Fifteen SaskSmart Innovations Fund Expression of Interest grants were awarded on International Literacy Day, September 8. Recipients of the grants will use the $10,000 to develop local ,Community Literacy Plans.

“These grants will assist communities in meeting their literacy needs at the grassroots level,” Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Literacy Commission Deb Higgins said. “Action is being taken by local partnerships to initiate a community response to existing literacy challenges, so that no one is left behind on the path to opportunity.”

Expression of Interest grants are designed to help communities engage in literacy planning. Over the coming year, communities will establish a literacy association and work with the Commission, including participating in workshops, to develop literacy plans. Once a plan is developed that addresses literacy needs through proposed programs and services, the organizations will be able to apply for additional SaskSmart Innovations Funding for implementation in 2007-08.

The SaskSmart Innovations Fund was created to provide communities with resources to identify and address their local literacy needs through the provision of additional literacy supports and services. This is the first year the Expression of Interest grants have been awarded.

“Literacy development makes it possible for people to participate successfully in the labour market and to create a better quality of life for themselves and their families,” Higgins said. “These grants exemplify the government’s commitment to literacy that will ultimately build stronger families and communities and strengthen our province’s vibrant economy.”

International Literacy Day celebrations were held across the province and around the world Sept. 8. These celebrations are in conjunction with the United Nations Decade for Literacy (2003-2012).

The following are examples of the community partnerships receiving Expression of Interest grants. To be eligible to receive an Expression of Interest grant, a community partnership must submit an application that identifies the individuals and/or organizations that are willing to participate in community literacy planning, the community’s general literacy needs, the existing assets that could be beneficial to establishing an ongoing literacy program, the human resources dedicated to developing and moving the literacy plan forward, and potential sources of funding, etc.

Estevan and Ocean Man First Nation, partnered with Southeast Regional College, SMILE Services Inc., Ocean Man Education Centre, Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division, Southeast Cornerstone School Division, Estevan Public Library, Estevan Chamber of Commerce;

Provincial Employment Strategy Committee of the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations and members of Canadian Union of Pubic Employees, whose partners include Sun Country Regional Health Authority, Regina Qu’Appelle Regional Health Authority, Sunrise Regional Health Authority, Prince Albert Parkland Regional Health Authority, Prairie North Regional Health Authority, Saskatchewan Literacy Network, CUPE National.