The date for this opportunity has passed.

Are you involved in a community change effort in your community?

Harness new tools in this five-part workshop series designed for individuals passionate about community, that are curious about how to apply an economic lens to social issues. Grow your understanding of the connections between the local economy, community development and social change in areas such as food security, affordable housing and local job creation.

Workshops can be taken independently or completed in full to earn a certificate of completion. This workshop series is designed in partnership between the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University, the Calgary Public Library and Thrive.

The Solutions Economy
Date: April 26, 2019, 1:30 – 5:00pm

Communities around the world are looking to the local economy as a means of addressing growing social and environmental issues. This workshop will explore the history of how the economy has evolved and the growing imperative to build a new economy focused on local solutions to create social change.

The Changing Nature of Business
Date: May 24, 2019, 12:00 – 5:00pm

There is a growing responsibility worldwide for business to go beyond a financial return to shareholders to seek a greater community benefit that prioritizes people and place. As a result, new ways of doing business are emerging. This workshop will explore the changing nature of business and the role of social enterprise and cooperatives to address issues related to the energy transition (climate change), housing, food security, local job creation, gender equality and Reconciliation.

Strengthening Systems for Community Economies
Dates: June 21, 2019, 12:00 – 5:00pm

Building inclusive community economies often requires systems change to enable more community-based economic development. This workshop will explore the current opportunities to affect policy change towards a more just and equitable society for all. Learn how localizing spending and fostering community ownership build inclusive community economies.

Reconciliation and an Inclusive Economy
Dates: September 13, 2019, 12:00 – 5:00pm

Faced with growing income inequality and stubbornly high levels of poverty in communities across Canada, Reconciliation offers a new perspective on building the local economy. In this workshop, learn how Indigenous worldview intersects with community-based economic development and the opportunities to build a shared understanding that creates jobs and builds communities.

Financing Social Change
Dates: October 4, 2019, 11:30am – 8:00pm

Social change efforts that fail often lack the financial foresight needed to create the social benefit they are seeking. This workshop will explore what financing tools exist to support social change efforts from grassroots lending circles and local investment to the growing impact investing sector. Learn from fearless pioneers that have succeeded in creating sustainable large-scale community change through different financing solutions.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.ca.

If you have financial and/or travel barriers to attend, please email info@thrivecalgary.org with the subject line Economics of Social Change, to explore options for attendance.

Economics of Social Change is made possible thanks to financial support from United Way of Calgary and Area and Family and Community Support Services Calgary.

Thanks to the Calgary Public Library for hosting our workshop series this year and for its ongoing support in the community.