Feasibility Study of the Community Development Learning Initiative (CDLI) for Calgary, for United Way of Calgary, the City of Calgary, Calgary Foundation | 2012

Sectors: Community

Countries: Canada

Client: United Way

A team of four carried out feasibility research on the idea of creating a community development learning initiative in Calgary. The impetus for the idea came from community development supporters and practitioners who were excited about a trend toward more grassroots involvement in neighbourhood strengthening initiatives. The City of Calgary, United Way of Calgary and Area and the Calgary Foundation funded the study to explore ways and means to encourage citizen learning to support community development practice.  

In the study, the team carried out an environmental scan of available learning resources for community residents and community development practitioners from local, national, and international sources; we examined the learning and training needs, gaps and preferences of practitioners and community residents involved in community development efforts, and we engaged potential partner organizations in an exploration of their interest in being part of community development learning scenarios. Our investigation involved a combination of large and small group consultations, key informant interviews, a comprehensive review of the literature, and community workshops.