Co-operatives & Rural Economic Development
A research and outreach project by the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities.
About the Project
The Co-operatives & Rural Economic Development research and outreach project explores the potential inherent in new and innovative local co-operatives to act as significant stimulants in rural economic development and service delivery throughout the rural regions of the province. Considering examples across North America and Europe, the overarching goal of this project is to answer the following questions:
- Which examples of successful rural co-operative models elsewhere are best positioned to be replicated in rural Alberta communities?
- What are the “best practices” associated with ensuring the success of these co-operatives?
- How can governments, local, provincial and federal, best support the establishment and growth of these local co-operatives in ways that ensures they generate good jobs and enhance service delivery in rural communities?
This project is made possible through a grant from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation.
Final Report & Policy Briefs
It is well known that many rural communities across North America have, for at least 2-3 decades, faced significant challenges related to declining economic opportunities and shrinking populations. The Final Report and accompanying policy primers related to this Co-operatives & Rural Economic Development project take direct aim at these problems by exploring the emergence of new and innovative local co-operatives that have been generating positive economic growth and enhanced service delivery in rural communities, "best practices" that are crucial to their success, and how government at all three levels can create a supportive environment for co-ops to thrive.
Webinar
May 9, 2024
Join ACSRC Director, Clark Banack, as he gives a highlight overview of the Final Report ‘Innovative Uses of the Co-op Model and Rural Economic Development Opportunities in Alberta and Beyond’ followed by a discussion on emerging new and innovative local co-operatives that have been generating positive economic growth, ‘best practices’ that are crucial to their success, and how government at all three levels can create a supportive environment for co-ops to thrive.
Conference
In October 2023, the ACSRC hosted the 'Reimagining Rural Economic Development: Co-operative Innovation and the Future of Our Communities' Conference at the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre in Camrose, AB.
Attended by over 100 rural community leaders, councillors, economic development and planning officers, and rural residents who care deeply about the future of their communities, this two-day event featured a collection of speakers including rural entrepreneurs, co-operative developers, and academics from across North America to showcase how innovative uses of the co-operative model can drive sustainable rural economic development.
For more information about the conference, including agenda, speakers, and partners/sponsors, please visit the conference website.
project Blog
Articles exploring how new and innovative local co-operatives have been generating positive economic growth and enhanced service delivery in rural communities, as part of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities 'Co-ops & Rural Economic Development' project.
Co-operatively Owned Green Energy Companies
Clark Banack, Director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities, explores examples of successful Renewable Energy Co-ops in Western Canada.
Sangudo Opportunity Development Co-op – The Model for Co-operative Investment in Rural Enterprise
Clark discusses the opportunities and challenges of the Opportunity Development Co-op model with Dan Ohler, Co-Founder, Sangudo Opportunity Development Co-op.
The Rural Wisconsin Co-op Ecosystem and the Importance of “Cross-Aisle” Political Support
Lessons learned from Wisconsin’s Rural Co-operative Eco-system.