It all started with a simple goal — bringing people together to build a stronger and more connected Edmonton. What began as a small community gathering has now grown into something much bigger: a citywide movement for inclusion, collaboration, and shared purpose, uniting residents, organizations, and leaders across the city.
Hosted by the Community Development Unit at Action for Healthy Communities (AHC), the Building Inclusive Communities Forum has become a key Edmonton community event where people come to learn, share, and take action together. Every year, it brings grassroots groups, nonprofits, and public institutions under one roof to exchange ideas, form partnerships, and strengthen collective efforts to make Edmonton a more inclusive and welcoming city. The forum also highlights best practices in community development, encouraging long-term collaboration and civic engagement.
Theme 2025: The Impact of Collective Action
The 2025 forum, held on October 8, focused on one key message — we are stronger together. When communities share goals, their impact grows. This year’s event gave participants the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and explore creative ways to build stronger community ties across Edmonton. Participants learned how collective action and coordinated efforts can amplify the work of grassroots organizations and improve outcomes for diverse populations, including immigrant and newcomer communities.
Breaking Barriers, Building Connections
Over the years, AHC has noticed that many grassroots organizations work toward similar goals but often do so independently. This can make it more difficult to share resources or build long-term partnerships.
The forum addressed this challenge by encouraging organizations to collaborate, pool resources, and co-design solutions. Throughout the day, several examples of these partnerships were showcased, demonstrating how collaboration leads to more sustainable community impact. By sharing knowledge and experiences, participants learned practical strategies to strengthen programs, expand outreach, and engage more residents in civic participation and inclusion initiatives.
Keynote Inspiration
The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Bukola Salami from the University of Calgary, was titled “Building Belonging Through Inclusion and Civic Engagement.”
Dr. Salami shared that while immigrants make up 23% of Canada’s population, many still face barriers such as language challenges, lack of mentorship, and limited representation in civic spaces. She emphasized that belonging is essential to mental health, community well-being, and long-term social inclusion. Her message encouraged everyone to co-create programs with communities, promote civic education, and celebrate cultural identity as the foundation for inclusion and belonging in Edmonton’s diverse neighborhoods.
Community Voices and Shared Stories
This year’s forum featured inspiring presentations from:
- Senegalese Community of Edmonton Society
- Guinean Association of Edmonton
- African Caribbean Heritage Alliance
- Tunisian Women’s Society of Edmonton
- Young Learns African Foundation
- Edmonton Chinese Writing Club
- CIRCLE International
- Himalaya Rocky Sports Club (HRSC)
- Tajik Society of Alberta
- Kyrgyz Association in Canada
- WMEN – PRAYASH
- Habeesha Football Club – Youth-led Initiative
- Creative Collectives – Youth-led Initiative
- Step-up-Yeg – Youth-led Initiative
Their stories were organized around four key themes:
- Cultural Connections for Inclusive Communities – Celebrating language, art, and culture as pathways to belonging.
- Empowering Voices for Social Change – Showcasing initiatives that build leadership, confidence, and advocacy.
- Thriving Together Through Collaboration – Highlighting how partnerships turn challenges into opportunities.
- Youth in Action: Leading Change and Building Resilience – Featuring youth-led initiatives from ELYCA, proving that young people are already shaping meaningful change across Edmonton. These youth-driven programs also emphasize the importance of mentoring and skill-building in creating future community leaders.
Panel and Networking
A major highlight of the day was the panel discussion, “Strengthening Civic Engagement Through Grassroots Capacity Building.” Panelists explored how empowering community leaders helps boost civic participation and makes decision-making more inclusive and representative of Edmonton’s diversity. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with other community development practitioners, sharing insights and strategies to improve engagement in local initiatives.
Moving Forward Together
The 4th Annual Building Inclusive Communities Forum was more than just an event — it was a celebration of what happens when people come together with a shared purpose.
As Edmonton continues to grow and diversify, one message continues to shine through: When communities work together, everyone belongs.
Action for Healthy Communities thanks all participants, speakers, and community partners who made this year’s forum a success. By continuing to collaborate, share knowledge, and support grassroots organizations, Edmonton is building a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient city for everyone.
