Provincial Government Releases Work Plan to Advance the Social and Economic Contribution of the Community Sector

  • Executive Council

April 16, 2019

The Provincial Government today released The Way Forward with Community: A Sector Work Plan to Advance the Social and Economic Contribution of Community Organizations. The work plan can be viewed here PDF icon.

This joint work plan was developed in close collaboration with community sector partners, led by the Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador (CSC NL) and was informed by more than 275 community representatives who attended consultations in nine regions throughout the province, representing more than 70 communities. A list of those partners can be found in the backgrounder below.

This collaborative, 31-point work plan promotes the sector’s importance to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and takes actions to help the sector achieve its full potential. Realizing this potential includes reaching the following growth targets by 2024:

  • Increasing the number of people employed in the community sector; and
  • Creating high-profile partnerships between the community, public and/or private sectors.

To accomplish these goals, the Provincial Government, the CSC-NL and its partners will undertake important work, including:

  • Examining government funding policies to identify opportunities for enhancing the financial sustainability of community organizations;
  • Evaluating the Provincial Government’s current multi-year funding ‎arrangements, reflecting input from current recipients and engagement with the broader community sector, to inform a transparent process in further expansion of multi-year funding;
  • Piloting a series of regional skills facilitators to support partnership and skills development in the community sector; and
  • Hosting a summit later this year to discuss issues of importance, and facilitate networking and professional development.

The community sector comprises about 3,700 legally incorporated organizations and hundreds of informal groups, which collectively engage close to 200,000 board leaders and volunteers. The community sector supports people and communities and it is central to economic and social progress. The sector supplies approximately 16,000 jobs to the provincial economy.

This is the sixth work plan to be released by the Provincial Government’s Cabinet Committee on Jobs. The Way Forward with Community aims to foster the conditions necessary for vibrant community organizations that contribute to the economic and social fabric of Newfoundland and Labrador. The launch of this sector work plan delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“I can’t overstate how important the community sector is to Newfoundland and Labrador. These organizations, their boards, staff and volunteers provide many critical services and programs that no one else can offer. They also are significant contributors to the economy and the province’s fiscal wellbeing. I thank everyone who has contributed to the development of The Way Forward on Community and I look forward to its implementation.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“This work plan and the support of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is a major step in recognizing and appreciating the importance of the community, non-profit sector and the people who are so dedicated to building our province. Community sector organizations are woven into every facet of our lives; we all benefit every day from their extraordinary contribution. This series of actions will have significant impact. The Community Sector Council NL looks forward to working with our colleagues as we build a stronger and more resilient province. ”
Penelope Rowe
Chief Executive Officer, Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
The Way Forward with Community: A Sector Work Plan to Advance the Social and Economic Contribution of Community Organizations PDF icon

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNLexternal link icon

Media contacts
Erin Sulley
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
erinsulley@gov.nl.ca

Penelope M. Rowe
Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador
709-753-9860, 709-687-1875
pennyrowe@cscnl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Community Sector Partners

The Community Sector Work Plan is a collaborative initiative developed by representatives of:

  • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Government of Canada
  • College of the North Atlantic
  • Memorial University’s Harris Centre
  • Association of Heritage Industries Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Avalon Employment Inc.
  • Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Exploits Community Centre
  • Gros Morne Co-operating Association
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations
  • Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (RDÉE-TNL)
  • Rising Tide Theatre
  • Rotary Centre Corner Brook
  • Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador
  • T.I. Murphy Centre
  • YMCA
2019 04 16 4:30 pm