UNBC will be working collaboratively with three leading post-secondary schools to establish the B.C. Collaborative for Social Infrastructure.

This ground-breaking initiative will strengthen communities through social infrastructure development.

Photo Credit: UNBC

UNBC will be working alongside Simon Fraser University, The British Colombia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Vancouver Island University (VIC) to develop this project.

According to UNBC, this project will enable institutions to use their collective strengths to make a sustainable impact in communities.

The collaboration will focus on the following areas:

• Green and sustainable campus and community building
• Indigenous entrepreneurship and social finance
• Social procurement
• Library outreach and community scholar programs

Photo Credit: UNBC

"The McConnell Foundation has supported innovation in post-secondary institutions for the past 25 years through such initiatives as the introduction of community service learning. We're pleased to build on this work through our engagement with the B.C. Collaborative for Social Infrastructure," says Stephen Huddart, President and CEO of the McConnell Foundation.

"Helping build social infrastructure is a way for universities and colleges to contribute to social and environmental resilience and sustainability while deepening relationships with their local communities." 

The four universities plan on creating a community of practice that can be shared and applied to other post-secondary institutions across Canada.

Support for the project will be provided by the McConnell Family Foundation.