Education Programs
The programs below are currently open for application.
To see a list of our entire educational programming please click here.
Click on the course area you are interested in for a list of course offerings. Our campus programs at StFX University in Antigonish include our flagship 20-week Diploma in Development Leadership, spring and fall certificates and other specialty programs. Remember – apply as early as possible to be considered for scholarships.
Our Programs
Building Resilient Communities
Oct. 7 to Nov. 1, 2019
Registration deadline: April 26, 2019
Description: Participants will explore the nature of resilient communities and consider different approaches to how such resilience can be fostered and cultivated. Community initiatives and responses to changes in environmental, economic, political, cultural, and social systems will be explored through a lens of sustainability, inclusion and justice.
Promoting Accountable Democracies
Oct. 7 to Nov. 1, 2019
Registration deadline: April 26, 2019
Citizens have the right and responsibility to have a voice in, and hold government and other power holders accountable for, public decisions and actions that affect their lives. This course explores ways to engage citizens in deepening democratic practice and in promoting transparency, accountability, and participation in governance systems and structures.
Strengthening Inclusive Economies
Oct. 7 to Nov. 1, 2019
Registration deadline: April 26, 2019
Description: Participants will explore key concepts related to the structure and dynamic of local economies, and examine different approaches to making these economies more inclusive and equitable. The relationship between local and global economies will be explored, along with issues and implications for driving sustainable local economic change.
Asset-Based and Citizen-Led Development
May 13 to 24, 2019
Application deadline: January 31, 2019
Description: Built on lessons learned from communities around the world that are driving and sustaining their own development, the course also draws from almost two decades of action-research by organizations using an ABCD approach to stimulate and support citizen-led and community-driven development.
Social Enterprise for Inclusive Local Economies
June 10 – June 21, 2019
Application deadline: January 31, 2019
Description: There has been growing interest in social enterprise as a vehicle to create social change while addressing the age-old question of sustainability. Beginning with an assessment of the emergence and history of the social entrepreneurship movement, this course will cover topics such as the for-profit non-for-profit divide, the need for varied capital at different stages, and aspects of institutional and personal leadership.
Oceanpath Fellowship
Applications closed
The OceanPath Fellowship provides community-focused experiential learning opportunities for graduating students to become active and effective change-makers, bringing new ideas and working closely with communities to foster sustainable and positive social change in Canada and around the world.The Coady Institute is excited to partner with the following universities in offering this Fellowship: McGill University, Queen’s University, University of Ottawa and St. Francis Xavier University.
Click here for more information.
Global Change Leaders
Aug. 12 to Sept. 27, 2019
Application Closed
Description: Established in 2011, the Global Change Leaders Program is a seven-week education program offered by Coady Institute’s International Centre for Women’s Leadership. This program enables women from developing countries to strengthen their leadership capacities in order to contribute to innovation and change in their organizations and communities. Program participants engage in learning grounded in real world experiences and focused on Coady’s core thematic areas. Through a shared learning environment with other emerging women leaders from around the world, participants are exposed to a range of experiences and the beginnings of a potentially lifelong network of support.
Indigenous Women in Community Leadership
Oct. 14 to Nov. 1, 2019
Applications for this program will open February 1, 2019 and close March 31, 2019.
Description: An award-winning initiative, Indigenous Women in Community Leadership Enhanced Mentorship program is for First Nations, Métis and Inuit women who are committed to supporting development and social change in their organizations, communities, and nations. The program is delivered using Coady’s innovative and blended approach to asset-based leadership development and prioritizes Indigenous knowledge and ways of learning.
Women’s Leadership in Community Development
May 13 to 24, 2019
Application Closed
Description: This program creates space for women leaders to build their individual leadership skills and learn to better position themselves and their work within their respective organizations for creating social change. Participants will learn practical new strategies for moving community development forward with gender sensitive processes, assess their life experiences for personal strengths and motivations.
Community-Based Microfinance for Financial Inclusion
(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), Nov. 5 to 16, 2018 (Registration closed)
(Hyderabad City, Telangna State, India), Dec. 3 to Dec. 15, 2018, (Registration closed)
Community-based microfinance models, owned and governed by community members, are critical for deeper financial inclusion. Participants will explore how these models support women’s empowerment, agriculture, livelihoods, value-chains, and enterprises in rural and urban areas, and how innovating links with banks and mobile payment systems can reach millions that are outside formal banking systems. Scholarships for this certificate are available through The MasterCard Foundation Microfinance Scholars Program.
Diploma in Development Leadership
July 22 to Nov. 29, 2019
Applications closed
Description: Coady’s flagship Diploma in Development Leadership is designed for change leaders passionate about creating positive change in their communities. Each summer, the institute welcomes a diverse cohort of practitioners and activists from around the world who represent a wide cross-section of civil society, public, and private groups and organizations. Together they learn innovative skills and approaches for leadership in sustainable, citizen-led development.
Citizen-Led Accountability: Strategy and Tools (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
July 2 – 13, 2018
Application closed
Citizens have the right and responsibility to hold government and other power holders accountable for public decisions and actions that affect their lives. This program explores how citizens can make their governments more open, transparent, and responsive to their needs and concerns. Scholarships available in limited numbers.
Building on Local and Indigenous Knowledges for Community Resilience
How do communities respond to the environmental, economic and equity challenges of today and maintain their sense of identity and place? Participants will explore concepts, strategies and tools for building community resilience from a citizen-driven, culturally-sensitive perspective and analyze innovative experiences for change from diverse contexts. Central to the exploration is valuing and sharing local and indigenous knowledge in ecological management, food security, governance, conflict transformation, cultural revitalization and well-being that enables communities to face shocks and ongoing stresses. Collectively, participants determine how to influence policies, programs and practices that build resilience in their own communities.
Livelihoods and Markets (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Oct. 15 – 26, 2018,
Applications for this program are now closed
The program explores different approaches for livelihoods promotion including value chain development, making markets work for the poor, and social enterprise. It combines in-depth deconstruction of key concepts and tools, real-life illustrative examples and interactive exercises to help participants build and enhance their skills in developing inclusive market systems. Scholarships for this certificate are available through The MasterCard Foundation Microfinance Scholars Program.