Inspiring communities through culturally responsive and locally adapted entrepreneurial training to ignite social innovation and small economies.
We have reached more than 70 communities in NWT, Yukon and Nunavut through our programs.
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More than 85% of our program participants to date identify as Indigenous - Inuit, First Nations and Métis.
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More than 300 participants from the northern Territories have taken our program; more than 70% have successfully graduated.
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On average, 65% of our participants identify as female; 33% identify as male.
Many of our participants see our program as a stepping stone to help them set business, career or educational goals. They join because they want to:
Contribute towards, and feel connected to, their communities
Increase foundational knowledge in how to start and run a business or community project
Increase leadership and organizational skills
Develop skills and tools to find meaningful employment
The Inspire Program Structure
The Inspire program has three distinct levels which helps participants grow and apply their knowledge and ideas as they move through the program.
We call the levels Inspire, Innovate and Initiate to reflect each level’s main focus.
Inspire
Weeks 1-6
Participants learn about the foundations of entrepreneurship and leadership from an Indigenous perspective. Throughout this level, participants learn about and engage with their community through a community impact project.
Innovate
Weeks 7-12
Participants go through the steps of building a project or business idea that results in a concrete model to test in the real world by building personal, community and business canvasses.
Initiate
For graduates of the 12-week program
Alumni and graduates of the program bring their ideas and plans into reality with the guidance of mentors, financial resources and access to professional services.
Program Delivery
The Inspire Program takes different forms of delivery, either directly by Small Economy Works staff, or in partnership with educational institutions and community partners. The program is offered both virtually and in-person.
Each program includes a digital Learning Management System (e-course) and live workshops. The program is facilitated by instructors that are local to the Territory or community. Each program engages with local entrepreneurs who share their local knowledge and experience with the participants.
The video is an example of an instructional video available on our digital learning platform.
In each week of the program, participants attend three interactive workshops that are content-based and skills-based
Program Instructors and Coordinators guide participants through the course content and host check-ins and live weekly sessions
Local experts attend live sessions to talk about their journeys, offer advice and link curriculum to real-world experiences
Cultural and wellness advisors connect with each cohort four times throughout the program to ensure participants are supported in relation to their general health and well-being.
The opportunity to work on digital portfolio projects that enable participants to integrate the content based knowledge with the skill based knowledge in an applied way.
Program Features
Curriculum
The Inspire Program focuses on providing participants with the opportunity to develop skills that are key for the future. Innovation, creative thinking and a growth mindset are at the foundation of this program, which explores the concepts of entrepreneurial leadership and community development, and provides participants with the foundational skills needed to achieve their personal and professional goals.
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Build confidence, self-awareness, and resilience to meet challenges in life and in community.
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Cultivate connections to culture and heritage. Develop leadership skills that facilitate being a positive influence in community.
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Engage with community members to investigate challenges, identify existing resources, and recognize opportunities for change.
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Use empathy to understand and identify problems, develop creative solutions, validate ideas, design and test solutions, and make fact-based decisions.
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Using storytelling techniques, develop brand identities to create messages that resonate with others.
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Identify, evaluate, and connect with the key activities, partners and resources needed to sustain projects and businesses.
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Identify channels and use techniques to create strong connections with people, from customers to future employers.
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Develop financial literacy to accurately plan, track, report and sustain personal and project finances.
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Develop professional skills - such as digital literacy, goal setting, and interpersonal communication - that can support the achievement of personal, employment or entrepreneurial goals.
2024 Independent Evaluation of Inspire
In 2024, NWT consulting firm Ivy and Deane evaluated the Inspire Program across the northern territories. The findings highlighted the program’s significant impact, equipping youth with practical skills, confidence, and connections that benefit their futures and communities. Participants reported feeling inspired, empowered, and more connected to their communities, with Indigenous participants deepening cultural ties and non-Indigenous participants advancing their journey toward Indigenous reconciliation.
2024 Independent Evaluation of Inspire
The report highlights the Inspire program’s significant influence, showing how it equips youth with practical skills, confidence, and connections that benefit their communities and futures. We’re excited to share a snapshot of these findings, showcasing the meaningful changes sparked by the program.
