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Linking, Learning, Leveraging: Sustainable Social Economy Organizations in Rural, Southeast Saskatchewan: A Research Report

Last Updated on April 15th, 2010
 

Project Title: Linking, Learning, Leveraging: Sustainable Social Economy Organizations in Rural, Southeast Saskatchewan: A Research Report

Project Number: CL4-02-SK

Term of Project: May 2006 to September 2009

Status: In progress

Academic Researcher:

Student Researchers:

Community Researcher:

Community Partners:

Project Summary:

This research study includes profiles of social economy organizations in the area including their history and goals, activities and practices, resources and governance.  The social economy is conceptualized quite broadly to include enterprises and organizations that have a strong commitment to social as well as economic goals, and are generally characterized by governance structures that promote (democratic) participation by stakeholders. In addition to an inventory of actors and activities, the study traces interactions and relationships (actual and potential) among social economy organizations, and between these organizations and other relevant entities.

Specific Project-Level Research Objective:

Expected Deliverables:

  1. Clear identification of social economy actors
  2. Report
  3. Article
  4. Presentations

Findings:

Rural Area Observations

  • Rural de-population in non-Aboriginal communities corresponding with an increasing Aboriginal population
    Struggling with globalization and global economic forces
  • Limited resources for social enterprise
  • Race, class, and gender divisions persist; segregated communities along Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal lines
  • A growing Aboriginal population and increased organization and capacity lead development
  • A history of cultural diversity and interaction but also of colonialism and segregation

Rural Area Findings

  • Perceptions that government policy has abandoned rural Saskatchewan
  • Labour shortage and depopulation in towns, despite a growing young Aboriginal population
  • Distance and isolation a key obstacle for social economy actors in rural areas
  • Reliance on volunteers and community interaction: the informal economy
  • Social economic enterprises inevitably must confront the history of a colonial past
  • Rural areas are building on their strengths in innovative ways

Project Poster: Poster (pdf)

Final Report:

Projected Expenditures: $7,000 (internship)

In-Kind Contributions:

Publicity:

Dissemination Activities:

Additional Notes:

This project was previously called, “Mapping the Social Economy in Saskatchewan: Rural Area”.