Knowledge and Capacity Building

We recognize a collective need to move forward on emergent regional issues through education, identification and planning. Regional priorities, such as housing, are complex with a wide range of needs depending on community and demographics. To identify and address these emergent issues we require strategies which combine resources, knowledge and capacity through shared learning, planning and implementation.

The ACHN has adopted a firm philosophy of ‘Networking the Networks’ to support the work being done by community collectives, organizations and communities in the region. To better reflect this in our new strategic plan the ACHN has identified Knowledge and Capacity Building as a priority to define the way in which we support existing networks and initiatives aimed at addressing emergent issues and capacity building activities in our region. This priority reflects the way in which the network interacts with community stakeholders in order to take shared action on emergent issues which are impacting the health and well being in regional communities.

What we have done, where we are going

Past Projects

Leading up to our 2018 strategic plan community stakeholders often approached the ACHN to support projects which aligned with the Networks regional mission to promote health. While complete lists of projects supported can be found in our annual reports some recent highlights have been:

  • Support to the Alberni Army of Problem Solvers community group to bring in Shaun Loney  to speak in the Alberni Valley- watch the YouTube video
  • Support to the ACRD Agriculture Committee for the 2017 West Coast Growers Guide
  • Co-sponsorship of the West Coast 2017 Art of Hosting workshop which increased local capacity to facilitate community conversations

Regional Housing

Housing and homelessness are areas of concern across the region and intersect with ACHN priority areas of Community Connectedness, Prosperity Building and overall health promotion. Each community in the region has individual needs and challenges as well as some inspiring groups and projects which have brought capacity to the issue. While we support efforts through participation and partnership there remains a need for the region to come together to increase dialog, partnerships and capacity and develop a shared venue to bring issues forward to higher levels of government. Responding to this need the ACHN has taken a convening role with local community leaders and planners to initiate and support regional dialog. Read a bit more about our first meeting – June 14th Regional Housing Discussion.

Emergent Issues

The ACHN aims to promote and act to increase regional health by examining, convening and supporting work around complex issues relating to the social determinants of health. Complex social issues and the social determinants of health cover a vast array of topics and activities, as such we as a Network have made a commitment to utilizing our capacity and influence to support emergent issues in the region. Ensuring the evolution of projects and the path to health can be easily defined an supported. We welcome communities, community groups and members to attend, present or submit items to add to the discussion!

Get in touch with the ACHN Coordinator to know more.