OEA Community Network
The Community Network was created to provide a virtual space to better connect communities with each other and with government for meaningful, sustained dialogue. It is one part of government’s efforts to engage with and support underrepresented and underserved communities, and was a requirement established in the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act.
As outlined in the Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy released in July 2023, the core functions and intent of the Community Network are outlined below.
- Creating Connections – The Community Network will help facilitate connections between the community, government departments, and organizations throughout the province to converge on emerging issues, exchange promising practices, showcase and cross-promote initiatives, and coordinate resources, events, and programs.
- Information & Supports - The Community Network will serve as a platform for members to access information as well as supports to respond to and help address address systemic hate, inequity, and racism. This includes the Community Network Grant program which provides financial support to community-based organizations for projects.
- Tools & Resources - Network participants will have access to an evolving range of resources, including but not limited to: anti-racism materials, funded capacity building, toolkits, policy support, and training. Network members will also have access to a curated calendar of events and engagement learning opportunities.
The Community Network will employ a strategy that emphasizes serving underserved and underrepresented populations and aims to ensure maximum inclusivity and participation for Nova Scotians. For the purpose of the CN, we are defining underserved and underrepresented groups as follows:
- An underrepresented community refers to a group of people who are not adequately represented or have limited presence or visibility in certain domains or contexts, such as social, political, economic, educational, or cultural spheres. These communities typically experience marginalization, discrimination, or exclusion due to various factors, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
- The term “underserved” implies that the community is not receiving/has not received an adequate level of support or attention from institutions, organizations, or government agencies. This lack of access can manifest in various areas, including health care, education, employment, housing, transportation, and social services.
If you are interested in becoming a Community Network member that contributes to the platform, please fill out the application to the right of this page, and email it to oeaengagement@novascotia.ca.
Please note that this page contains third-party information and links to external websites, which are displayed for general information sharing purposes only. Despite any contrary representations in the Terms of Use, the Government of Nova Scotia does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of this content.
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2024-25 Community Network Grants Awarded
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We are pleased to announce recipients for this year's Community Network Grant. A total of 11 projects and $400,000 has been awarded to projects led by community-based organizations that aim to address systemic hate, inequity and racism. A detailed listed of funded projects is provided below. For more information, please read the associated news release.
Grants have been awarded to the following organizations and projects:
African Nova Scotian Justice Institute – $22,500 to support Black and African Nova Scotians in correctional facilities in accessing culturally relevant legal and community-based resources
Alma Matters Housing Association – $37,800 for a video and podcast series featuring people from different backgrounds having meaningful discussions around their opposing views
BGC Cape Breton – $40,000 to empower underserved youth in Cape Breton through anti-racism education, a new digital platform to connect youth to services and cultural activities such as storytelling and art
Black Wellness Co-Operative – $37,800 to build and improve access to culturally relevant exercise oncology programs in safe and inclusive spaces with a focus on Black Nova Scotians
Health Equity Alliance of Nova Scotia – $39,900 for a five-day event that will offer culturally relevant sexual health education in a supportive environment to leaders of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) communities
Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers – $40,000 for one year of monthly meetings where families of biracial children can share their experiences and support one another
Portapique Market – $27,400 to provide training to staff, volunteers and community members to enhance inclusiveness and cultural sensitivity
Prescott Group Society – $35,700 to create a new accessible and inclusive community hub where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will lead research on how to make the space welcoming
Queer Health Coalition – $40,000 to provide education and training to healthcare professionals on the unique needs of queer, newcomer and women from minority faith-based communities when accessing healthcare services
Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia – $40,000 to build new training opportunities and expand a volunteer program that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees and newcomers
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission – $40,000 to support its work in the Eastern Shore to promote long-term stability and social inclusion for marginalized populations, including people with disabilities; survivors of violence; and people in rural areas
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Disability Support Program accepting applications for Regional Advisory Councils
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Photo by Cliff Booth: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-women-sitting-on-a-couch-chatting-4057864/The Disability Support Program is pleased to invite applications for membership on four new disability regional advisory councils. The application will be open until end of day, March 11, 2025. Regional Advisory Councils play a very important role in improving the lives of Nova Scotians with disabilities. In each of the four regions of the province, the councils ensure space for local voices and local problem solving. They are an important part of the Human Rights Remedy in Nova Scotia.
On 28 June 2023, the Human Rights Board of Inquiry issued an order requiring the province to implement a Remedy for the finding of system discrimination against persons with disabilities by the Province of Nova Scotia. Under the order, the province was directed to create regional advisory councils with access to innovation funds to support community-level change.
Through this application process, a regional advisory council will be established in each of the four regions around the province. These councils will be interim councils for the first year and members will be asked to provide review the draft terms of reference and innovation fund guidelines, propose ways to monitor he progress of the Remedy implementation at the community level, and provide advice on ways to create inclusive communities.
Council membership will reflect the communities it represents and at least half the seats filled by first voice representatives with the remaining seats filled by other interested parties (e.g., family, service providers and/or community leaders).
If you are interested, or know of someone who may be interested in being part of the new regional advisory councils, please apply online at Regional Advisory Council – Application for Membership.
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Survey on employee's perspectives and experiences of psychological safety in the workplace
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Researchers at Saint Mary's University are conducting research on employees' experiences of safety and well-being at work. The information gained from this study will people to better understand what psychological safety means to employees from diverse backgrounds. You can participate in this study by completing this survey: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management.
