Community Capacity Building program earns national recognition

The Community Capacity Building Certificate has been nationally recognized by the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE) for program excellence. It received the 2023 award in the category of “Non-Credit Programming Over 48 Hours,” given annually by CAUCE to one university continuing education program in Canada.

Offered in its current iteration since 2021, the Community Capacity Building program has now supported nearly 200 participants who engage in community-based work across B.C and beyond. The program provides six months of tuition-free learning, in areas including relationship building, community organizing, fundraising, healing and decolonizing practices. Learners benefit from guidance and mentoring by experienced facilitators and guest instructors, as well as cultural support from an Indigenous Elder.

The program also offers each participant an opportunity to plan and implement a real-world project that will serve their community. Past projects have included a support network for people with and without disabilities, a festival planned in collaboration with Tsleil-Waututh Nation leaders, and creative workshops for African-Canadian communities facing social isolation during the pandemic.

“We’re incredibly proud to have supported so many innovative community leaders as they work to create transformative and positive change within their communities,” says Shanthi Besso, director of Leadership and Community Building Programs at SFU Continuing Studies. “And we’re grateful to CAUCE for recognizing the work we’ve been doing to ensure our program continues to meet the needs of community members.”