1.Introduction
1.1. Background
The Nova Scotia Coastal Communities Network (CCN) is a non-profit, province-wide organization established in 1992 with a mandate to encourage dialogue, share information and develop strategies and action plans to promote the survival and development of coastal communities.
Over the past two years, the CCN has carried out broad consultations on the economic situations of rural communities throughout Nova Scotia, focusing on community economic development (CED), management of renewable resources, leadership issues, and strategies for creating healthy communities. The project involved three phases:
Phase I: Community Case Studies
Local facilitators were recruited and trained and focus group sessions were conducted in 8 Nova Scotia coastal and rural communities in the summer of 1996. This was followed by a provincial meeting with the facilitators, CCN staff and board members, and representatives of relevant federal and provincial government agencies. The result was a plan of action for a more comprehensive community consultation process leading to a provincial conference. The agreed-upon goals for the follow-up activities were:
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to promote networking and co-operation on CED among coastal and rural communities;
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to develop and advocate common policy positions reflecting the needs and interests of coastal and rural communities in the province;
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to conduct a dialogue with decision-makers in government on issues of concern to coastal and rural communities;
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to build the basis for continuing action and co-operation by coastal and rural communities.
Phase II: Regional Workshops
To implement the plans developed in Phase I, 13 regional workshops were held in coastal and rural Nova Scotia in the winter of 1998. The goals of the workshops were:
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provide opportunities for sharing and learning about current activities within each region;
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describe and examine the current state of community economic development (CED) in coastal and rural communities in the province;
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determine the needs and resource requirements of coastal and rural communities to ensure continued and further development.
Local coordinators were employed to recruit participants and to lead day-and-a-half-long sessions in which the achievements of local community development groups and CED projects were reviewed and celebrated, and priorities for future action were identified. Regional Development Authorities (RDAs) participated in almost all the workshops and were instrumental in organizing and facilitating five of them. Members of the Counting Women In network were instrumental in planning and organizing five of the workshops and participated in all thirteen.
A summary report on common themes and issues from the 13 workshops was developed and distributed. In total over 500 community leaders and activists attended the 13 workshops.
Phase III: The Provincial Conference
On May 8-10, 1998, the Building Our Future: Respecting Our Past Conference was held at White Point Beach Lodge in Queens County. The goals for the conference were:
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share experiences and learn about our development activities around the province;
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identify common issues and concerns that communities can work together to resolve;
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build a dialogue with government on new partnerships to address issues of community development, social adjustment and capacity building;
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plan follow-up strategies and actions to support the sustainable development of coastal and rural communities in Nova Scotia.
The Conference was attended by some 170 community leaders and activists, most of whom had participated in the regional workshops, and by approximately 40 representatives of federal and provincial government agencies. The agenda included panel presentations on CED approaches and strategies and on government policies and programs, as well as hard work in small groups on action plans and priorities. There were also social events and opportunities to network and to share experiences and ideas.
Generous support for the three phases of this project was provided by Human Resources Development Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada -- Rural Secretariat, and the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture. The substantial achievements of the project would not have been possible without the advice and financial contributions of these government agencies.
1.2. Scope of this Report:
Each of the 13 regional workshops held in the winter of 1998 produced a workshop report, and from these a draft summary was developed. The draft summary was reviewed in detail in the small group sessions at the Building Our Future: Respecting Our Past Conference, and a number of detailed changes and improvements were agreed upon.
In this report we present the revised overview together with the proposals generated at the conference on the role of government and the action plan for promoting CED for coastal and rural Nova Scotia. The result is a comprehensive overview of the current state of coastal and rural communities in Nova Scotia, and of their needs and capabilities in terms of CED.
1.3. A Clear Message from Coastal and Rural Nova Scotia
This report represents the views and aspirations of the many groups and organizations that actively promoted and participated in the process. While the CCN undertook the planning and organization for the community case studies, the regional workshops and the conference, none of it would have been possible without the active support and participation of RDAs, women's organizations, municipal government agencies, university extension departments, community learning centers, local development associations, First Nations groups, and numerous individual volunteers.
The CCN can therefore say proudly, and with full confidence, that this report expresses the shared understandings and commitments of a broad cross section of informed and active citizens in coastal and rural Nova Scotia.
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2. The current State of Development in Coastal and Rural Nova Scotia
In this section we present an overview of the challenges faced by coastal and rural communities in pursuing their own development. The analysis centers on three major aspects of the current situation:
1. Strengths: the human and natural resources of coastal and rural communities, their successes in community economic development to date, and the major opportunities for future development based on these positive factors;
2. Challenges: the major constraints to be overcome by coastal and rural communities in pursuing local development;
3. Tasks: the action priorities for coastal and rural communities to build on their strengths and opportunities, and to overcome the constraints on their development.
