Community Engagement
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), located in Antigonish, NS, is characterized by its historic commitment to quality education and leadership development. StFX established an Extension Department in 1928 with a mandate to support the revitalization of the communities of Northeastern Nova Scotia through a people-centered approach to development, an approach that became known globally as the Antigonish Movement.
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), located in Antigonish, NS, is characterized by its historic commitment to quality education and leadership development. StFX established an Extension Department in 1928 with a mandate to support the revitalization of the communities of Northeastern Nova Scotia through a people-centered approach to development, an approach that became known globally as the Antigonish Movement. Grounded in the values, vision, and principles of the Antigonish Movement, the Extension Department has, over the decades, expanded its geographic scope, and evolved in the design and implementation of innovative programs to strengthen community capacity to address key issues of the day.
As part of StFX’s efforts to migrate the work of the StFX Extension Department and the Coady International Institute to the Coady Institute, Extension’s work now appears as Community Engagement. We remain committed to Moses Coady’s vision of creating “a full and abundant life for all.” In collaboration with our partners and the groups we work with, we develop and support strategies to address both the challenges and opportunities they encounter. Our approach recognizes each organization’s strengths, which can be used to mobilize its assets for meaningful change.
Our Mission
Our Approach
Our History
When the Extension Department was established in 1928, it was dedicated to revitalizing the communities of northeastern Nova Scotia through a people-centered approach to development, which became known as the Antigonish Movement. This Movement has created a vibrant legacy that continues to ignite our passion for the work that we do today, more than 90 years since its beginning. Learn more
Community Housing Program
We support the work of the community-housing sector through projects, partnerships, and professional services.
Vibrant Communities Program
We have a long and rich history of helping communities recognize their strengths to successfully leverage them for positive change, while creating “a full and abundant life for all”.
Topshee Program
The Topshee Memorial Program honours the legacy of the Rev. George Topshee, former director of both the StFX Extension Department and the Coady International Institute, and provides a space to connect with Labour in Atlantic Canada.
Education and Training
We see leadership not as something that exists outside of oneself that must be acquired, but rather as qualities, skills, and experiences that naturally exist within everyone.
Professional Services
We see leadership not as something that exists outside of oneself that must be acquired, but rather as qualities, skills, and experiences that naturally exist within everyone.
Knowledge Mobilization
We see leadership not as something that exists outside of oneself that must be acquired, but rather as qualities, skills, and experiences that naturally exist within everyone.
News and Events
Vibrant Communities Program
Community Engagement Vibrant Communities ProgramWe have a long and rich history of helping communities recognize their strengths to successfully leverage them for positive change, while creating “a full and abundant life for all”. For example, we have recently...
Field Trip: Global Change Leaders discuss Affordable Housing Solutions
The Global Change Leaders recently visited two Antigonish Affordable Housing sites and met with organizers, residents, and housing advocates to learn and share about affordable and accessible housing models, and discuss their intersections with social issues such as gender-based violence, climate change, and more.
Affordable Housing and Poverty
The first of five Online People’s Schools on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Affordable Housing in Nova Scotia. View the recorded webinar and read the thematic brief.


