About The Project Partners:

The National Office of Literacy and Learning Directorate promotes innovative lifelong learning opportunities for Canadians. It facilitates the creation of Community Learning Networks (CLN) that focus on community-based approaches for testing new ways of helping individuals improve their skills using technology to learn. The projects are designed to test flexible ways of improving learner proficiency with computer technology in order to increase their readiness for the labour market.

Website: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/lxt-gxr.shtml

Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI)

Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI) was established in 1986 and is an incorporated, charitable not-for-profit organization operated by a volunteer board of directors, with an executive director and 10 full-time and part-time directors and support staff. SEDI’s mandate is to increase enterprise, self-employment, financial capability and assets and savings development opportunities for lower income Canadians. The organization primarily works with disadvantaged women and men, including persons with disabilities, youth and Aboriginal people. Since 2000, SEDI has conducted significant research into self-employment for persons with disabilities. In its 20-year history SEDI has assisted over 16,000 individuals and micro-enterprises to increase their economic sustainability.

Peter Nares, Executive Director
Website: www.sedi.org

Canadian Association of Business Incubators (CABI)

The Canadian Association of Business Incubation, (CABI) is a vital national organization of member organizations that are dedicated to creating employment and economic activity through the development of enterprises supported by the business incubation industry. Associate members operate small business incubators and are interested in encouraging the incubation of enterprises. The mission of CABI is to: advance the business incubation industry and the success of small business incubators and their clients; foster the interchange of ideas and educational experience; enhance the management activities and career growth of incubator managers and others employed in the field; improve the business climate for the incubator industry and client firms; and, remove the barriers to incubator and business growth. CABI promotes partnerships between the private and public sectors; and, provides specific training and specialized development activities that aid business assistance professionals provide effective programs.

Ed Hobbs, Chair and Chief Executive Officer – Board of Directors
Websites: www.cabi.ca

Ontario Association of Community Future Development Corporations Inc. (OACFDC)

The Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Inc. (OACFDC) is a not-for-profit umbrella organization representing 61 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in rural southern and northern Ontario. The OACFDC has developed a reputation for providing distance-learning opportunities through its e-learning platform that meets the needs of the Associations dispersed members and their clients, and currently provides 100 courses on the online platform. The CFDC members are a unique not-for-profit community development resource, providing advice, information and referral services to local businesses and entrepreneurs, (including persons with disabilities, aboriginal and francophone businesses) as well as access to capital for small businesses, funded by Industry Canada (FedNor).

Diana Jedig, Executive Director
Website: www.oacfdc.com