Collective Impact is a commitment of a group of important actors from different sectors to a common agenda for solving a specific social problem.

- John Kania/Mark Kramer - Stanford Social Innovation Review

There is no shortage of examples of collaboration in the social sector. Networks, partnerships and other forms of working together have always existed. Collective Impact distinguishes itself by the degree to which joint efforts are connected, aligned and organized. The approach involves a centralized infrastructure, dedicated staff resources and a structured approach to working together that leads to a common agenda, shared measurement, continuous communication and mutually reinforcing activities among all participants

Context

Over the past 15 years, many local actors have come together to address food system concerns. This has included looking at the sustainability and viability of food production, the ability of all people to have access to healthy food, as well as the role that food plays in our culture and our overall community well-being. We recognize that the global food system has many downsides, here and around the world, and know we can do better. CRFAIR was formed in 1997 as a roundtable of organizations to work together to promote a more vibrant, sustainable and localized food system that is accessible to all members of the community. In 2008, a Regional Food Charter and a Food and Health Action plan were developed. Since that time, many of our local governments have embedded food and agriculture considerations into their policy and planning and we are close to completing a Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy. In 2011, in an effort to act more strategically, we created a Regional Food Security Roadmap. We also adopted a framework called Collective Impact to establish long term goals and devise strategies to align regional efforts behind. We also created a system to measure our progress and CRFAIR was named by the community to support this process. This work has continued through many forums, working groups and discussions across the region involving hundreds of people.

Current Status

Over the past few years, three “Impact Areas” have emerged as the focal points for coordinating action: The Local Food Economy, Food Access and Health, and Food Literacy. These areas are not standalone but integrally interrelated. The strategies and outcomes described below are works-in-progress that we will continue to refine together. You will notice some strategies support more than one area and these are key ones we are mobilizing around. To learn more about our Collective Impact work, check out the Good Food Strategy and the Good Food Network. 

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CRFAIR promotes healthy and sustainable food systems.  This considers our relationships with each other, and the land and waters of this region.  We endeavour to honour the land and its treaties by strengthening our relationship and responsibilities to them. We live and work on unceded Coast Salish Territories*, specifically of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations here in the core area, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations {W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱,(Tsawout) W̱SIKEM (Tseycum)} out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, to the west Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, and Pacheedaht, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) Nations.

The presence of settlers (non-Indigenous peoples who live on these lands) is not neutral; it has had and continues to have devastating impacts on many aspects of life for Indigenous peoples. Many of our practices, including the seeds we plant, the ways we educate, and our methods of growing food came to these lands through the ongoing process of colonialism. Settler colonialism has suppressed local well-being by harming Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ food systems, whether they be land-based or of the sky and sea. We hold this understanding in our interactions and engagements with this land and its people. 

There is important work being done by many nations and allies to ensure the continued thriving of these food systems, communities, and knowledge systems. Those of us who are settlers need to recognize that our knowledge and way of doing things may not be the priority as we work towards food security for everyone in this region.

* The term Coast Salish is used to encompass a number of Indigenous peoples, including Esquimalt, Hul’qumi’num, Klahoose, Lekwungen, MALAXEt, Musqueam, OStlq’emeylem, Pentlatch, Scia’new (Beecher Bay), Sliammon, Shishalh, Skxwú7mesh-ulh Úxwumixw, Stó:lo, Straits, Tsleil-Waututh, T’Sou-ke, W̱SÁNEĆ, and Xwemalhkwu.