Community-Based Learning Opportunities, Winner, 2006: Tamarack, An Institute for Community Engagement

Tamarack is a national charitable institute that helps Canadian communities take ownership of their local issues and develop collaborative solutions. It works closely with local organizations to promote community-building and to advance the socio-economic agenda of a region. For these efforts, it won the Community-Based Learning Opportunities award in 2006. This case study—part of the Education and Learning series examining outstanding programs and initiatives—shows how Tamarack uses technology in innovative ways to advance the communities’ agenda in Canada. In particular, the case study discusses Tamarack’s signature project, Vibrant Communities, which connects 15 communities from British Columbia to Newfoundland in a collective effort to reduce poverty in Canada. At the heart of Vibrant Communities is the Pan-Canadian Learning Community, a virtual network of communities, policy-makers and funders. To date, the Vibrant Communities initiative has affected more than 16,000 people in their efforts to overcome poverty.