Community Capacity Building Strategy

Between 2007 and 2010, the Canadian Cancer Society led BCHLA’s Community Capacity Building Strategy (CCBS) working with over 35 individual communities across the province as well as through a centrally coordinated provincial effort.

Many of the projects supported through this initiative continue today because Community Capacity Building strengthens local assets. 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.

Click here to download the Summary for the Community Capacity Strategy Evaluation. 

The Community Capacity Building Strategy

• focused on communities with the greatest need and/or where there was a significant opportunity to build capacity within existing programs and resources;
• used and built on the knowledge and experience of regional partners;
• placed an emphasis on building, enhancing, and sustaining regional and community networks;
• enhanced the capability of all those engaged (individuals, organizations, and communities) to sustain initiatives that improve community health; and
• dedicated resources to training sessions and sustainability planning.

To find out more about the capacity building projects that took place in communities and the lessons learned, please read: 

• Capacity Building in Action: Summary of Community-Based Projects
• Capacity Building in Action: Learnings from the Community Capacity Building Strategy.

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 fund-able 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
Collaboration, both within sectors and across 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

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.

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 towns, 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)