2.1. Strengths
2.1.1. Strengths of coastal and rural communities
Communities are surviving the crisis
Moving past grief and denial to clearer understandings of realities and challenges
Developing new leadership
Moving past dependence on government to taking control
Gaining a knowledge base
New sense of power
Openness to innovative approaches
(Some communities are much further along than others)
Strength and resilience
Strong sense of community
Able to build on historical identities and traditions
Openness to change on individual and community levels
Pride in community
Creativity on community level
Self-reliance
A strong co-operative tradition to build on
2.1.2. The Resources of Coastal and Rural Communities
Geography and natural beauty
Relatively unspoiled environments
Access to the sea
Many areas under-utilized in terms of tourism and recreation
Stable communities in beautiful places
Under-populated towns and villages
Attractive places for people to live, locate their businesses
Human resources
Cultural diversity
Strong local entrepreneurship
Women taking greater leadership in spite of identified barriers
Seniors have wisdom and experience
Knowledge and skills of community members
Tradition of economic innovation and entrepreneurship during hard times through co-ops, CED projects, etc.
2.1.3. Opportunities for Future Development
Sectors with growth potential
Information technology and other advanced technologies (applications in both new and traditional sectors)
Natural gas (potential benefits for rural areas if have access)
Aquaculture
Heritage development
Global market for attractive, safe retirement communities
Eco-tourism, adventure tourism
Cultural industries
Small business in competitive service industries
Value-added production
Primary sector (hardwoods, fish products, etc.)
Tourism and recreation
Community based management of renewable resources
Improve conservation and habitat enhancement
Build towards sustainable harvesting levels
Shift knowledge industry jobs to rural communities
2.1.4. Successes in CED
Infrastructure
Expanding CED structures that are responsive to community needs and aspirations -- RDAs, community organizations, co-operatives, investment funds, credit unions, etc.
Expanding education and training systems -- colleges and universities, libraries, community learning networks, active community schools
Improvements in integration and accessibility of government programs and program information from different levels of government
Building Networks
Networking is well developed on a regional basis, is expanding across sectors and provincially
Beginning to build on these networks among coastal and rural communities so they can work together, cooperate on projects and programs
CED experience
Many concrete examples of local CD/CED to share, learn form and build on
Accumulate CED successes and expertise now being shared nationally and internationally.
2.2. Challenges
2.2.1. Community development issues
Burn-out of leaders and volunteers
Many responsibilities have been down-loaded onto community organizations without compensating resources
Not enough programs to train, support and motivate new leaders and volunteers
Need to target young people to get new blood into community organizations
Uneven community involvement in development
Some communities still under severe stress due to loss of major employers and of core services like hospitals or schools
Evidence of social breakdown in some areas due to long-term poverty and unemployment
Many communities still at very early stages of CED
Some communities more physically and/or socially isolated than others
Resources for CED don't always reach communities at grass roots
Many people still do not know about or understand CED
Weakening of linkages within and among communities
Breakdown of established community links, activity centers and patterns of communication
Loss of rural institutions (schools, churches)
Imposed regional structures
Greater isolation and frustration vis-a-vis decision-making
Loss of infrastructure
Transportation
Harbour and wharf facilities
Childcare
2.2.2. Constraints related to governments
Governments down-loading responsibilities but not resources
Financial and workload responsibilities for CED placed on communities and volunteers
Lack of recognition by government of CED processes, groups and initiatives
Government programs unstable and unreliable
Adding to stress and instability for communities
Lack of stable, adequate funding for CED projects and staff
Communities discouraged, feel they lack control
Turf, tradition and tribalism at the county and region level
Lack of co-operation and integrated approaches among agencies
Regulatory system constrains small business and CED projects
Delays and red tape
People frustrated and discouraged by rejections of proposals and ever-changing program criteria
2.2.3. Knowledge and skills issues
Low literacy levels
Contributes to lack of confidence and participation
Lack of adult education programs targeting rural areas
Need CED materials, resource management documents, etc. that are accessible for people with limited reading abilities
Lack of relevant school programs
School programs don't give youth skills to stay in rural communities
Lack of training in CED -- schools and adult education
Schools losing arts and culture programs, links to valuable cultural industry
2.2.4. Environment and sustainable development issues
Serious environmental problems in some areas
Need to provide healthy, clean environments for people to live and work
Need to protect and improve habitat for wildlife, renewable resources
