Rural Communities
People living in rural communities have unique experiences and are subject to isolation, lack of services, economic and food insecurity, as well as transportation issues. Resources here address these issues mentioned above.
Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities
The mission of the ACSRC is to link the research, outreach and educational capacity of the University of Alberta with students, researchers, rural communities, rural community organizations and policy makers at multiple levels across the province, nationally, and internationally in order to support the improved sustainability of rural communities and populations.
This coalition advocates for digital inclusion of rural Albertan residents (most residents do not have reliable internet). They host a forum to discuss policy, technical barriers, and regulation issues within rural Alberta.
ALUS, originally an acronym for Alternative Land Use Services, is a charitable organization with an innovative community-developed and farmer-delivered program that produces, enhances and maintains ecosystem services on agricultural lands. Projects such as wetland restoration and enhancement, riparian buffers, shelterbelts, afforestation and native prairie grass restoration provide cleaner water and air, habitat, carbon sequestration and climate resiliency.
Canada Community Revitalization Fund
The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) aims to help communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a national investment of $500 million over two years, the CCRF will support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and other community groups, as well as Indigenous communities in building new community infrastructure and revitalizing existing assets, bringing people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease and creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
Challenges of Youth Justice in Rural and Isolated Areas in Canada
This site includes a description of legal barriers for youth in rural and isolated areas of Canada. Topics include the inaccessibility of services; transportation difficulties in and out of communities; delays in processing; and problems specific to Indigenous communities (discrimination, poverty, etc.)
Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network in Canada. Poverty, along with a lack of access to logistics, proper infrastructure, and transportation has resulted in many Canadians living in northern and remote communities to experience disproportionate levels of food insecurity.
The Nunavut Food Security strategies is a reflection of the public engagement process for poverty reduction and food insecurity. It describes actions that must be taken to tackle food insecurity and poverty. The site includes statistics of food insecurity, definitions of food security, and the possible causes and impacts.
RDN supports rural sustainability by filling gaps in service and avoiding unnecessary duplication of services. They accurately identify social issues and find effective solutions for them.
A mental health toolkit made specifically for rural residents. This website has pages with resources, activities, and information about mental health for various groups (ex. teenagers, senior citizens, etc.). This is to combat the mental health stigma and the lack of resources found in those areas. There are videos and stories from rural residents about mental health and the struggles specific to those in agricultural or rural societies .
SARM is an association that represents its membership of rural municipal government in Saskatchewan and is the principal advocate in representing them before senior governments. As the voice for rural Saskatchewan for over 100 years, they have spoken strongly and clearly to represent rural municipal governments.
Thirsty for Justice campaigns for universal access to clean water, guided by four main themes: Water is a Human Right, Water is Threatened, Water is Public, and Water is Life. Campaigning is executed through both education and hearing the stories of individuals across Canada.
The Community Futures Program funds 267 local community development offices across Canada that provide small business services to people living in rural and remote communities. Each office delivers small business loans, tools, training and events for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.
The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program
The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training ( ISET) Program is a distinctions-based labour market program designed to support First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous people improve their skills and meet their long-term career goals. ISET funds a network of over 100 Indigenous service delivery organizations with over 600 points of service in urban, rural and remote areas to provide Indigenous people with training and supports to improve their skills and secure employment.
Water First NGO focuses on communicating and collaborating with various Indigenous communities to secure clean drinking water through internship programs which prepare Indigenous youth to work in clean water plants.
Power in Numbers
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Total Resources
