We are a non-profit organization that works with rural, remote and Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada. We collaborate to identify and bring focus to rural issues, build local capacity, and develop innovative, rural-based solutions to social and economic challenges.

Our work includes:

-Developing capacity-building toolkits & resources

-Providing expertise, capacity, training, & community engagement

-Advocating on key issues & amplifying the rural voice

-Supporting with accessing project & capital funding

(Lisa is primary contact for the organization but there would be other project leads depending on which project it is.)

Project idea #1: Storytelling – The Rural Development Network is the responsible for distributing the Reaching Home funding from the Government of Canada to rural and remote organizations and communities in Alberta, including First Nation and Métis Settlement communities, to support community efforts in addressing and responding to homelessness. Our organization is committed to continuing to advocate on behalf of these communities for the need for increased funding to address rural homelessness. Something we’ve been trying to do for years, and generally lack the capacity to do, is to pull together the powerful stories and data from the communities we work with that showcase the impact that their work, and this funding, has in their communities and for people experiencing homelessness. This would greatly support advocacy efforts, and provide tangible stories and information to share with government. We are looking for a student to help research and compile stories, reports, and data to share successes and outcomes for our advocacy work in getting increased funding allocated to rural communities for homelessness, as well as share the successes of these communities with others who could potentially replicate their approach or learn from it.

Project Idea #2: Implementing Best Practices & Policies in Violence Against Women Shelters: We recently completed the Shelter Pulse project which has been dedicated to creating research-based, trauma-informed policies and procedures for rural Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters across Canada. These policies and procedures are now available on an online database accessible to those working in the sector. However many shelters, especially in smaller rural communities, still lack the time, capacity, and training to actually implement these policies into their operations. We want to develop workshops and resources to continue supporting with next steps & the implementation. We are looking for a student to support with any aspect of this work, such as developing workshop materials, change management resources, developing short videos (or video scripts) for providing an overview of the implementation of key policies and procedures through a change management approach, creating a guide or toolkit, or any other resources to support shelters in implementing the procedures.

Project Idea #3: Indigenous housing guide - Our Sustainable Housing Initiative (SHI) is redefining housing by supporting the development of cost-effective, innovative, and sustainable housing in rural communities across Canada. Rural Canada has a critical shortage of affordable housing options but it hasn’t received the same attention as urban centers. In addition to providing community members with a safe and adequate place to live, housing also strengthens social inclusion, promotes a sense of community, and is critical to economic development. A core part of our work is to help rural communities access project and capital funding to develop cost-effective, innovative and sustainable housing through a proven and streamlined process. We have published an award-winning Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Affordable Housing in collaboration with housing professionals across Canada, and are currently exploring the creating of another guide for Indigenous communities

Each community partner will receive a project package: situational assessment/ system analysis/mapping/ proposed interventions and innovations/Logic Model and digital communication tool . These communication artifacts will vary depending on the intended audience and purpose of the communication but could be:

• An infographic
• Social media strategy/ communication campaign
• Case for support (for advocacy or funding leverage)
• Video clip/ digital tools/video promotion
• Web page/Google Site
• Toolkit
• Content and design for APP

Project supervisor will provide input and feedback throughout the project including at the mid-project and end of project points. This will include feedback on the project, project progression and the team's demonstrated and developing competencies.