ROI Announces Measuring Rural Community Vitality - Phase 2

GUELPH, ON  – The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is pleased to introduce Measuring Rural
Community Vitality (MRCV) – Phase 2. Included in this second phase are six projects, many of which will
build on prior success and extend the impact of projects from the first phase projects.

MRCV Phase 2 will take place over the next two and a half years, with completion of all projects
expected in 2020. The projects include:

•  Community Well-Being Index: Regional Benchmarking
•  Rural Ontario Foresight Papers 2019
• Fact Finders Guide to Local and Regional Data: Online edition
• Community Demonstration Projects
• Youth Engagement Strategy Internships
• 211 Rural Unmet Service Needs Analysis

As with the initial Measuring Rural Community Vitality, a number of the projects will see ROI
collaborating with local partners. The Youth Engagement Strategy Internships will engage 12
municipalities and four community projects will be chosen for the Community Demonstration Projects.
Similarly a number of organizations are already providing their assistance to 211 Ontario and the Rural
Ontario Institute as we explore the potential application of the data to human services planning.

The Rural Ontario Institute believes the MRCV Phase 2 projects will benefit Ontario rural municipalities
and their local community partners as they respond to wide-spread, long-term complex conditions and
trends affecting rural communities. The overarching goal of both the first and current phase is to assist
rural stakeholders by undertaking or linking with projects which enable information sharing, capture
practitioner insights and lessons learned, and facilitate peer exchange of emerging practices and
community experiences surrounding these hard to measure aspects.

The Rural Ontario Institute is a non-profit organization committed to developing leaders and facilitating
collaboration on issues and opportunities facing rural Ontario.

The Rural Ontario Institute gratefully recognizes the support of the Ontario government which has
enabled us to undertake this initiative for the benefit of rural municipal stakeholders.