the Next Chapter for be local
The Be Local community is moving to Social Venture Institute: Alberta.
For more than a quarter century, our community has evolved and brought together purpose-driven businesses, social entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and community leaders who believe business can be a force for good. Together, we’ve built meaningful relationships, supported local economies, and created positive impact across Alberta.
Today, we’re excited to begin our next chapter as our community moves to Social Venture Institute: Alberta. This transition represents another evolution in our journey, not the end of it.
You’ll continue to find the same values and commitment to helping purpose-driven leaders connect, learn, and grow—now under one unified home.
We know that change can bring questions. Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions, a look back at the journey that brought us here, and highlights of what we’ve accomplished together.
Thank you for being part of this community. We’re excited for everything we’ll build together in the years ahead.
questions & Answers
Is the Be Local community ending?
No. The Be Local community is moving to Social Venture Institute (SVI): Alberta. This transition represents the next chapter in our journey, not the end of it.
Will it still be called Be Local?
No. As part of this change, the Be Local name and website will retire. SVI: Alberta will be our new home for bringing people together.
I’m confused about the relationship between Momentum, Be Local, and SVI: Alberta.
Momentum has stewarded the Be Local network since 2019. During that time, the community continued to evolve, with initiatives such as SVI: Alberta and the Living Wage Employer program becoming important parts of Be Local’s work.
Today, Momentum remains the steward of this work. As part of this transition, SVI: Alberta will become the new home for bringing purpose-driven leaders together, while the Living Wage Employer program will continue under Momentum.
Why is Be Local moving to SVI: Alberta? Why make this change if Be Local has been successful?
We believe bringing everything together under SVI: Alberta creates a clearer, more unified experience for our community. It makes it easier for people to find events and engage with our work, and allows us to focus our time and resources in one place. It also better reflects our work today, which now brings together purpose-driven leaders from across Alberta, rather than just Calgary.
While our identity is evolving, our commitment to building community, supporting purpose-driven organizations, and strengthening Alberta’s social venture ecosystem remains the same.
I’m not familiar with Social Venture Institute (SVI): Alberta. What is it?
Social Venture Institute (SVI): Alberta is a unique community gathering that brings together social entrepreneurs, businesses, nonprofits, charities, funders, and community leaders who are creating positive impact across Alberta.
The broader Social Venture Institute (SVI) was created by the Hollyhock Leadership Institute more than 30 years ago and is one of Canada’s longest-running gatherings for social entrepreneurs. Since 2019, we’ve proudly brought SVI to Alberta, creating a space for purpose-driven leaders from across the province to come together.
What Will Change?
As part of this transition, you’ll begin to see changes in a few key areas:
Communications:
- Emails will come from info@svialberta.org instead of info@belocal.org.
- Be Local content will move to svialberta.org.
- You’ll begin seeing the name SVI: Alberta in place of Be Local across all our social media, newsletters, and communications.
Programs & Events:
- The Living Wage Project will continue to be offered, but directly through Momentum.
- Instead of standalone networking events, we’ll focus on creating meaningful connections through SVI: Alberta gatherings and learning experiences.
Membership and Directory:
- Annual membership has come to an end (as of 2025).
- We will no longer have a business directory on our website.
Why did you end Be Local membership?
We’ve listened to feedback from our community and learned that many businesses prefer the flexibility to choose the events and opportunities that are most relevant to them. By moving away from an annual membership model, we’re aiming to make it easier and more affordable for people to stay engaged.
I really valued the Be Local networking events. Will the community still offer opportunities to network and connect in Calgary?
Yes! For the first time ever, we will be hosting SVI: Alberta – Calgary Edition (Oct 22-23, 2026). This will be a shorter, in-city version of the full SVI: Alberta experience. If you’re looking to continue connecting with your people, SVI: Alberta - Calgary Edition is a great place to start!
What will stay the same?
Many things remain the same, including:
- Our mission and values
- Our team
- Meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate
- Our commitment to strengthening Alberta’s local economy and supporting businesses owners using business as a force for good
- The relationships and community that have been built over the past decade
- Momentum’s continued stewardship of this work and commitment to reducing poverty across Alberta
I don’t consider myself a social venture. Is this community still for me?
Absolutely. SVI: Alberta is for anyone who believes business can be a force for good—or is curious about how it can be. You don't need to identify as a social enterprise or social venture to belong here. If you care about your employees, customers, community, local economy, or creating positive impact through your work, this community is for you.
Will Momentum remain involved?
Yes. Momentum will continue to steward the community.
Where can I stay up to date on what is happening?
The best way to stay connected is by subscribing to our newsletter. It’s where we share upcoming events, learning opportunities, community stories, resources, and other updates. You can also visit svialberta.org for the latest news and information.
How can I continue to support the community?
There are many ways to stay involved and support us:
- Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events, opportunities, and community news.
- Follow SVI: Alberta on social media to celebrate community successes, discover new resources, and stay connected.
- Attend our events to continue learning and building relationships with other purpose-driven leaders.
- Share our work with your colleagues, clients, and networks to help grow the community.
- Become an SVI: Alberta sponsor or partner to help make our programming and events possible while supporting Alberta’s growing social venture ecosystem.
I have questions and/or feedback. How can I reach out?
We understand that change can bring about uncertainty and questions, and we welcome your thoughts and feedback. If you’d like to learn more about the transition or connect with our team, please email us at info@svialberta.org.
THE EVOLUTION OF OUR COMMUNITY
Our community has grown and evolved over time, building on the work that came before it while staying true to its mission.
Momentum began exploring community economic development (CED) as a poverty reduction strategy, joining a growing movement of organizations working to strengthen local economies and communities across Alberta.
The Alberta Community Economic Development (CED) Network was incorporated as a cooperative, with Momentum and the cities of Red Deer and Edmonton taking leadership roles. The network reflected a collaborative, province-wide effort to advance community economic development.
Momentum, the City of Calgary, and Calgary Economic Development came together to convene Calgary’s Community Economic Development Network, creating a space for businesses, nonprofits, governments, and community leaders to collaborate around building a stronger local economy.
Working independently of Momentum, Stephanie Jackman founded REAP (Respect for the Earth and All People) to connect businesses committed to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and strengthening Calgary’s local economy. Over the next decade, REAP became an important part of Calgary’s purpose-driven business community and launched a number of initiatives including the Be Local awards.
The Calgary CED Network was rebranded and launched as Thrive – Calgary’s Community Economic Development Network, continuing as a collaborative network that brought together organizations and individuals committed to community economic development.
Momentum launched Strong Neighbourhoods, expanding its community economic development work by supporting residents to strengthen their neighbourhoods through community-led action. The learnings from Thrive and Strong Neighbourhoods were later brought together through the Thriving Communities model.
REAP entered its next chapter under Momentum’s stewardship. The name REAP was retired and the network became Be Local, named after REAP’s annual Be Local awards. As part of this work, Be Local begins hosting SVI: Alberta gatherings.
Momentum continues to steward the work as our name and identity continues to evolve.
THE BE LOCAL LEGACY CONTINUES
A quarter century of purpose-driven community
For more than a quarter of a century, we have connected purpose-driven businesses and organizations, fostering collaboration, supporting local economic development, and building a vibrant community committed to creating positive impact across Alberta.
Along the way, we’re proud to have supported a network and directory of more than 400 businesses, launched an online marketplace to help local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and brought hundreds of entrepreneurs together through networking, learning, and collaboration.
Each chapter has played an important role in shaping who we are today, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed along the way.
We’re committed to honouring that legacy by celebrating the impact we’ve created together and carrying forward the relationships, values, and collaborative spirit that have always defined this community.
