Shorefast’s Community Economies Pilot aimed to answer the question, “How do we strengthen community economies?” with the goal of determining how to shift local economies in service of place.
Intending to build networks and collaborative learning opportunities, Shorefast engaged organizations spanning community development, philanthropic, financial, and public sectors. The Pilot worked with five enterprising partner communities from across Canada; Fogo Island, NL; Hamilton, ON; London, ON; Prince Edward County, ON; and the South Island region of Vancouver Island, BC.
“The Community Economies Pilot work has opened our minds to the possibility of shifting the paradigm for economic impact for greater good. Sharing the journey with other communities, the values and model, and the concrete action that can be leveraged, is certain to shape our future for the better.”
~MICHELLE QUINTYN, PRESIDENT & CEO, GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, ONTARIO GREAT LAKES
The Pilot affirmed the need to consider interventions at a systems level across sectors, and the importance of working from the ground up and top down in tandem. The Pilot also confirmed four common themes across geographies that are impeding place-based economic development. A comprehensive list of key learnings from the Pilot can be found in this Final Report.
The pilot process and learnings which emerged from this experience laid the foundation for our next investment in supporting the development of strong place-based economies – the Shorefast Network. Emerging programming under the Shorefast Network is being designed in support of these four levers for change, centralizing toolsets, case studies, curriculum and opportunities for exchange to support more economic momentum in more places.
Community Economies Pilot Reports
Partner Communities
We are incredibly thankful to our five partner communities and the multitude of contributing organizations who supported the Pilot. Further information on each entity can be found below.
Prince Edward County, ON
Township of Prince Edward County
Thrive PEC – Newly created out of the CE Pilot Experience
Strategic and Supporting Partners
