Last night, Council approved the Council Innovation Fund application for the Greater Forest Lawn Governance and Communications Model sponsored by Councillor Carra.

A primary element of Councillor Carra’s Great Neighbourhoods strategy is focused on working together with residents, community groups, local institutions, businesses, and non profit organizations to build capacity, increase resiliency, and provide better opportunities for collaboration and integration. This involves growing social cohesion as a key component that supports vibrant, safe, and active neighbourhoods.

The Greater Forest Lawn Governance and Communications Model will specifically focus on piloting a new, multi-community leadership strategy, integrating more effective methods of communication with our residents, and considering how residents in the Greater Forest Lawn communities can better participate in planning and decision making that influences City development projects in their neighbourhoods.

In previous years, the Community Representation Framework Task Force identified five priorities and result areas to guide their work. Of these priorities, the Greater Forest Lawn Governance and Communications Model specifically addresses the following:

Priority 1: Increasing participation and diversity
Priority 2: Building trust and respect between community members
Priority 3: Raise the capacity of citizens and organized community groups
Priority 5: Support the evolving role and needs of community associations

Additionally, this project also supports the following City of Calgary’s Council Priorities:

A Prosperous City: Supporting the City of Calgary and Calgary as a whole to continue to attract diverse talent, build resiliency and act as a place where there is opportunity for all.
A City of Safe and Inspiring Neighbourhoods: Supporting the realization of safe, mixed, and inclusive neighbourhoods, that all citizens have the right and opportunity to participate in civic life. All neighbourhoods are desirable and have equitable public investments. City strategies that support this citizen priority also include:
- Working with residents to help them increase their community connections and participate in civic life
- Providing residents and organized community groups a gateway to the resources they need to contribute meaningfully to their neighbourhoods

This project will roll out in two phases:

Phase 1: Multi-Community Governance Model
- A pilot project led by an expert in local governance and community development and all community members to create a Terms of Reference and community governance model.
Phase 2: Communications Model
- Utilizing the Phase 1 community governance model to facilitate effective communication and engagement with the residents and local leadership in Great Forest Lawn which will ensure meaningful interaction and equitable representation of its citizens.

In the new year, we look forward to communicating updates on how this project evolves!