The Centre for Sustainable Development' (CSD) approach to Sustainable Communities has community engagement at its heart. Consequently, community outreach and mobilization are key components of all of its education and research programs. The Centre also collaborates with local, regional, national and international organizations to initiate, incubate and develop programs and projects that meet livelihood-security needs; many of these projects (such as the Light House Sustainable Building Centre below) evolve into independent organizations and become an integral part of community pathways to sustainable development.
Community Engagement
The Centre has been the incubator for many community-engaged intiatives, such as:
Green Scenes is a program of “green tours” designed to showcase sustainability initiatives in the region and around the world; projects that are relevant and adaptable to both developing and developed countries. The Green Scenes series of tours encompasses the following sectors: waste and resource management, energy, food security, green buildings/roofs, urban design, transportation and green businesses. Green Scenes was developed by Garden Heart Productions in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Development. For more information please contact Spring Gillard at: greens@sfu.ca
Embark is an independent, student-led not-for-profit based out of Simon Fraser University that empowers the next generation of student sustainability leaders. Their mission is to engage SFU student members in change making and inspire their sustainability leadership through our grant, advocacy, and student-designed programming.
Aboriginal CED: The Centre has conducted various research projects and outreach activities related to Aboriginal Community Economic Development. Follow the link for easy access to materials, resources and links.
Buy Local Store aims to create a food products market actor (such as a retail store, wholesaler or distributor) for consumers and producers to buy, sell and be local. Phase I of the project consists of a scope and feasibility study that will i) identify existing business models, ii) mobilize and engage community stakeholders, and iii) assess the key criteria for Phase II (i.e. location, financing, partnerships etc.). The ultimate goal is to catalyze sustainable community economic development. Please contact Chris Lindberg to get involved or for more information.