Community-Based Neighbourhood Development in Manitoba

Shannon Watson (Neighbourhoods Alive!) & Kemlin Nembhard (Daniel McIntyre/St. Matthews

Community Association)

• Launched in 2000 as a long term social & economic strategy to support community-driven revitalization efforts in older designated neighbourhoods in Winnipeg and across Manitoba

Neighbourhoods Alive!: History

Neighbourhoods Alive!: Some Important Principles

• NA! supports a “community-led” model of community revitalization.

• Community-led: – recognizing local strengths, knowledge, experience– Supporting locally-identified issues by building on local

strengths, knowledge & experience. • Neighbourhoods are unique. Community revitalization will look

different in different neighbourhoods. • It takes more than bricks and mortar

Neighbourhoods Alive!: Some Important Principles

• NA! supports Community Economic Development (CED)

• CED: – Supports local capacity– Builds resiliency– 9 principles – Supporting locally-identified

issues by building on local strengths, knowledge & experience.

– e.g. Supporting local businesses, training opportunities

Community Leadership

• Neighbourhood Renewal Corporations (NRCs) enact the principles of the community-led approach and CED at the local level.

• Neighbourhoods Alive! Neighbourhood Development Assistance core funding supports 12 NRCs

• NRCs develop multi-faceted plans, engage communities and coordinate local renewal efforts

Support for a Multi-Pronged Approach

• Neighbourhoods Alive! provides funding and capacity support through various programs to support locally-determined broad community goals.

– Housing & physical improvements

– Employment & training – Recreation & well-being– Safety & crime

prevention– Capacity building

A Community Example: Daniel McIntyre/St. Matthews

• Commitment to a 5-year renewal plan

• Extensive local involvement & partnerships

• Completed and active projects in priority areas

• Core funded staff to focus on renewal

• Vibrant local office; creating a hub for local engagement • Increased organizational capacity

Community-Government Partnership

• Funding program parameters remain broad to support community goals & flexibility

• Communities lead and determine initiatives

• Extensive interaction between Neighbourhoods Alive! staff and Neighbourhood Renewal Corporations

Challenges

• Each community has to continually seek various funds to complete project goals

• Neighbourhood history and current conditions require complex, long-term actions

• Difficult to evaluate broad levels of change to validate efforts

• Core funding supports a limited number of staff positions

Change is Evident

• Increased number and complexity of projects and engagement processes

• Social enterprises have emerged• Community visions have evolved• Physical conditions of communities have

improved

2010 Neighbourhoods Alive! Evaluation Finding

“Since you moved to the area (or in the last 10 years), how satisfied are you with your neighbourhood?”

41%

14%

45%Less satisfied now (1-3)

No change (4)

More satisfied now (5-7)

EKOS Research Associates

Contact Information

Neighbourhoods Alive! 2-406 Edmonton Street, Winnipeg MB R3B 2M2

Ph: (204) 945-3379 Email: nalive@gov.mb.ca www.neighbourhoodsalive.mb.ca

Daniel McIntyre/St. Matthews Community Association823 Ellice Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3G 0C3

Ph: (204) 772-0706 Email: dmsmwinnipeg@gmail.com www.dmsmca.ca

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