BC Government Funding for Co-op Development

In July 2022, the BC Government funding of $2 million through a one-time government grant to British Columbia’s co-operative movement was officially announced. This funding will support co-op business development and growth, expand services, and enhance the work of co-operatives. We sat down with Elvy Del Bianco, Director, Cooperative & Government Relations, to discuss the … Continued

Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp – March 2-5 in Nelson!

| Agriculture, Business, Community, Environment, Events

Are you part of a team interested in forming your own co-op? Join us for the next cohort of Co-operate Now: Co-op Development Bootcamp for entrepreneurs and community members ready to build their co-op enterprise. The spring session plans to be a primarily in-person affair, hosted by our friends at the Upper Columbia Co-op Council  in beautiful Nelson, BC from … Continued

September Co-op Cafe presents: The Community Generation Project Incubator

| Business, Education, Environment, Science & Tech

Defined by Wikipedia, renewable energy is “energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy often provides energy in four important areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation, and rural (off-grid) energy services.” There are groups dedicated to providing access to renewable energy resources and September’s Co-op Café will review the Community Generation Project … Continued

We are Co-ops: Cooperation at Victory Gardens

| Community, Environment, We Are Co-ops

By Madelyn Read Welcome to our series “We Are Co-ops” in which we profile our diverse membership and demonstrate the innovation the flexible co-op model supports and enables! BCCA had the chance to catch up with Lisa Giroday of Victory Gardens and learn about their resiliency and growth as a co-operative.  Who and what is Victory Gardens?  … Continued

North Cowichan and Sustainability Solutions Group win 2013 Climate & Energy Action Award

| Environment |

For release: 18th September 2013 Contact: Petronella Tyson, petronella@sustainabilitysolutions.ca The Municipality of North Cowichan was awarded the Community Energy Association’s Community Planning and Development Award at this week’s UBCM conference. Sustainability Solutions Group (SSG) performed North Cowichan’s unique and innovative Climate Action and Energy Plan, launched earlier this year. The plan, with funding support from … Continued

BALTA: Webinar with Elizabeth Sheehan from Climate Smart

| Environment |

Elizabeth Sheehan, the co-founding champion and now president of Climate Smart Business Inc , is leading an exciting webinar on the evolution and scaling of a unique community based approach to carbon reduction.  Organized as a B-Corp which blends non-profit and private ownership, Climate Smart is a social enterprise focused on engaging small and mid–size … Continued

Co-op Cinema Provides Front-Row Seat in Struggle to End Poverty

New co-op cinema gives front-row view of Canadian efforts to beat global poverty Ottawa March 1, 2010  ̶̶  Canadians have a new way to experience the fight to end global poverty thanks to a virtual movie theatre recently unveiled by the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) on its website. “On any given day, Canadians are working in remote … Continued

CED Study Bursaries are Available!

$1000 community economic development bursary Deadline to apply: December 14, 2009 The Canadian CED Network, Coast Capital Savings and the Vancity Community Foundation are pleased to announce applications are being accepted for $1000 bursaries to enroll in Simon Fraser University’s Certificate Program for Community Economic Development. The SFU Certificate Program for Community Economic Development is … Continued

Credit Unions in BC Win Awards for Innovation

| Business, Community, Environment, Youth |

SIX CREDIT UNIONS HONOURED FOR INNOVATION Six Credit unions in Ontario and British Columbia were honoured on November 6 as Central 1 Credit Union presented its 2009 Innovation Awards. The awards were presented to winners and runner-ups in three categories:   (1) an innovative retail, business or insurance product or a new source of income; (2) … Continued