Planning needs
Need for better planning and assessment of environmental impacts of CED projects
Community commitment to sustainability
Need for greater community awareness and agreement on sustainable development goals
2.2.5. Loss of community control or influence over local economy
Unplanned and unregulated land sales
Reduced control over development of residential and recreational lands through land purchases by non-residents
Lack of planning on how to integrate residential and recreational development with wider local development for long-term
Reduced public access to seashore, lakes, forests
Loss of local control over renewable resources
Concentration of ownership of fish quotas and fishing enterprises
Concentration of ownership of forest resources
Loss of control over capital and money flows
Benefits of economic activities not retained -- just throughput and cash flow, limited local investment
No control over what banks do with local deposits
Community savings don't stay in the community
Earnings from resource industries not invested back into protecting and renewing vulnerable resources
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2.3. Tasks
2.3.1. Develop and advocate common policy positions
Work together to develop clear positions and policies
Promote legislation to support value-added production and other rural priorities
Develop a united voice on wider policy issues (e.g., Multilateral Agreement on Investment)
Build linkages with wider support groups on policy issues
Advocacy for CED
Tell our success stories, and share them among communities
Build mutual support for local initiatives
Protect and expand rural community infrastructure for health, education, economic development (e.g., wharves)
Press for greater say in local decision-making
Promote life-long learning systems linked to CED
2.3.2. Build and reinforce regional and provincial networks
Expand CCN's role and mandate to cover coastal and rural communities
Build a strong unified voice for CED in coastal and rural communities
Expand co-operation between CCN and RDAs
Clarification of respective mandates
Development of shared initiatives and projects
Develop data bases and directories
People and skills
Fund-raising opportunities
People who have emigrated who can still support the community
CED organizations
Government support programs
Volunteers in communities
Training programs and groups
Expand consultation across sectors
Link work going on in different areas, within and across sectors (e.g., forestry and fishing)
Adapt models for sustainable development and community based management from one sector to another
2.3.3. Expand co-operation among communities on CED
Reduce competition within and between towns, local areas for program support, projects
Develop combined marketing strategies and projects
Allow scope for innovation and entrepreneurship
Develop common strategies to add value to our products
Mobilize local capital and matching outside funds for investment in value-added production
Joint initiatives on research and development
Joint marketing strategies on cultural industries, tourism, etc.
Promote local purchases of local products (import substitution)
Expand inclusiveness of CED
Recognize and celebrate the value of cultural and ethnic diversity
Take steps to ensure that all groups in the community are involved in CED
Build communications and understanding between diverse groups
Take steps to draw youth into CED approaches and projects
2.3.4. Immediate action to promote rural access to offshore gas
Need for united front on rural access
Advocacy at the political level
Need to act quickly, effectively
Develop community owned distribution systems
Explore use of co-operative model
2.3.5. Sustainable development and protection of the environment
Promote community based resource management
Common policy positions
Co-operation on training programs
Shared approaches to problem-solving and conflict resolution
Expand community control over land and resources
Reasonable limits on foreign ownership of lands
Protect public access to coastal areas, forests, etc.
Develop recreation and residential land use for optimal local development and protection of environment
2.3.6. Make education and training work for coastal and rural communities
Improve rural access to life long learning opportunities
Deliver education/training to local areas through distance education methods and other innovations
Expand programs focused on family life and personal development to complement job related and CED training
Recognize the learning accomplished through experience in community leadership and volunteerism in terms of academic program credits
Address rural realities
Make it relevant to rural conditions and needs
Address adult learner needs -- literacy, up-grading, skills
Promote affordable and accessible education for rural communities
Expand and integrate school programs targeting youth to stay in rural areas
Expand CED education, training and information exchange
Leadership and team-building skills
Community capacity building
Organizational skills
Entrepreneurship, both for individuals and communities
Mentoring program for small business start-ups
Fund-raising, proposal writing, grantsmanship
Advocacy skills
Citizenship
2.3.7. Advocate changes in government programs
Simplify the bureaucracy
Make it more accessible
Produce documents with inclusive, less bureaucratic language
Stabilization of policies and programs
Clarify roles of government levels, agencies
Push for longer term commitments on program guidelines, funding, etc.
