The “Rural Voices Network” (RVN) will involve a broad consultation with rural community members, organizations, and municipalities of Ontario to identify the barriers to civic engagement. RVN Objectives:
1. Identify the barriers to civic engagement through the voice of rural community members.
2. Examine these barriers by facilitating communication and collaboration between rural communities across Ontario. The Rural Voices Network is driven by the mandate to give rural citizens a space to have their voices heard, and to collaborate with charitable organizations and leaders in all levels of governance. What are the expected results? The project report and recommendations that emerge from these activities will enhance the work of rural volunteer organizations, and represent the voices of rural citizens.
• Improve understanding of issues and needs as they relate to civic engagement by members in rural communities.
• Enhance the capacity of the rural volunteer sector to collaborate and network.
• Improve understanding of the technological divide between rural and urban communities.
• Identify ‘viable’ frameworks to increase rural civic engagement. The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has approved a $140,200 grant to the FWIO to commission the RVN project.
