, 2005) - The
Government of Canada is helping to develop more of the community
skills needed for successful rural and social development. The
Foundation for Rural Living will receive $900,000 through the Models
for Rural Development and Community Capacity Building Program to
establish the Rural Philanthropy Resource Network. The Network will
help to improve the quality of life in rural communities by creating
stronger and better equipped non-profit and voluntary sectors across
Canada.
Brenda Chamberlain, M.P. for Guelph, made the
announcement on behalf of the Honourable Wayne Easter, Parliamentary
Secretary with Special Emphasis on Rural Development. "Rural Canada
has a great volunteer spirit, sometimes it's just a matter of
providing some tools. This initiative will benefit a number of
Ontario communities through increased skills development," said Mrs.
Chamberlain.
"Rural non-profit organizations face struggles
similar to their urban counterparts, with the added challenges of a
smaller population base, fewer resources, and vast geographical
distances," added Mr. Easter. "This funding will help get rural
groups, that are the backbone of communities, the specialized tools
and support they need."
The Rural Philanthropy Resources
Network will develop a virtually accessible Resource/ Learning
Centre and also provide assistance to community groups through the
placement of rural development officers with local agencies, like
the United Way, so that skills and strategies can be passed
along.
The Foundation for Rural Living, an organization that
is dedicated to improving investments for the revitalization of
rural communities, will have the role of managing this Network.
Partners include Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Canada,
Imagine Canada, and Human Resources and Skills Development
Canada.
"The Rural Philanthropy Resource Network is about
fostering and supporting the economic and social well-being of rural
communities," stated Mr. Easter. "By investing in stronger rural
non-profit organizations, we are helping to build stronger rural
communities."
The Network was formally launched in November
2003 and has achieved successful results in both the Nipissing/North
Bay region in northern Ontario and the Elgin/Oxford region in
southwestern Ontario. This funding will allow for the outreach of
the Network's expertise to almost 30 community groups over the next
three years.
The information gained through the Models for
Rural Development and Community Capacity Building Program will
contribute to the understanding of what approaches (models) to
community development and capacity building work in rural, remote
and northern communities. The information we collect will be useful
for all levels of government in developing programs, services and
policies for rural Canadians. The information will also directly
benefit communities.
Further information on the Rural
Philanthropy Resource Network is available at the Foundation for
Rural Living's website at www.frl.on.ca/frl/.
Backgrounder
Models for Rural Development
and Community Capacity Building
Across the country,
communities, organizations and governments are carrying out
different approaches to building sustainable rural communities.
Which of them work best? Under what circumstances? Can they work in
other rural communities?
These are the types of questions the
Government of Canada wants to find the answers to through its
research initiative called Models for Rural Development and
Community Capacity Building (Models Program).
We are taking
rural community development initiatives that worked well in one
community or part of the country, and trying them in two or three
other areas. We want to see if these initiatives will work in other
communities and in what types of communities they will work (e.g.,
Do they work best in very isolated areas, areas that are closer to
cities, or towns somewhere in between?) We also want to see what can
be done to improve their chances of success, and what should be
avoided.
The communities participating in our research will
play a key role in designing, carrying out and evaluating the
initiatives.
What we'll be doing with the information we
gain
Federal, provincial and territorial governments develop
many programs, services and initiatives for rural, remote and
northern areas. The information we gain through our research
activities will help government design rural initiatives so they
have the greatest benefit to communities.
The information
will also be useful for any individuals, organizations or
communities interested in carrying out rural community development
work. They can take advantage of ideas and lessons learned in other
communities.
Getting more information on the Models
Program
As more project models are set up in rural
communities and we begin to see the results of these projects, we
will be posting information on our Web site. For more
information:
- Visit the Canadian Rural Partnership Web site
( http://www.rural.gc/), click on Research in the
left menu, then click on Models for Rural Development and Community
Capacity Building in the Index.
- Call 1-877-295-7160
(toll-free). |
