Cities Deepening Community

Cities across Canada are recognizing the need to invest in the social well-being of citizens who live, work, and play in their communities in order to strengthen a sense of belonging, connection and citizenship leading to happier, healthier, safer and more engaged neighbourhoods.

Vibrant Communities – Cities Deepening Community is a collective impact movement and network aimed at deepening a sense of community in our cities. Through place-based efforts of multi sector roundtables and the alignment of strategies at the municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal levels we are creating a movement that creates the conditions that make deepening community a priority. Cities are joining this growing movement, thereby strengthening our ability to collectively learn from one another and effectively build healthier, safer more vibrant communities.

Cities Deepening Community Brochure

Local Deepening Community Initiatives have been shown to galvanize untapped community resources; create opportunities to nurture relationships across communities; and, strengthen the social connections that are essential to sustain dynamic neighbourhoods and reslient communities. - See more at: http://deepeningcommunity.ca/blogs/sylvia-cheuy/local-deepening-community-initiatives-tamarack-partnership-opportunity#sthash.qNAWQMrN.dpuf

We are working with communities and organizations across Canada and the United States since 2016 and have built a momentum connecting communities and supporting learning by bringing leaders together who are deepening community resilience and creating the necessary foundation for positive community change.

A Collection of Neighbourhood Strategies

This collection of neighbourhood strategies provides a glimpse into the work of seven cities involved in solutions to enhance community well-being. Cities Deepening Community is a network of people who are partnering with Tamarack Institute to explore the unique role that neighbours, neighbourhoods and communities play in creating positive futures.

Building A Case For Developing a Neighbourhood Strategy

Cities are now developing neighbourhood strategies that help guide the departments, organizations and residents to work together to build healthy vibrant neighbourhoods. This guide is for municipal staff or community groups interested in building the case for the development of a neighbourhood strategy.

Survey Says: Canadians are Lonely and Socially Isolated

The Angus Reid Institute, in partnership with Cardus, recently conducted a Canada-wide study on social isolation and loneliness and the results are concerning. Not only are we spending more time alone that we would like, we are feeling lonely even when we are surrounded by others.

Securing Funding for the Backbone Role: Lessons from the Field

One of the most common questions we hear from collective impact practitioners is how to raise the funds needed to support and sustain the backbone role. While some funders have a nuanced understanding of the immense value of collective impact initiatives, supporting the backbone is a different approach for many philanthropic and public funding sources.

How Does the Design of Communities Make Us More Connected?

Ever notice how the design of public space can shape the behaviour and interactions of people within it? Think about how likely you would be to ride your bike to the park instead of driving, choose healthier foods, or stop to chat with neighbours if you didn’t feel safe or if the services you need are not accessible or affordable.

Vibrant Communities