Develop partnerships on a contractual basis
Expand participation by community representatives to encourage better fit between program design and community needs
Expand and improve supports for business start-ups
Expand and improve one-stop shopping for new enterprise supports
Reduce red tape and delays
New ways to reduce costs of failure for people who take risks to invest locally
2.3.8. Maintain and improve infrastructure
Joint action to promote continuing government support
Communities develop and advocate common policy positions
Support community ownership of infrastructure
Organization and training for managing infrastructure (e.g., harbours and wharves)
2.3.9. Making information technology (IT) work for rural communities
Education and training on IT hardware and software applications for CED
Education and training to expand internet access for families and community groups
Advocate improved rural access to phone systems and other communications infrastructure. (e.g., Cell phones)
Advocate the continuation and expansion of the Community Access Program (CAP) for internet access in rural communities
3. Government and Coastal and Rural CED
Participants at the Building Our Future: Respecting Our Past Conference were asked to consider the most appropriate roles for government in CED and to identify the programs and resources that are most needed. The following is a summary of the results of these small group and plenary discussions.
3.1. Government's role in coastal and rural CED: Principles
3.1.1. CED belongs to communities
CED is a bottom up process
Communities must retain ownership of CED
The energy, direction and creativity must come from communities
Governments must be sensitive to, and respect, this principle
3.1.2. Government follows community lead
Listen actively, take direction from communities
be facilitators, not controllers
Provide real support and resources
when, where and how they are needed
Open up decision-making on policy, programs and delivery
promote direct participation by legitimate community representatives
3.1.3. Expanded community role in management of renewable resources is essential to sustainable development
community based management promotes responsible resource conservation and harvesting
community based management creates sustainable knowledge industry jobs in local areas
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3.2.Government's role in coastal and rural CED: Action Priorities
3.2.1. Develop an integrated province-wide CED policy
Unified policy framework for federal, provincial, municipal and other CED delivery agencies
Define goals and roles and monitor conformity
Reduce duplication, competition and turf protection among agencies
3.2.2. Develop effective CED communications
Inform public on CED policies, programs and activities
Disseminate stories of successes, achievements
Provide clear information on roles of on roles of government agencies, RDAs, communities, program criteria, etc.
Use accessible, inclusive language
More user friendly communication methods
Support development of data bases and directories for CED resources - organizations & people
More face-to-face contact between government and communities
Government staff should do more field work
Expand community access to people making the decisions
Support expansion of community access to IT and other communications systems
Help link communities together with Internet bulletin boards, conferences, dissemination of government documents, etc.
3.2.3. Expand direct community participation in CED policies and program design
Recognize, support and work with legitimate organizations representing coastal and rural communities
Ongoing consultation on planning and priority setting
Policy formulation
Program design
Needs assessments
Program evaluation
3.2.4. Integrate and improve government support systems for CED
Simplify bureaucracy and reduce red tape
Expand integrated, effective one-stop-services for CED
Develop flexible criteria for funding, allowing for unique community needs, capabilities and circumstances
Improve decision-making on funding applications
Decentralize and expand community input and participation in decision-making
Speed up the process
Have more reasonable applications procedures relative to value of grant
Develop on-line application procedures
Stabilize program goals and criteria
Longer-term commitments
Set program goals and standards and stick with then
Allow greater flexibility within programs to adapt to community circumstances
Expand core funding for CED groups
Place priority on more isolated communities
Support the establishment of community based investment funds
Training and mentoring for fund managers
Matching funds
Protection of investors equity
3.2.5.Support education, training and community capacity building for CED
Expand CED training
Support leadership development and CED skills training
Training for government staff and community leaders in participatory research and effective consultation
Support entrepreneurship training
Support training in community based resource management
Training in marketing for arts, culture and crafts
Expand life-long learning opportunities in coastal and rural communities
Expand community based delivery of literacy and basic education
Expand distance education programs and other delivery of adult education to rural communities
Strengthen links between school system and CED
Involve school boards in CCN, RDAs and other CED bodies
Inform teachers and guidance counselors about CED
Make school curricula more relevant to rural social and economic conditions and opportunities
Give young people the knowledge and skills to stay and thrive in coastal and rural communities
Expand involvement of local business people, co-operative leaders and CED groups in learning programs in the schools
3.2.6. Promote participation and inclusiveness in CED
Continued support for, and facilitation of, CED networking among coastal and rural communities
Recognize and support the achievements and special needs of women in rural CED
Recognize and support costs of child care, elder care, transportation and other constraints in participation of women
Recognize and support the achievements and special needs of linguistic and ethnic minorities in rural CED
Recognize and invest in the unique opportunities for economic development related to minority cultures
Provide financial and other incentives for volunteer participation
Tax breaks for costs of volunteer work
3.2.7. Actively promote community based management of renewable resources
Implement genuine partnerships with communities to transfer authority, knowledge, skills and resources to communities
Provide training to government staff in working collaboratively with communities and facilitating co-management processes
Study, consult communities, and develop effective strategies to regulate foreign ownership of land and renewable resources
Develop long-term plans for land use and development to optimize economic spin-offs while maintaining local control and ownership
3.3. Government's role in coastal and rural CED: Evaluation
3.3.1. Develop relevant evaluation and accountability frameworks
Promote effective community participation in deciding CED goals and evaluation criteria
Use social and cultural development measures as well as economic indicators
Use consistent evaluation criteria for government agencies, RDAs, community based CED projects
3.3.2. Provide training and resources to CED groups for ongoing project evaluation
4. Action Priorities for Coastal and Rural CED
Participants at the Building Our Future: Respecting Our Past Conference were asked to identify the most important action steps to be taken in the immediate future to address the development needs of coastal and rural communities. It was understood that these recommendations would apply to the CCN and to other CED groups and organizations participating in the conference. The following is a summary of the results of these small group and plenary discussions.
