Our Work Projects & Initiatives INSPIRE – Inclusive Networking & Support for Public Officials in Rural Environments

INSPIRE – Inclusive Networking & Support for Public Officials in Rural Environments

INSPIRE follows the journey of racialized local elected officials in British Columbia, from running for office to serving in public life while navigating online harassment, racism, disinformation, exclusion, and limited institutional support.

A collaboration between CCG and the Foundation for a Path Forward, this three-year iterate project is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia, with the aim to better support racialized local elected officials across Canada. INSPIRE is grounded in evidence, lived experience, and community knowledge. The project draws on a country-wide survey of local elected officials, in-depth interviews with racialized officials, comparative perspectives from non-racialized officials, and engagement through different event.

At its core, INSPIRE asks a deeper question: what does representation mean if racialized officials are elected into systems that are not yet prepared to protect their safety, recognize their authority, or support their continued public service?

As part of this project, we are developing research reports, policy briefs, resources, toolkits, networks and more to better support racialized local electeds and allies across Canada.

Our Resources:
The report shows that online harms and systemic racism reinforce one another. The findings document high levels of online harassment, targeted social media attacks, disinformation, explicit racial hate speech, and systemic racism.
The toolkit turns the findings into practical support. The toolkit responds to the gaps identified in our Pilot Project by offering concrete guidance for officials facing online harassment, including how to prepare, document, respond, report, recover, advocate for reform, and connect with peer networks.
A living resource document showcasing available mental health and legal supports to assist local elected officials if they are facing online and in-person abuse, harm or harassment.
To get involved, or for more information about the INSPIRE project, please contact hello@ccg.eco