On October 6, 2026, Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) hosted the 5th Annual Building Inclusive Communities (BIC) Forum at Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre in Edmonton. Organized by AHC’s Community Development Unit (CDU), the forum brought together grassroots organizations, community leaders, partners, and stakeholders for a day of learning, networking, reflection, and dialogue on sustaining community impact and advancing inclusive change.
The 2026 theme, “Sustaining Impact and Scaling Inclusive Change,” marked the next stage in the forum’s five-year journey. Building on previous themes focused on a common vision, shared experiences, action and reflection, and collective impact, this year’s gathering explored how communities can preserve their achievements, strengthen leadership, mobilize resources, and expand successful initiatives while remaining grounded in community priorities.
Recognizing Community Strengths and Resilience
The morning session featured findings from the Integrated Participatory Action Research and BIPOC Grassroots Leadership Capacity-Building Project, presented by Dr. Judie and Dr. Michael Bopp. The research involved 89 participants representing 20 community initiatives and 10 ethnic and cultural communities.
Using a participatory approach, the research recognized community members as knowledge holders, co-researchers, and co-designers. Findings highlighted challenges such as racism, exclusion, employment and credential barriers, housing and financial insecurity, and limited access to culturally responsive services. However, communities also identified significant strengths, including mutual support networks, cultural identity, peer mentorship, intergenerational support, community organizing, and collective action.
The findings reinforced a central message: sustainable community development begins by recognizing and strengthening the leadership, relationships, knowledge, and assets that already exist within communities.
Keynote and Guest Speakers: Building Pathways to Sustainability
Tina Thomas, CEO of the Edmonton Community Foundation, delivered the keynote address, sharing insights on organizational sustainability and long-term impact. She encouraged community organizations to think beyond traditional approaches, maintain clear priorities, recognize when to say no, demonstrate results, trust their expertise, and strengthen both internal organizational capacity and broader systems.
Her message emphasized that sustainability requires strategic focus, accountability, confidence in community knowledge, and a willingness to adapt.
The forum also welcomed Rishia Burke, Co-President of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience in community development and neighbourhood organizing, Burke highlighted the importance of building on existing community assets rather than focusing exclusively on needs and gaps.
Her contribution emphasized resident leadership, strong relationships, local knowledge, partnerships, and community ownership as foundations for lasting change. Together, the speakers reinforced the importance of supporting communities to lead their own development and build on the strengths they already possess.
Six Conversations on Sustaining Impact
The afternoon featured six guided breakout discussions that connected the forum’s themes to practical community development experiences.
Participants explored resilience as an asset for scaling, emphasizing local leadership, knowledge sharing, organizational capacity, and community ownership. Discussions on partnerships highlighted shared goals, transparency, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.
The session on measuring impact examined how data, community stories, lived experience, and feedback can support learning and improvement. Participants also explored community ecosystems, recognizing the importance of collaboration, referral pathways, relationships, and knowledge sharing among organizations and services.
In discussing resource mobilization, participants recognized that sustainability extends beyond funding to include volunteers, skills, networks, partnerships, and community knowledge. Finally, the conversation on youth initiatives emphasized mentorship, intergenerational connections, leadership development, and meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making.
Across all six discussions, a common message emerged: sustainable growth depends on strong relationships, shared learning, inclusive leadership, and resources that support long-term community priorities.
From Reflection to Future Action
The forum created space for around 100 community leaders and members, partners, and service providers to reflect on their experiences, exchange ideas, and identify approaches to strengthening their work. The research findings further emphasized leadership development, cross-cultural and intergenerational connections, peer learning, coaching, and practical experience as important elements of community resilience.
These conversations reinforced that scaling inclusive change is not simply about expanding programs. It also requires strengthening organizational capacity, maintaining community trust, developing new leaders, and ensuring that growth remains responsive to the people communities serve.
Continuing the BIC Journey
The 5th Annual BIC Forum marked another milestone in AHC’s ongoing commitment to grassroots community development. Over five years, the forum has progressed from building a common vision to sharing experiences, reflecting on action, recognizing collective impact, and now exploring sustainability and growth.
The 2026 gathering highlighted an important lesson: lasting inclusive change is built through people, relationships, partnerships, and community leadership.
By bringing grassroots organizations and community stakeholders together, the BIC Forum continues to provide a platform for recognizing community strengths, sharing knowledge, strengthening connections, and identifying pathways toward resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
