ROI Connect Community Projects

Bringing together people, projects and communities from all across Ontario in one convenient place. You can help build your community by sharing your knowledge, exchanging ideas, and offering feedback.

Everyday stories about everyday lives in rural Ontario

People’s Archive of Rural Ontario

An accessible evergrowing online repository

People’s Archive of Rural Ontario

People’s Archive of Rural Ontario

People’s Archive of Rural Ontario (PARO) aims to mobilize and amplify rural voices and stories and to contribute to the revitalization of rural Ontario. Learn more

Image of houses in a village

Rural Housing Opportunities

The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI), Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) and IT firm Itergy are partnering to address a housing shortfall in Eastern Ontario through the creation of an innovative digital tool that will support municipalities in the planning and construction of new affordable housing.

Vibrant photo by Timothy Eberly from Unsplash of a barn at sunset.

Ontario Barn Preservation

“[It’s] possible that millions now living in North America have never seen a barn, let alone been in one. In the foreseeable future there is more than a possibility that for many the kind of barn illustrated in these pages will not be there to see.”

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Illustration of rural town.

Rural Transit

This project provides information resources on rural transit and transportation solutions. It represents an archive of information compiled over a five year period when ROI conducted the Accelerating Rural Transportation Solutions partnership project and then created and supported the Ontario Community Transportation Network for three years along with the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition.

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Rural Change Makers

Follow the journey of  young adults, between the ages of 18-29, selected from across Ontario to mobilize action around issues important to their communities.

Community Gardens

Building food security throughout Ontario. Join Rural Change Maker Danielle Stewart as she works with youth to build a community garden.

Young Rural Resilient

The Young Rural Resilient Project is a movement to gain a deeper understanding of rural youth perspectives.  What matters to you and the community you call home.

Ag Innovation

Join Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program participants on thier leadership journey as they shape the future of the agriculture and food industry and make a positive difference in rural communities across Ontario.

Rural Wellbeing

ROI is conducting a pilot test of CSA standard R113:22. ROI will work with four rural communities to create a wellbeing dashboard to display the CSA indicators. The goal is for communities to use the dashboard to assess and interpret their wellbeing within their local rural context. The pilot is expected to be complete by March 2023.