Project Overview

Last Updated on June 3rd, 2009

The social economy describes a variety of socio-economic initiatives addressing contemporary opportunities and needs, often in new ways. Social-economy enterprises such as community-based organizations, co-operatives, community economic development organizations, not-for-profits, and other voluntary-sector initiatives, direct organizational and community resources to the simultaneous pursuit of social and economic ends. These enterprises are flexible and sustainable tools that allow communities to address objectives related to sustainable livelihoods, place-based redevelopment, capacities, and social supports. The integration of social and economic objectives promotes responses that sustain individuals and communities; significant opportunities for wealth generation can be developed while furthering goals of participation and control.

Drawing on the skills of 24 academic partners representing 10 disciplines and 12 Canadian and American universities, and working in collaboration with over 40 community partners from across Canada, the USA, and beyond, the research of the Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan Node builds on the foundational work and capacities of the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR), the Winnipeg Inner-City Research Alliance (WIRA), the Community Economic and Social Development Unit (CESD), and the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (CSC). We will learn together from the history and practices of social-economy enterprises in our region. As we study successes and challenges, we will pursue deeper understanding of critical links and partnerships, and evaluate options for generative and supportive public policies.

For more detailed project information please refer to the Project Proposal (pdf).

	Dr. Lou Hammond Ketilson Lead Investigator, Linking, Learning, Leveraging, and Director, Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
	Bill Holden Community Co-director, Community-University Institute for Social Research

This research is part of the Social Economy Suite made possible with funding by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

SSHRC is Canada’s federal funding agency for university-based research and student training in the social sciences and humanities. For more information visit the SSHRC website.

See our Research and Governance pages for more details about our research and how the team of academic and community partners is structured.

View various Reports about the project.

See our Frequently Asked Questions page for some quick answers.

Member of the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships