Community Economic Development: A Viable Solution for COVID-19 Recovery

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many of the weaknesses in our social and economic systems, exacerbating some of these challenges and drawing attention to others as we, collectively, find a way forward that results in a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future for all. Around the world, community economic development (CED) initiatives already foster inclusive economic revitalization, access to capital for business development, local ownership of resources, job creation, poverty reduction, and environmental stewardship. At a larger scale, CED can provide the foundation for COVID-19 re-covery. This article outlines key policy proposals for CED-based recovery in Canada and elsewhere. Through the lens of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, intersectionality, and a just transition to a low-carbon future, the Canadian Community Economic Development Network proposes the implementation of a national social innovation and social finance strategy and other complementary proposals for a post-COVID-19 world. © 2020, University of Alberta Library. All rights reserved.