In this newsletter:
- Registration is open for our next virtual event in the “Local Sustainable Economies” series! Join us for an exciting discussion on “A Green Economy Hub: the multiple benefits for our region.”
- Questions for Municipal Candidates by Jack Vanderkooy. Read the entire article here.
- Register to attend the Third Annual UN Habitat in Towns- Collingwood World Summit.
- Missed our talk on Triple Bottom-Line business in the region? Check out the recording here!
GREEN ECONOMY
Local Sustainable Economies
A 6-part regional online discussion series – June-December, 2022
Thanks to many of you for your input and help, we are excited to be presenting three more events in the Local Sustainable Economies this fall!
Join us on Wednesday, October 19th for Part 4 in the series:
A Green Economy Hub! The multiple benefits for our region
This online discussion will build on our 2021 sustainability events and the outcomes we are looking for in our region as we transition to a low-carbon future. It will highlight the growth of Green Economy Hubs across the country, unpack the success of Peterborough’s Green-Up hub as part of fulsome community-driven action, and feature business leaders who see great value in the growing green economy.
Registration for this free, virtual event is open NOW!
Before our event on October 19th, we welcome you to explore what it takes to start a Green Economy Hub here.
SOCIAL FINANCE AND HOUSING
Questions for Municipal Candidates:
Affordable Housing – what are the collaborative solutions to ensure that no one has to spend more than 30% of pre-tax household income for safe, secure, and adequate housing?
By Jack Vanderkooy, Chair, Habitat for Humanity SGB; member of Collingwood Affordable Housing Task Force and Institute Social Finance & Housing Group
In its work on promoting sustainable communities, the Institute of Southern Georgian Bay convenes a learning group on Social Finance & Housing with the goal of educating ourselves and our communities on how all sectors can collaborate on solutions to the shortage of affordable housing.
We are collaborating with Social Innovation Canada to provide tools for smaller municipalities to address this issue. The fact that affordable housing is a key election issue this year is well known. Informed by our own learning, we have prepared questions for you to use with candidates in the upcoming municipal election.
These questions are meant to identify which candidates have a good understanding of the issues and potential solutions and are willing to commit to new workable collaborations, which can be implemented in a timely fashion.
Subscribers to the Institute’s newsletter are encouraged to share these questions with their local candidates, so everyone can make informed decisions when voting on or before October 24th.
Questions:
- What immediate plan do you have to address the lack of affordable housing in our community?
- What do you see as the major barriers in our community to creating more affordable housing?
- Do you know how many units of affordable housing our community needs to meet the demand to ensure all its residents have equitable and fair access to safe housing?
Read more here.
Third Annual UN Habitat in Towns – Collingwood World Summit
What is it and how can you participate?
The Collingwood World Summit (CWS) is an event that aims to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in towns and small cities.
The Town of Collingwood, in partnership with the Urban Economy Forum and UN-Habitat, is hosting the 3rd annual Collingwood World Summit (CWS3) where town leaders, public and private sector partners, urban activists, financial institutions, academics, and civil society will gather to exchange and share best practices pertaining to sustainable development and the advancement of the 2030 Agenda.
WHERE AND WHEN?
CWS3 will be held virtually on Monday, October 31 & Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
MAIN THEME:
Sustainable Housing and Finance
The theme of this year’s summit is to gain an understanding on how sustainable housing and finance can be a catalyst to achieve the SDGs at the scale of towns and small cities. Sustainable housing is an effective strategy to improve the environmental, social, and economic outcomes for towns, small cities, and Indigenous communities to achieve SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities).
REGISTRATION:
Register here to join this event virtually on October the 31st & November the 1st, 2022.
For the most up to date news on #CWS3, please follow the Urban Economy Forum on social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES
Triple Bottom-Line Business is SGB
There is a growing number of entrepreneurs who are creating new enterprises, or evolving existing ones, to align purpose, values, and profit. At our virtual event on September 21st, speakers highlighted the vibrant Social Enterprise landscape across our region. They also shared their insights as to why more businesses are wanting to be socially and environmentally impactful and what the benefits are for our communities. Missed the live event and want to learn more? Check out the recording here!