What is the CDE Program?

The Community Development Education (CDE) program is organized according to a place-based learning paradigm and is guided by adult education principles. The CDE program is a culturally responsive approach to community development in BC, providing vital peer learning and skills development opportunities to community leaders who are interested in using research, policy, planning and action to advance social, economic and environmental justice in BC. The services offered through the CDE program generally include: workshop and/or dialogue design, facilitation and/or training, curriculum resources and reporting.

SPARC BC’s CDE program has been co-delivered in over fifty communities in rural and Northern BC and has involved the participation of over 600 hundred government agencies, First Nations, businesses and non-profit organizations.

In the 2009/2010 fiscal year, the CDE program was delivered in the following communities: Campbell River, Castlegar, Chetwynd, Courtney, Cranbrook, Nelson, Rossland and Terrace. Similar to previous years, the evaluation results for these learning initiatives demonstrate that the participatory approach taken by SPARC BC to co-design and co-deliver community development education in BC is very relevant to the unique goals of each community engaged in the CDE program.

We have ten workshop frameworks from which to choose, with these programs being tailored to meet the specific needs or interests of your community. The workshops are free or low-cost and are available to rural and Northern BC Communities (under 25,000 population).

Non-profit organizations, community-based groups, First Nations and local governments are welcome to apply to the CDE program provided they meet the following criteria:

• Are located in rural, remote and/or northern region of BC
• Have a population of less than 25,000
• Demonstrate support or partnership within the community (including coordination to avoid multiple applications from the same community)
• Demonstrate local need for the learning event
• Articulate anticipated outcomes for a learning event in their community

For more information, contact Scott Graham at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or read about how to apply.