Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK) is launching a new program to support social entrepreneurs and organizations with social goals.
Innovate for Impact will help new and prospective entrepreneurs grow their ideas and launch or expand their social enterprises, through practical tools, guidance and community discussion. The program is running a virtual launch event on Wednesday, June 25 at 1 p.m., so locals can meet the project team.
"Social enterprise can be a powerful tool to build local capacity, support the creation of sustainable jobs and contribute to the overall economic health and development of our rural region. With this program, we hope to foster that inclusive economic growth and deep social impact that comes with communities lead their own transformation," said CFEK community economic development manager Robyn Peel.
The program will offer support for youth and young adults as well, encouraging them to grow ideas that can influence social change in the community, and connecting post-secondary students with job opportunities.
Going forward, workshops will be offered bi-monthly.
The program is being delivered in collaboration with Impact Toolbox, with funding from the provincial government's Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program.
"This work is building on previous projects developed in the Kootenays. We were fortunate in 2023 to run a pilot project to enable non-profit organizations to look at creating social enterprises to support new and sustainable funding streams. We were able to assist in the launch of four local businesses and increase the awareness across the region," said Peel.
For more information and to get a link to the online event, contact Robyn Peel at ced@cfek.ca or Kertin Renner at kerstin@cfek.ca
