Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation

The Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (Francais: Fondation Canadienne pour la Revitalisation Rurale) was established in 1989 to contribute to the revitalization and sustainability of rural Canada through collaborative research for rural leaders in the community, private sector, and in all levels of government. It works to create credible insights and to improve understanding of issues and opportunities that are of common interest to rural residents across Canada. Knowledge and better understanding are the fundamental pillars for the welfare of rural communities and environments.

The foundation is an organization with members from across Canada, with diverse international links, representing rural leaders, rural organizations, development practitioners, government policy makers, researchers, students, and other stakeholders interested in the future of rural Canada. It explores a diversity of issues, including rural health and social provision, local and regional economies, local government and community governance, education, organization development, environmental management and stewardship, and many others facets of life and livelihood in rural Canada. Each year it co-hosts a national conference to share lessons learned, research findings, and discuss key rural issues. In addition to the national conference, it hosts and participates in workshops, forums, and symposia to advance rural issues in Canada.

Originally known as the Agricultural and Rural Restructuring Group), it is a national nonprofit society chartered in the Province of Alberta and a federally registered charity.

It addresses:

• the need for jobs and wealth generating activities.
• the need for institutional flexibility within the private sector, and within social and governing organizations in rural Canada.
• the need for urban and rural people to help each other find ethical environmental and economic solutions to the problems of sustainability and rural dependence.
• the need for continuing learning to enable rural populations to participate actively in the economic life of their country.