The Social Entrepreneurship Evolution (SEE) program will travel to five Northern Ontario communities next week as part of an “asset mapping” tour.
This community-based research aims to advance a more in-depth understanding of the existing and necessary infrastructure in Northern Ontario that supports youth social entrepreneurship. Events will be hosted in Wawa, Marathon, Pic Mobert First Nation, White River and Hornepayne.
“Youth in Northern Ontario know their communities, know the challenges to succeeding and are brimming with ideas to improve the quality of life in ways that can be profitable and provide brighter futures,” said Allyson Schmidt, project lead for SEE.
“Continuing the work that SEE has been doing these past three years strengthens the social and economic fabric of our region.”
During the event, community members are invited to share their knowledge, networks, community contacts and the many supports that foster social innovation and community change in Northern Ontario.
“These community events help to build the capacity for social enterprises to develop and grow, as well as provide a more in-depth understanding of what resources exist in Northern Ontario communities, highlighting where the gaps, barriers and needs are,” said Elizabeth MacMillan, action researcher of SEE.
SEE is a three-year project funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation Future Fund that works towards creating a significant and sustainable change in Northern Ontario.
This cross-cultural youth-led collaborative works in partnership with young changemakers across the region to develop the networks and tools they need to both make a living and improve the quality of life of those around them through social innovation and social enterprises.
The SEE program is a pan-Northern initiative that’s administered out of the NORDIK Institute at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie.
