Status of Women Canada
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Status of Women Canada

www.swc-cfc.gc.ca

Blueprint Projects

Theme 3: Increasing Women's Involvement as Decision-Makers in Community-Based Organizations

Project Goal

To enhance the participation of women as leaders and decision-makers in community-based organizations.

Project Objectives

  1. To enable women to develop the knowledge, skills and experience they require to take on greater decision-making and leadership roles in community-based organizations.

  2. To support mentors involved with advisory groups, community organizations and their boards, etc., to work with colleagues/decision-makers in creating work environments that are inclusive of diverse women (support the recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse women).

Description

This 24-month project will develop innovative mentorship models and supports to increase women's involvement as leaders and decision-makers in community-based organizations. A key component will be to prepare women already in leadership positions in community-based organizations to serve as mentors to those with little or no experience of civic engagement, and wherever possible, to involve them as leaders in their own community-based organizations. Results will be shared with other organizations and target populations across Canada.

Funding Available

Up to $200,000 for a 24-month project.

Key Activities

  1. Plan project and adapt to target population needs.
    • Conduct a gender-based analysis and needs assessment to identify barriers to women's participation in community-based organizations.
    • Identify and consult potential allies or project partners.

  2. Develop/adapt innovative mentorship models and supports (programs, resources, policies, models and/or strategies) to address the identified issues. For example,
    • training programs to prepare women for greater decision-making and leadership roles in community-based organizations.
    • supports and resources for community-based organizations to create work environments that enhance the recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse women.

  3. Delivery and implementation.
    • Work with women to deliver resources and actions that promote greater decision-making and leadership roles in community-based organizations.
    • Prepare women in leadership positions to serve as mentors to those with little or no experience in civic participation.
    • Work with mentors to involve colleagues in supporting women's leadership in their own organizations.
    • Pilot tools and approaches to ensure their effectiveness.
    • Network and engage with allies and other organizations.

  4. Evaluate the project 

  5. Share results

Planned Results

  • Project participants can better identify and understand barriers to women's participation as leaders and decision-makers in community-based organizations.
  • Mentors are working within their organizations to identify barriers to women's participation of women as leaders and decision-makers. 
  • Select employers/decision-makers have increased awareness of the issues and challenges related to women's participation as leaders and decision-makers.
  • Project participants have demonstrated leadership and decision-making knowledge and skills.

Longer-Term Results (after project's end)

  • Mentors are actively engaging colleagues to increase women's participation as leaders and decision-makers in community-based organizations. 
  • Select organizations have undertaken strategic actions to promote women as leaders and decision-makers. 
  • Project participants are integrated into decision-making bodies of community-based organizations.

Project Deliverables (after approval)

  • Month 4 – Detailed work plan and budget, list of project allies and partners, results management framework, evaluation plan.
  • Month 12 – Interim report and strategy to share knowledge.
  • Month 24 – Final report and evaluation.

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Date Modified:
2011-02-01