RDÉE PEI AT A GLANCE
RDÉE Prince Edward Island Inc. is the provincial francophone economic development council of PEI. Its head office is located in Wellington, in the Community Business Centre. It also has a satellite office in the provincial capital of Charlottetown.
Its mission is “to contribute actively to entrepreneurial and community economic development within the Acadian and francophone community of Prince Edward Island, while collaborating towards the economic development of the province.”
It offers support services for community economic development (CED) and co-operative development services as well as certain services for entrepreneurs.
The RDÉE, which has existed since 2000, first operated as a program of the Baie Acadienne Development Corporation. In March 2010, it was officially and independently incorporated as a non-profit organization. It has its own provincial board of directors, formed of entrepreneurial and community members from across the Island.
NETWORK AND PARTNERS
RDÉE Prince Edward Island is a full-fledged member of a economic development network that extends throughout all Canadian provinces and territories where French is a minority language.
Thanks to a special agreement, RDÉE PEI takes care of the management of the Conseil de développement coopératif (CDC) since April 2010. The RDÉE is therefore also responsible for implementing the CDC’s action plan, which includes the establishment of new co-operatives and the expansion of existing co-ops.
In January 2011, RDÉE PEI resurrected the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI (CCAFLIPE) and integrated it directly into the RDÉE as a subcommittee. The Board of Directors of the RDÉE oversees the management of the CCAFLIPE, guided by a spokesperson and an advisory board for the chamber. Together, the CCAFLIPE and the RDÉE organize networking, sharing and learning actvities for entrepreneurs.
RDÉE PEI expects to become a partner with all the Rural Action Centres on PEI, providing them with a direct support to their francophone clients. In addition, the RDÉE can support Anglophone projects wishing to integrate a francophone “value added” dimension to their project.
ITS SERVICES
A) COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CO-OP DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
The community economic development (CED) concept is based on the following general principles:
- Stimulation of co-operation and partnerships
- Creation of sustainable jobs and new businesses as well as the expansion of existing businesses
- Greater level of participation of the community in determining its future.
RDÉE PEI offer support to all groups and organisations from PEI’s Acadian and francophone community in the various phases of CED projects.
Studies: In-depth studies and analysis of potential markets, current trends, community profiles, etc.
Planning: Development and implementation of a plan detailing all steps required to carry out a project, including attribution of responsibilities, timelines, etc.
Mobilization and taking charge: Assistance in the motivation of partners and key plays to encourage them to take charge of the implementation of their project and to form strategic partnerships.
Implementation: Assistance in the various phases of project implementation, including the identification of funding sources.
Promotion: Assistance in the development of a promotional approach for the project.
Evaluation: Assistance in the evaluation of the project to identify successful elements and challenges met to enable an improvement of the project and a better orientation for future projects.
B) ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
RDÉE Prince Edward Island offers francophone businesses (particularly its member businesses) a support in their journey and their development.
References: People wishing to develop a new business or to expand an existing one are invited to meet one of the RDÉE’s developmetn officers. They will be able to refer clients to appropriate support services provided by various departments, economic development organizations or other institutions.
Networking/sharing/learning: Through the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, the RDÉE organizes each year a series of network, sharing and learning activities for entrepreneurs (Entrepreneurs’ Awards Banquet, workshops, business luncheons, receptions, etc.)
ITS TEAM
The RDÉE staff is made up of an administrative team (executive director, assistant executive director, financial administrative assistant, secretarial administrative assistant and communications officers) and a project development and management team (development officers and project officers). These are spread out over the two offices. The development officers are each assisgned one or two regions as well as a priority sector (rural and urban development, youth entrepreneurship, tourism and knowledge economy). The project officers are hired as needed to carry out various projects.
ITS FUNDING
The core funding for the RDÉE’s operation comes from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities.
The RDÉE also regulary obtains funding from other federal and provincial deparmtents, particularly the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, to carry out various economic development projects.
