LEDlab launches, lays foundation for new DTES collaborations

We’re delighted to officially launch the Local Economic Development Lab, an initiative of Ecotrust Canada and RADIUS SFU. LEDlab partners with community organizations to explore innovative ways to build a more vibrant and inclusive local economy in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

LEDlab is a time-bound, place-based and action-focused initiative. Through it, we will build, test and scale solutions that put money in the pockets of DTES residents; enhance the capacity of individuals, organizations and networks; and disrupt traditional patterns of power and resource use in the community.

Since September 2015, the LEDlab team has been building projects in partnership with the DTES Street Market, Potluck Cafe Society, The Binners' Project, and the Carnegie Community Center - each with a graduate student team member bringing additional capacity to the organization’s efforts. Now we’re ready to tell the world about it, with the launch of our website, newsletter, and the first stories of our efforts.

If you are receiving this newsletter, it is because we have been in touch about the LEDlab in some way in the past six months. Our newsletter will be a monthly digest of our blog stories, news, and research publications. We would love for you to stay involved, and to follow our journey online, as well as joining us offline at community events. 

The Local Economic Development Lab partners with community organizations to explore innovative ways to build a more vibrant and inclusive local economy in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

LEDlab is an initiative of Ecotrust Canada and RADIUS SFU.