Making a Difference Through the Power of Localization – The Rise of the Citizen Sector
Wicked Problems. Let’s face it, most people want to help make our world a better place, but how can we make a difference when the problems seem so much bigger than we are? The definition of “wicked problems” are those that no one person, one organization or even one country can fix alone. We are confronted by climate change, (un)affordable housing, socio-economic inequality, fake news and political polarization all at once, and the list goes on. These problems seem so big, so complex and so dynamic that it can be hard to fathom what difference we can possibly make as individuals.
Taking Local Action to the Next Level. Even for those of us who have committed years to furthering a cause, it can still be hard to tell if we are moving the needle. It is especially deflating if the problem only seems to get worse and not better. For instance, prior to Covid, there were an estimated 700 food banks in the UK. Sadly, this number has ballooned to over 2300 today. But I can assure you all is not lost if we take our volunteerism to a higher level by targeting systemic impact.
Contextualizing Innovation Systems in Canada. In our Canadian system, localization is the missing link. Let’s unpack why this is using climate change as an example.
The UN sets sustainability goals but cannot enforce them.
The Canadian government sets its own sustainability goals and can implement some measures but has limited jurisdiction and can only achieve further localization through transfer payments to provinces.
The provinces then devise their own programs, but fiscal responsibility dictates that it is up to local projects to meet often onerous program objectives to access those funds.
Then it all comes down to municipalities. In Canada, municipalities have a great deal of autonomy, but very little access to sufficient skills and resources.
The Rise of the Citizen Sector. Local governments are the crucial missing link to successfully localizing innovation on the ground in Canada. However, they are ill-equipped to handle multiple systemic crises, all at once. Compare this to European countries where local governments have had a long tradition of partnering with citizen-led think-tanks and local citizen groups to “land” truly innovative projects in their own backyards. Canada would do well to do more of this.
Maya Tse-Cotton is an author and technology strategist passionate about Citizen-led Innovation. She has joined iWIST as an Advisor and looks forward to help catalyze innovation in our own community.