Emerging social enterprise ecosystem in St. John's

Social entrepreneurship plays a role in driving innovation and economic growth by addressing societal challenges and creating new economic opportunities. St. John’s is becoming a thriving ecosystem for social enterprises, with key organizations focused on supporting and encouraging growth in the sector. This year November 16th is Social Enterprise Day, a day to raise awareness of social enterprises. To celebrate the day, Memorial University’s Centre for Social Enterprise (CSE) is hosting a Social Enterprise Fair November 16 at the University Centre between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

CSE has established itself as a hub of social enterprise expertise and activity with a wide network of collaborators and partners both within Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond. The CSE is an essential support to Memorial's MBA in social enterprise and entrepreneurship, the first MBA program in Canada purposefully designed to prepare students to become a new kind of leader for a new way of doing business – one that is based on the three pillars of sustainability: people, planet and profits. CSE recently opened the Social Changemaker Space, providing an inspirational location for student innovators and community leaders to collaborate. The space also houses the Social Ventures Incubator and co-working space.

There are several social enterprises in St. John’s from those that are long standing and diversified as well as those that are newer with a niche.  

Choices for Youth, a youth-focused, non-profit, charitable organization that operates programs and social enterprises to help vulnerable youth, have announced their plans for a new Social Enterprise Hub on Lemarchant Road. The facility will be converted into a training school as well as a retail space. Social enterprises operated by Choices have employed 78 youth, created 43,035 hours of youth employment and generated $630,000 in revenue.

Stella’s Circle, a St. John's organization that helps adults remove barriers to participating in their community, operate four social enterprises in St. John’s. One of their most well-known operations, Hungry Heart Café, provides culinary training and a supported employment program. In 2021-22 fiscal year, 43 people were employed across all their social enterprises and 20 more people transitioned to the competitive job market. 

The St. John’s Tool Library is a newer social enterprise that operates on a Membership model, lending tools to people who want to create, make, build, and grow a project. The St. John’s Tool Library has become a hub of the Do It Yourself (DIY) community for those at all levels of experience, from veteran DYIers to someone working on a first project. Visit stjohnstoollibrary.ca or stop by during their open hours to learn more.

Social enterprises, not-for-profits, charities and co‑operatives are key contributors to the economy in St. John’s and Atlantic Canada. They are at the forefront of tackling Canada’s persistent social, environmental and economic challenges and create a positive space for the communities they serve.

Applications open for City’s Community Grants 

Annually, the City of St. John’s provides funding for important projects through a variety of grant programs. Applications are now being accepted for the Community Grants program, which provides financial assistance to organizations and individuals whose applications align with the City’s strategic directions. Over $1.7 million in funding is available in the following categories: Arts Organizations, Community Groups & Organizations, Special Events & Festivals, Sporting Groups & Organizations, and Individual Artists. The deadline to apply and submit required attachments for Community and Capital Grants is November 24 at 4 pm.

Tech is making waves in Newfoundland and Labrador

TechNL, a not-for-profit industry association representing the technology and innovation sector, launched a new campaign Tech is Making Waves in Newfoundland and Labrador. The campaign highlights some of the people powering our province’s dynamic, diverse tech community. To learn more, visit findyourfuturenl.ca.      

Hiring and retaining foreign talent in St. John's

On Tuesday, November 28^th from 9am – 11am Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada is inviting employers to gather for an information session at City Hall to provide information on how hiring foreign talent can help address labour shortages in your business. The event is hosted in partnership with Newfoundland & Labrador’s Department of Immigration, Population Growth, and Skills (IPGS) along with the City of St. John’s. The Association for New Canadians will also be present to offer insight on their settlement services. Topics covered at the event will include: 

• How to hire temporary foreign workers and the work permit process.
• How to hire international students and how to retain them after they graduate.
• Resources to help you find skilled workers faster.
• Permanent residence pathways available to allow workers stay in Canada long-term.

Register at eventbrite.ca.

Carbon capture CCUS Innovation Challenge

In an effort to maximize and accelerate the decarbonization of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore through the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), the government of Newfoundland and Labrador has announced a new CCUS Innovation Challenge. The government is looking for expressions of interest from companies, organizations, and researchers in two areas. It’s making $3 million available to support research and development to advance CCUS (carbon capture, utilization and storage) to decarbonize ongoing offshore oil production, and another $3 million to support feasibility studies into storage of carbon dioxide from further afield (e.g. the rest of Canada or abroad). 

Maclean's magazine says the City of St. John's is one of the best places to visit in Canada right now and we agree! The Great Escapes:10 Places to Visit in Canada Right Now

Photograph by iStock.

Quidi Vidi Village Artisans Studios in St. John's offers premium studio space at affordable rates. Apply today: www.annatempletoncentre.ca. 

Wondering how the future population may look? Did you know the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has published population projections for St. John's metro? Population projections can inform on trends that impact services and business opportunities. View the projections here.

Making connections with community organizations is important to newcomer retention.

The St. John's Local Immigration Partnership and the City of St. John's held another successful My New St. John’s Expo at the St. John’s Community Market. Read the full story.

Congratulations to St. John’s based PolyUnity Tech Inc on being named Company of the Year by CAN Health Network. PolyUnity uses agile manufacturing to make products rapidly for hospitals and was formed four years ago by three Memorial University med students to 3D print medical simulation models. Learn more here.

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