The Long Road between Small Towns: Barriers to Building Community

Development Partnerships in Rural BC

Laura Ryser and Greg Halseth

OBAC Region

Outline

• Rural restructuring

• Partnership issues

• Methodology

• Network gaps

• Barriers to developing partnerships

• Policy implications

Rural Restructuring

• Began in 1980s

• More responsibilities downloaded to local governments

• More calls for local gov’t staff to form strategic partnerships

• Partnerships critical to strengthen local and regional capacities

Partnerships Issues

Partnerships increasingly important to:– pool resources and obtain expertise– address complex problems

Defining partnerships:– Compatible goals– Shared risk / accountability– Clear management structures

Equally involved in decision-making and governance– Financial contribution ≠ partnership– Even distribution of resources, responsibilities,

and benefits

Building Partnerships

• Partnerships built through:

– Social cohesion• Opportunities for interaction• Developing well-worn paths

– Social capital• Trust / confidence• Networks of support, information, and

resources

Partnership Challenges

Infrastructure• Isolation and limited communication

infrastructure

Human Resources• Limited staff and time• Partnership activities not incorporated into job

roles and expectations• Limited leadership• Lack of succession planning strategies

OBAC Region

Methodology

Questions:• To assess routine interaction

– Gov’t, First Nations, economic development, and community groups

• To identify network / partnership activities• To assess trust amongst networks

Analysis:• Responses coded / categorized to identify

patterns and themes.

Routine Interaction

• Routine interaction with:– Neighbouring local / regional district

gov’ts– MLAs / Ministry of Community Services– Leading employer– Education / health care groups– Voluntary groups– Media

• Limited / no interaction with:– First Nations band council / tribal council– Economic alliances– Industrial associations

Activities I

General Support• Advice and support• Sharing information

– Discuss common issues– Updates

• Research and training• Funding

– Understand funding processes

Activities II

Targeted Support• Regulation and policy development

– Developing by-laws• Physical and social Infrastructure

– Joint regional infrastructure• Economic development initiatives

– Regional development initiatives– Tourism strategies– Employment transition programs

Developing Trust I

Sharing Resources• Human resources

– Access to staff support / free labour– Board participation

• Funding– Provide financial support / donations– Assist with fundraising

• Infrastructure– Shared space / equipment

Developing Trust II

Operations• Advice and support• Ability to follow through

– Competent, committed staff– Completed tasks / projects

• Shared responsibilities– To deliver services

• Communications– Time made for discussion– Quick responses to requests

Barriers to Building Partnerships I

Resources• Lack of human resources

– Out-migration of professionals / skilled labour

– Lack of skills / capacity– Fewer leaders– Recruitment / retention issues– Inactive groups

• Funding– Difficulty receiving timely funding– Lack of long-term funding programs

Barriers to Building Partnerships II

Operations• Slow processes• Inability to follow through

– Limited availability– No attendance at meetings– Job tasks not completed

• Lack of communication– Slow responses– Information / plans are not shared

Barriers to Building Partnerships III

Power• Lack of influence• Decisions not made locally• Lack of political will to support initiatives

Policy Implications I

Human Resources

• Support training programs

• Encourage succession planning strategies

• Support institutional learning habits

Meetings and Personal Contact

• Support more opportunities for formal and informal interaction

Policy Implications II

Innovation• Support / share success stories of innovation

– Regional economic development officerFunding• Need long-term funding programs• Special funding to acquire more staff• Promote funding opportunities to local

groups• Common sense funding applications and

reporting procedures• Flexible funding programs

Policy Implications III

Relationships with First Nations• More communication with band and tribal

councils• Support First Nations liaison positions• Encourage local groups to attend First

Nations meetings• Arrange transportation for First Nations

representatives• Support including First Nations

representatives in local and regional endeavours

Community Development Institute

(CDI)

3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada

V2N 4Z9http://www.unbc.ca/cdi

Dr. Greg Halseth, Acting Director Phone: (250) 960 - 5826Fax: (250) 960 - 6533Email: halseth@unbc.ca