CFSEA rural report highlights regional development success in southeastern Alberta 

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta (CFSEA) has successfully concluded its Regional Development Initiative, a project spanning from January 2024 to June 2025. The initiative culminated in the release of the Rural Futures: Regional Development and Conversations in Southeastern Alberta report, which serves as a comprehensive guide for addressing rural challenges and fostering growth in the region.

The initiative was rooted in CFSEA’s dedication to amplifying its impact across rural communities in Southeastern Alberta. It focused on identifying regional needs, building partnerships, and enhancing local capacity.

The Rural Futures report highlighted the unique challenges and strengths of rural communities, providing a roadmap for advocacy, planning, and development. Key outcomes include:

• Identifying Rural Needs: The report shed light on critical issues such as housing, job opportunities, workforce retention, food security, and access to essential services.

• Guiding Funding Strategies: By uncovering gaps and opportunities often overlooked in urban-focused data, the report informed CFSEA’s funding priorities.

• Strengthening Connections: The initiative fostered stronger relationships with local nonprofits, municipalities, and community members by incorporating their voices and feedback.

• Raising Awareness: The report elevated rural perspectives, drawing attention from donors, funders, and the public to underrepresented communities and encouraging investment in local infrastructure and services.

“This report is unlike any other we’ve done before,” says Niki Gray, Executive Director of CFSEA. “It prioritizes the needs of smaller communities across the region, which have often been overshadowed by urban-focused data. We decided to take a boots-on-the-ground approach—engaging directly with the people who know these areas best.”

Over the course of the project, CFSEA conducted many engagements, including focus groups, community conversations, and surveys.

“We traveled extensively to meet people in person, which was crucial for gathering authentic insights,” Gray explains. “The grant we received helped us prioritize resources and cover travel costs, ensuring we could connect with key leaders and residents alike.”

The Rural Futures report sheds light on pressing issues such as housing affordability, health access, and economic challenges. “Housing affordability is a nationwide issue, but it’s even more pronounced in rural areas,” Gray notes. “These communities are underserved and often overlooked.”

Health access is another critical concern, exacerbated by transportation barriers.

“Our economy and housing stock are struggling, and this impacts everything from attracting health providers to ensuring they can actually get to these communities. These aren’t new issues, but the report allows us to spotlight them in a way that demands attention.”

The aging population in Alberta adds another layer of complexity.

“Social isolation is a huge problem,” Gray emphasizes. “If you’re a senior in a rural community with no single-bedroom apartments, higher-density housing, or care facilities, you’re left with nowhere to go. It’s heartbreaking.”

What sets the Rural Futures report apart is its focus on actionable items.

“We’ve included pledge forms as a visual reminder for individuals, funders, and ourselves to address these real issues,” Gray says. “We’re not just identifying problems; we’re committing to solutions.”

CFSEA has already begun advocacy efforts, meeting with local and provincial leaders to push for change.

“We’ve had positive feedback so far,” Gray says. “We’ve set up meetings with MPs Justin Wright and Glen Motz and are in discussions with Premier Danielle Smith’s office for a fall meeting.”

Gray stressed the importance of moving toward preventive funding to address issues before they escalate.

“Every year, we receive more funding requests than we can fulfill. It’s a perpetual cycle of need, and we’re constantly trying to prioritize,” she says. “This report helps direct our focus and funding priorities.”

The Rural Futures report is a vital tool for ongoing advocacy and regional development. By capturing the experiences and aspirations of Southeastern Alberta’s rural residents, CFSEA has laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and sustainable future for the region.

Learn more online https://cfsea.ca/.