- Funding support by HRDC should include providing communities with
resources to undertake a reasonably sophisticated community and citizen
needs assessments. To be successful, any development strategy, whether
addressing the access divide, literacy and skills training, or other
forms of capacity development, should be founded on a needs assessment
that considers a community’s particular economic and social circumstances,
and its citizens’ abilities, challenges and opportunities. While
many communities across Canada face similar obstacles and challenges,
the opportunities and capacities for individuals and communities to
respond to these vary greatly, depending on the their social and economic
contexts.
- There is a need for ongoing support for community organizations that
provide access, skills, training, content development and related services
to the public. This support should be separate from that provided for
computers, access sites, networking and other ICTrelated activities
through the CAP and CLN programs. The ability to provide a range of
services to the community, and to do so in an integrated way with other
organizations, is contingent on the capabilities and resources of the
organization. These include staff time, training, adequate general resources,
and establishing realistic expectations on the part of administration,
staff, volunteers and clients. Without proper resources and a needs-based
approach, there is a risk that the services provided will be inappropriate
and the intended beneficiaries of the programs, particularly equity
groups, may become even more marginalized. This type of community level
divide already exists across Canada. A critical factor in success is
an ongoing support, both financial and other forms, for community organizations
that provide the services. Support should be provided by a number of
sponsors, including the federal and provincial governments, as well
as other community level sponsors.
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