Our Vision
A community in which all people are full and valued participants.
Our Mission
Through rigorous research, detailed analysis, and community engagement, we deepen community understanding of social planning issues, influence policy, and spark collaborative actions that lead to positive social change.
The ESPC is proud to be a United Way member agency.
The Edmonton Social Planning Council is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan social research organization, with registered charitable status. Our focus is social research, particularly in the areas of low income and poverty. ESPC is a source of knowledge and expertise on social issues within our community.
ESPC focus centers on topics related to low-income and poverty. Our work includes undertaking research into the nature and magnitude of social issues in our community; public awareness and understanding of current social issues; being an independent voice in the community; encouraging public participation in the development of social policies, and the implementation of programs.
The strength of our voice and our role in the community is based on the support of people and organizations concerned about social issues. ESPC conducts research and analyzes data, produces reports, provides recommendations, is a depository of information, provides public education, conducts focus groups, does presentations, and works collaboratively with other social agencies.
We are dedicated to encouraging the adoption of equitable social policy, supporting the work of other organizations who are striving to improve the lives of Edmontonians, and educating the public regarding the social issues that impact them daily.
The ESPC seeks to inform and engage the community in these priority areas
Research, Analysis and Evaluation
ESPC undertakes social research, analyzes and evaluates data and responds to policy decisions that impact people living in low-income situations.
Community Awareness
ESPC disseminates knowledge about trends and issues related to the quality of life through such activities as the Lunch and Learn speaker’s series, presentations and special events.
Advocacy
ESPC advances the interests of vulnerable sectors of the community by advocating specific policy positions to decision-makers. ESPC consults on government policy using a lens that reflects the impact on vulnerable individuals and families.
Community Capacity Building and Collaboration
ESPC works in collaboration with other organizations thereby leveraging resources and presenting a unified response. ESPC convenes and facilitates focused discussions with individuals living in low income to allow for a marginalized voice to be heard.
Social Issues Resource Hub
ESPC prepares reports, quarterly newsletters and numerous factsheets and houses them along with many volumes of other information and reports in the ESPC resource room and on the ESPC website. ESPC also operates an online search engine which allows access to a broad range of best practice reports.
