Mapping the Social Economy in BC and Alberta: Towards a Strategic Approach

Abstract

This paper sets out a general framework and taxonomy within which the BC-Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance could define a focus for its initial approach to mapping of the social economy in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. This constitutes the initial part of the paper. The paper then explores and elaborates a definition of the social economy. What are the dimensions of the social economy that one might want to capture? What are the arenas of work that characterise the bulk of the work undertaken by social economy organisations? The approach to mapping advocated in the paper is intended to strategically facilitate a convergence of policy, practitioner and research interests consistent with the overall goal of BALTA: to strengthen the foundations of the social economy in BC and Alberta.