1. “Promoting Community Sustainability:Linking Research and Action”
Presented by: Alison Collins
Project Manager,
York Centre for Applied Sustainability,
York University

2. a Community University Research Alliance (CURA)
Supported by:
Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council of Canada
Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action

3. Project 9: A Toolkit for Governance
Background:
past 2 decades - increased in corporation of sustainability principles into policy instruments and decision-making frameworks of public and private sector institutions
SD as a concept figures prominently in many political vision statements and corporate mission statements
Need to move from pronouncement to practice
HOW?
increase sustainability literacy and understanding
engage decision-makers and the broadest public in a dialogue
identify tools so as to provide a “toolkit” for sustainability
a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action

4. Mission Statement
The focus of the Toolkit for Governance is to identify and report on alternative governance structures and/or mechanisms that incorporate sustainability principles so as to develop a toolkit to inform decision-makers within the municipal government of the City of Toronto
a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action

5. Project Goal:
The ultimate goal of the toolkit for governance is to undertake on-going research and foster dialogue among key stakeholders through regular workshops ad conferences so as to act as a reference group and a catalyst for the development of a Framework Agreement
a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action

6. Research Objectives:
Identify and research the role of key stakeholders
attend, partner or host conferences/workshops concerning alternative governance tools
local, national and international focus
Research sustainability and alternative governance mechanisms in other jurisdictions
identify barriers and safety nets
Identify current framework for decision-making within the city of Toronto and the potential role for/of SD
research, write and present work on governing structures and/or mechanisms at the city of Toronto
what does sustainability mean to the City of Toronto from a governance perspective
Create a Toolkit for Governance
compilation and analysis of past, current and future sustainability governance tools
act as a reference to inform policy and decision-makers within municipal government and beyond
a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action

7. Project Deliverables:
1. A compendium of:
key sustainability stakeholders
conference proceedings
conferences/workshops
2. A report on the role of sustainability in the governance structures and mechanisms - City of Toronto
3. A comprehensive report on best practices of alternative governance mechanisms incorporating sustainability
4. A Toolkit for governance - a broad yet comprehensive reference document for key stakeholders and decision-makers
a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action

8. Expected Outcomes:
Facilitate and foster discourse on and the development of alternative governance structures and/or frameworks employing a sustainability lens
produce a body of research and publications on sustainability governance (including best practices, barriers, safety nets)
produce a body of work on the current reality re governance, sustainability and the City of Toronto
Develop a set of tools by which governments and decision-making bodies can affect better, more sustainable governance
a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action