One Hundred Cities. One Goal. Reduce Poverty.

What is poverty?

Defining the Issue United StatesCanada Poverty reduction addressed in federal law Poverty defined at federal level No federal law addressing poverty No official definition of poverty Federal Poverty Guidelines Measures absolute need Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) Measures relative inequality $11,170 for one person (2012)Ranges from $16,038 (rural) - $23,298 (urban) for one person (2011) 15.1% (2010)9.6% (2009)

Underlying Paradigms United StatesCanada Poverty is about a lack of self- sufficiency, caused by low income Poverty is about social exclusion, caused by low income People should strive to be independent of government assistance It is the responsibility of government to ensure the well-being of all citizens Core ideological paradigm is individual responsibility Core ideological paradigm is the social contract We are successful if we help people become self-sufficient We are successful if we build communities where all people have the resources to fully participate

Why Vibrant Communities?

The Impetus

History of Vibrant Communities

Vibrant Communities An experiment designed to test a specific way to address the complex realities of poverty through local level action. Theory of Change: Guided by 5 principles & assisted by extra supports provided by national sponsors – local organizations and leaders can revitalize poverty reduction efforts in their communities and generate significantly improved outcomes.

What are the elements of Vibrant Communities?

The Complex Nature of Poverty “ Poverty is a complex issue. There is no single cause and no one solution. Its successful reduction, and ideally its eradication, require a set of linked interventions undertaken by all orders of government working in collaboration with communities.” Poverty Policy Sherri Torjman, Caledon Institute of Social Policy October 2008

Vibrant Communities Partners Business Credibility and voice, connections, funding and other resources Nonprofit Organizations Experience on the ground, service delivery, ability to ramp up change efforts Government Connections to elected officials, funding and other resources, policy change Citizens with Lived Experience Expertise about the issues, practical and relevant solution, connections to other citizens

Part One – Exploring Principles The Communities

What is the Impact? Increased Community Engagement Enhanced Community Innovation Policy and Systems Change Decreased Poverty

Personal Assets Physical Assets Social Assets Human Assets Financial Assets Inner resources Self-awareness Self-esteem and self- confidence Hope and motivation Basic material goods and services Emergency supports Food Housing Transportation Dependent care Relationships and Networks Civic participation Support networks Income, Savings and Sources of Financial Security Employment income Non-employment income Savings and financial assets Reduced debt/costs Skills, knowledge, education & health Health Life skills Financial literacy Education Employment Skills Sustainable Livelihoods Approach – Assets Pentagon

What have we learned?

Using a comprehensive, multi-sector approach communities can … 1.Raise the profile of poverty. 2.Build a constituency for change. 3.Encourage collaborative ways of working. 4.Begin to shift systems underlying poverty. 5.Generate changes for a large number of people living in poverty.

VC Success Factors Influential and credible convener(s) Cross-sector, connected leadership table Challenging community aspiration Clearly articulated purpose and approach High degree of resident mobilization Research which informs the work

Cities Reducing Poverty – 6 Case Studies Get both a bird’s eye and worm’s eye view Learn to navigate the local context Learn by doing Make both vertical and horizontal connections Be persistent and have appropriate expectations Cities Reducing Poverty Tamarack, October Get both a bird’s eye and worm’s eye view Learn to navigate the local context Learn by doing Make both vertical and horizontal connections Be persistent and have appropriate expectations Cities Reducing Poverty Tamarack, October 2011.

Comprehensive Strategies StrategyAdvantagesLimitationsEnabling Conditions Thousand Seeds Addresses multiple factors Mobilizes broad support Scale of activities overwhelming Difficult to ensure synergies Constellation governance Pool Ball Easy to manage Quick results Weak effects Ripple effects not always known Focus on high leverage cause and effects WeavingAddresses a network of cause and effects May not impact a large number of people Learn by doing approach HybridWeaves together and leverages all three strategies Difficult to manage and sustain Clear framework for change Strong leadership

Now…What’s Next?

The Landscape has Changed Municipally: 84 collaborative poverty reduction roundtables have connected to Vibrant Communities Provincially: 11 provinces and territories have or are developing poverty reduction strategies Federally: A new all-party Roundtable has been formed to focus on poverty, the Government of Canada – HUMA committee, Senate Roundtable on Cities and Federation of Canadian Municipalities have identified poverty as a critical issue

Our Aspiration: Imagine…100 cities reducing poverty TOGETHER

Vision: To create Vibrant Communities by significantly reducing the human, social and economic costs of poverty for Canadian cities. Mission: We will create a connected learning community of 100 Canadian cities with multi-sector roundtables addressing poverty reduction. Goal: We envision aligned poverty reduction strategies in cities, provinces and the federal government resulting in reduced poverty for 1 million Canadians.

Cities Reducing Poverty – Learning Community Priority Actions: Learning Community Development City Charter and Business Case Aligned Policy Agenda Poverty Summit Common Evaluation Framework

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