MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais Unveils First Social Development Policy to Promote Collaboration and Reduce Inequalities
Tashi Farmilo
The MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais has announced the unveiling of its social development policy on April 20th during the Grand Gathering of the Table de développement social des Collines-de-l'Outaouais (TDSCO). The new policy aims to position the MRC as a leader in building a common vision of social development in the territory while promoting collaboration, exchanges, and consultation between various actors. The primary objective is to improve the quality of life of citizens while supporting the six municipalities and organizations working towards the same goal.
The development of the policy was funded by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH) and led by the TDSCO team with the assistance of a multi-sector committee. The launch was attended by a large number of partners and collaborators from the community, who discovered the first social development policy for the territory of the MRC des Collines.
The policy provides specific directions and objectives, including developing a culture of collaboration and consultation, contributing to the reduction of social inequalities, and contributing to the development of the full potential of communities. The MRC also offers a toolbox of resources related to social development themes, available online, which will continuously be improved.
The Table de développement social des Collines-de-l'Outaouais (TDSCO) is a group of multi-sectoral partners who work together to create innovative and structuring conditions to meet the challenges of local communities in terms of social development. In addition to the social development policy, the MRC has previously adopted the Family and Seniors Policy, which aims to ensure a quality of life and available services for families and seniors. The MRC has also completed the MADA “Age-Friendly Municipality” approach, which adapts municipal infrastructure and services to better meet the needs of seniors.
The MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais also offers support services to non-profit organizations in its territory, including advice on starting a new NPO, strategic planning, and orientation advice, finance research, and networking with other local and regional organizations. Certain non-profit organizations may also be eligible for funding from various funds, such as the Regions and Rurality Fund or the Cultural Development Fund.
Finally, the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) has set up the RénoRégion program, which financially assists homeowners with low or modest incomes living in rural areas to carry out work to correct major defects in their residence. The SHQ assumes the financing and administers the program in collaboration with the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais.
