Or least that is what I thought before going there.

For the last five months, my position has been funding by a group called CED Net, which stands for Community Economic Development Network of Canada. When if first took the position I didn’t know much about Community Economic Development (CED), or the ideas of social enterprises or co-ops. The last five months have taught me a great deal, inspired me and gave me new skills in areas I never really knew existed. Now that my internships is coming to an end, I thought I would share some of the great experiences and knowledge I received while on this internship through this mini blog series, about Community Economic Development.

The CED Net Create Action program helps youth (30 years old and young) with university degrees gain useful skills working in CED sectors across Canada. With Cowichan Green Community, I was one of the lucky ones to be a part of this program. While on this program I learnt many new skills, met various community members and became familiar with CED. Near the beginning of the Create Action program, all interns were flown to Winnipeg to see the great work that is being done in that city. It is also a great opportunity to meet fellow interns and build a network of similar minded people working in CED. One of my favourite examples of a social enterprise is B.U.I.L.D. (Building Urban Industries for Local Development. This is what build does

• Build retrofits government funded housing with energy efficient upgrades (new windows, lights, insulation, etc.)
• They work mostly on the North side of Winnipeg, which has a low level of investment and is one of the most poverty stricken parts of Winnipeg.
• The upgrades save the Government a lot of money, the houses use a lot less energy which is great for the tax payers, but there is still an added benefit.
• Most of the people doing the work of BUILD are ex-gang members who have never been given a chance. Many of the workers had to drop out of high school and never had a drivers licence. While working for BUILD, they gain a basic level of carpentry skills, work towards paying off unpaid fines and get trained on how to drive and earn a drivers licence.
• After year or so, the workers of BUILD get there level 1 carpentry apprenticeship and are ready to move on the next level.
• The real added benefit is giving people an opportunity, they gain valuable experience and often, for the first time, are given a rare opportunity.

Winnipeg has examples like this all over the place, a truly amazing and inspirational CED city. To find out more about Build, visit their website: http://www.warmupwinnipeg.ca/. I was truly amazed at what I saw in Winnipeg, there always seemed to be a familiar pattern. 

• There is a problem in the community (for example, unemployment, no access to affordable and healthy food)
• A group of concerned community members get together, discuss the problem and talk about solutions (we need jobs, and we need a grocery store here).
• The group then takes action, improving the conditions of their neighbourhood and themselves (start a co-op, make healthy food more accessible in the community)

This is what Neechi Foods does in Winnipeg, another great example of CED.

Before going to Winnipeg, I had no idea what that place was like, but after being there for a short 3 days, my view of the city changed completely. Winnipeg still has problems, but with an active CED movement, there is hope for the north side of Winnipeg. With the Create Action program inspiring youth across the country there is hope for all communities across Canada.