Community Capacity Building Strategy

Here are some comments made on a survey done to determine training needs recently compiled from across the northern regions’ community members who have been part of our project, and possibly, other pillar projects.

“Keep up the great work. The BCHLA is actually making a difference in BC. I can see the results already. I love the multifaceted approach and the emails about grants that are available etc. The cumulative of all these small grants ends up making a measurable/tangible difference in the community. Please keep the Alliance going and thriving and keep the focus on the bottom line – the people in the communities.”

“Thank you for coming up to our communities and taking time to hear our concerns and what we would like to do to help ourselves.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to learn skills that will benefit my community!!”

Capacity building engages people to make their community a healthier and more vibrant place. In part, it is about helping local champions gain skills so they have a complete toolbox for improving the community they call home.

This creates a strong foundation for a healthier community to grow by:

Developing the potential for people to improve and respond to the needs of their own community;
Relying on key members of the community; and
Offering communities tools, training and skill development that reflect regional needs and priorities - engaging stakeholders, supporting leadership development and providing resources to address local issues.

Read the entire BCHLA Community Capacity Building Stategy
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Community Capacity Building Activities - What is happening in your area?

The Community Capacity Building Strategy (CCBS) is currently working in over 35 individual communites across the province as well as through a centrally coordinated provincial effort.

Regionally the CCBS will work with communities to:

Foster collaboration and commitment to build community capacity
Enhance skills and resources in communities to help build healthier communities
Facilitate networking across communities or regions
Seek opportunities to integrate efforts including linking BC Healthy Living Alliance initiatives with existing initiatives where appropriate
Provide grant funding or leverage additional resources for communities to undertake capacity building projects

Want to know what is happening in your area visit the links below:

Resources

Strategies for Effective Proposal Writing - click here
The Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition presents the second edition of the resource manual: Strategies for Effective Proposal Writing. Whether you are nervously anticipating writing your first grant proposal or are a seasoned grant writer, it is their hope that this manual will assist you in developing a coherent and fundable proposal.

Funding Sources For British Columbia Communities - click here
This resource is the result of a partnership between the BC Rural Team, BC Rural Network, BC Healthy Communities and CFDC of Greater Trail. This resource provides information on sources of funding and support for community development in BC. Most of the programs listed are funding-oriented, however, programs that provide other forms of support and assistance are also included. The primary focus is support for social, economic, and environmental community development initiatives in rural areas, however, the programs are not necessarily exclusive to rural. Contact information for each program is provided to facilitate direct access to current and updated program information.

By building on strengths, fostering relationships and targeting those in need, BCHLA is weaving healthy living into the very fiber of BC and shaping a future of health for everyone.

Getting it Together: Collaboration Models for Community Groups
$12.00 Cdn
Collaboration, both within sectors and accross sectors, is the way in which work is now being done in the health and social secorts. forming these alliances is hard work and this resource provides a road map for the task. Written by community organizations for community organizations, Getting It Together is a practical guide for nonprofits, funders, consultants, instructors, students and others on how community groups can: - work together to enhance their services - share resources and cost efficiencies - use collaborative technology. Contains several case study examples. 116 pages

To order visit: http://www.bccf.bc.ca/catalogue/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=32&osCsid=e42845495677b3a43888f9f90182553d

Looking for a Consultant (Suppliers)?
Work in Nonprofits' website www.workinnonprofits.ca/index.py?sel=h Click on Find Suppliers to get to the Suppliers directory. the directory lists a variety of areas of expertise for suppliers. There is no charge for consultants to register their services on this site. The site also has a free job posting function.

BCHLA and the Community Capacity Building Strategy does not endorse or recommend specific suppliers. If you have not worked with a consultant or supplier, it is important to practice due diligence in contracting services. There are resources on the Centre for Sustainability's site to work with consultants: www.centreforsustainability.ca/resources/index.html#WorkingWithConsultants

More Sprout from SPARC BC: Tools for Action: An Assessment of the Impacts of BC Indicator Projects - This research report serves as a tool for cultivating an understanding of some of the benefits and limitations of indicator projects in BC. In this research report, we address the following questions - To what degree do indicator projects have impacts on the community capital of a sample of BC towens, regions and cities?

Go to the SPARC site for more www.sparc.bc.ca/resources-and-publications/category/27/sprout-resources-for-social-change

Source: Scott Graham, Researcher & Director of Community Development Education program
SPARC BC (Social Planning and Research Council of BC)