Rural Futures Community of Practice

Current Initiative

Connecting rural leaders to share solutions, build capacity, and turn collaboration into action across Alberta

PART OF THE 2025-26 FELLOWSHIP SOLUTION PORTFOLIO

Overview

Rural Alberta is changing fast. Communities across the province are navigating shifts in employment, energy, and investment and each with unique local realities but many shared challenges.

Despite strong local leadership, rural regions often lack the space and structure to learn from one another, share emerging models, and align on strategies that strengthen long-term resilience.

Why It Matters

15%

Rural employment in Alberta continues to lag behind urban centres, with youth outmigration and labour shortages exceeding 15% in some regions.

70%

Economic diversification also remains uneven — 70% of rural municipalities cite reliance on a single industry as a major risk to resilience.

Hypothesis

By fostering a community of practice rooted in shared learning, this initiative helps rural leaders act with greater confidence and coordination. Through peer exchange, joint problem-solving, and access to data and tools, participants can strengthen local decision-making and attract the right kind of growth — the kind that sustains both people and place.

Our Approach

The Rural Futures Community of Practice will connect municipal, industry, and community leaders who are shaping Alberta’s rural future.

Together, they can explore what works — from workforce development and economic diversification to energy transition readiness and local collaboration models.

This initiative will create a trusted network where ideas, data, and experience can flow between communities to support informed action.