This month, we’re focusing on resources for transforming systems. From a new Schwab Foundation report on social innovation to an upcoming webinar with Adam Kahane on everyday habits for transforming systems, we are putting a spotlight on the work of communities to make transformational systems change.
Developed by the Schwab Foundation, this report explores how social innovation can unite diverse stakeholders for large-scale social change. Each case study features the successes and strategies of collective social innovators from around the world, including the Tamarack Institute. This report is a call to action for funders, policymakers and changemakers to harness the power of collective action for lasting social impact.
An invitation to people with institutional power to join the work of transforming systems
Co-authored by a group of 11 global systems change leaders - including Tamarack alumnus Liz Weaver - this article explores the relational work of systems change. It invites those holding positions of power within organizations and philanthropy to shift away from transactional engagement towards a way of leading that is more relational and transformative to create the conditions to truly heal systems.
Join us for a powerful conversation with Adam Kahane and Sylvia Cheuy to explore the core ideas of Adam's latest book, Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems (released on April 8th, 2025), which is a "must-read" for anyone who is trying to advance positive change on a complex issue. To ensure our conversation moves beyond an introduction of the seven habits for transforming systems and creates space to dive more deeply into them, please come to this webinar having already read the book which can be pre-ordered here.
This summer and fall, Tamarack is hosting two Learning Cohorts for organizations and community leaders looking to highlight equity and anti-racism practices in their work.
From October to November, our second cohort will address challenging conversations related to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion that take place every day within our community spaces. We encourage you to learn more and sign up!
From Local Roots to National Impact: Connecting Entrepreneurs and Local Collaboratives
How can we deploy the assets of local collaboratives to break down the barriers that remote and rural entrepreneurs face?
How can we spread a successful, accessible, culturally relevant, AI-enabled strategy to support entrepreneurs in Canada’s rural, remote and Northern communities?
Over the next three years, Tamarack Institute and Small Economy Works are doing just this. By 2028, they aim to empower 300 entrepreneurs, launch or scale 150 businesses, and share learnings to accelerate stronger partnerships between entrepreneurs and local partnerships.
Igniting Hope and Action in Place: Reflections from Tamarack's Network
We are experiencing profound shifts in our communities and systems. We are experiencing widening disparities, decreased civic engagement, and erosion of the principles underpinning equity, belonging and community. And yet we observe inspiring themes: connecting across locations, integrating local and national approaches, supporting care, honoring uncertainty and hope, centring lived experiences, and clarifying what change we’re after. We’re buoyed by work from coast to coast to coast: youth strategies in Yukon, community engagement in Carman Manitoba, climate action in New York, and basic income advocacy in Atlantic Canada.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that our work occurs across Turtle Island (North America), which has been the ancestral home of Indigenous Peoples of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit descent.
Stay in touch with us
Tamarack Institute, University of Waterloo, 140 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6, Canada