4.1. Action on the Conference Report
4.1.1. Disseminating the Report
CCN should draft the conference report and have it vetted by conference participants as quickly as possible
Present report to three levels of government
Present to provincial Cabinet, to all municipal councils for coastal and rural areas, and to Regional Directors General in federal HRDC, DFO, Environment Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
Explain the process by which the report was developed, and promote it as a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the current needs, aspirations and capabilities of coastal and rural communities in Nova Scotia
Urge governments to implement the action priorities that pertain to their respective areas of responsibility
Urge governments to use the report as a blueprint for developing more integrated, consistent and effective policies and programs for rural CED
Disseminate report to appropriate groups and organizations
RDAs
Community Business Development Corporations
Local development associations
University extension departments
Voluntary planning
Co-ops and credit unions
Self-employment organizations
Community Learning Networks
School boards
Local MPs and MLAs
Community health boards
Political parties
Women's organizations
First Nations
Local media outlets
Provincial and local Acadian associations
Organizations in the Black community
Fish harvester organizations
Forestry related organizations
Use a "road show" approach
Develop short, high impact version of report
Go around province and make presentations to boards, councils, local organizations etc.
Develop a web site presentation of the report
4.1.2. Define and develop the core CCN mandate
A provincial voice for coastal and rural communities in Nova Scotia
Expand mandate to include rural communities
Change name to Coastal and Rural Communities Network (CRCN)
Promotion of an integrated vision for CED
Interdependence of economic, social and cultural development processes
Development of common policy positions
Facilitate community participation in policy formulation
Advocate common policies with governments
Facilitation of networking and communications among coastal and rural communities
Development of directories and data bases of contacts, resources, project supports, funding sources, etc.
Promotion of rural community access to electronic information sources
Conferences and workshops
Promotion of CED with government and communities
Documentation of success stories and best practices
Presentations to government program staff and policy makers
Outreach to community leaders and organizations not previously involved in CED
Regular regional and provincial conferences
Promote CED
Leadership development
Share knowledge and skills
Share success stories
Build networks
Promotion of CED education and training in universities, colleges and schools
Education and training for community leaders
Inclusion of CED in school curricula
4.1.3. Further develop CRCN structure, membership governance and accountability
Develop a mission statement
Use this report as a basis
Clear expression of objectives, goals and vision
Protect and expand identity as a grassroots organization
Ensure CRCN membership is representative and accountable to grassroots
Reflect all coastal and rural regions of province
Representation for key CED organizations and cultural groups
Linkages to school boards and health boards
Regular terms of office
More consistent selection criteria and methods
Set up working groups on policy, CED education and training
4.1.4. Develop positive working relationship between CRCN and RDAs
Identify ways to work together and support each other's roles
Agree on respective mandates
Agree on common approaches to promoting and integrating CED
Set up working group to develop strategic plan for ongoing collaboration between CRCN and RDAs
Partnership with Agriculture Canada - Rural Secretariat
Act immediately to access available funding
4.1.5. Each one teach one
All conference participants are responsible to follow-up by sharing conference results and promoting CED in their communities
Get participants in each Regional Workshop back together to share the conference experience and review the report
Work through local media
Contact local politicians
Reach out to other community groups and individuals
4.1.6. Work with government and communities to create an accountability framework for CED
Integrated evaluation approach among CRCN, RDAs, government agencies, community organizations
Evaluation criteria to reflect social and cultural development measures as well as economic indicators
This publication and others are available by contacting the CCN at:
Ph: (902) 379-2688
Fax:(902) 379-2698
or E-Mail: coastalnet@ns.sympatico.ca