CommuNiTy ACTiOn
ResEarCh NETwOrK

The Community Action Research Network (CARN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education through publicly accessible research and inclusive educational programming. Our work focuses on topics related to community development, economic justice, and the social economy. We support individuals and communities in building knowledge and capacity to engage with economic systems rooted in cooperation, sustainability, and democratic values.

To fulfill this purpose, CARN is committed to:

  • Conducting and funding non-partisan, methodologically sound research that contributes to public understanding
  • Sharing research findings widely through public events, online publications, and other open-access formats
  • Delivering accessible, non-credit educational programs informed by research and designed to reflect real-world contexts
  • Ensuring that all educational activities are open to the public and free of mandatory fees

acTiviTiEs

The Community Action Research Network (CARN) advances education by designing, directing, and delivering community-based research and public learning initiatives. All activities are carried out directly by CARN and guided by our annual Board-approved research themes.

CARN’s core activities include:

1. Applied Community Research

We carry out evidence-based research projects aligned with our annual priority themes. All research is designed, supervised, and implemented by CARN, using sound methodology and non-partisan approaches.

2. Open Calls for Participation

Each year, we invite our members to submit research proposals within our Board-approved themes. Proposals are reviewed through a transparent multi-stakeholder committee process, and selected projects are directed by CARN from start to finish.

3. Public Education & Knowledge Sharing

CARN develops accessible reports, learning materials, and community workshops to share research findings with the general public at no cost. All outputs are published openly to support broad public understanding and benefit.

Research Priority Themes:

Each year, CARN’s Board of Directors sets public-benefit research priorities that align with our charitable mandate, reflect emerging community needs, and fill gaps in existing research. For the upcoming year, our approved themes are:

 

Food Systems
This research priority supports projects that create the conditions for community food sovereignty. Topics may include initiatives that advance agroecology, biodiversity, food security, farmer empowerment, and equitable community access to food. The overarching goal is to improve local foodscapes by fostering democratic and cooperative, culturally appropriate, healthy, food systems. 

 

Land Governance
This research priority focuses on how land is governed, owned, and stewarded. Topics may include community land trusts, commoning land & crown land, indigenous sovereignty & stewardship, cooperative ownership of land, housing & land financialization, and land-based industrial research as it relates to governance and ownership.  The overarching goal is to understand democratic, equitable and community-rooted land governance systems.

 

Technology Futures
This research priority supports initiatives that reimagine technology as a tool for solidarity and community agency. Topics may include digital sovereignty,  platform cooperatives, community control over technology, technological capacity building in grassroots communities, open source development, and ethical data governance. The overarching goal is to advance work that challenges extractive, exclusionary and monopolistic systems in order to advance community-owned and democratically governed technology platforms. 

As a registered nonprofit seeking charitable status, CARN does not promote specific
political positions, support or oppose legislation, or engage in advocacy campaigns. 

Board of Directors:

EriK ChEvRier

ShyLah WolFe

Olivia ChampagNe

Join the Community Action Research Network! 

 

Membership in CARN is an invitation to contribute to community-rooted, evidence-based research that serves the public good. CARN’s membership network brings together community organizers, researchers, cooperatives, nonprofits, and educators who are committed to advancing public-benefit research and collective learning. Membership is open, inclusive, and designed to support meaningful participation in CARN’s direction and activities.

CARN welcomes individuals and organizations who align with at least one Engagement Stream, as outlined in our membership policy, as a way of ensuring balanced representation and supporting CARN’s charitable purpose:

Practitioner Members

Community organizers, cooperative developers, and people working directly in community-based practice who can bring grounded knowledge of sectoral issues, local needs, and public education priorities.

Researcher Members

Individuals affiliated with universities, research institutes, community research initiatives, or knowledge-mobilization networks who contribute methodological expertise, scholarship, and critical inquiry.

These streams do not create different classes of membership. All members belong to one legal class and have equal voting and governance rights.

Applying for membership is simple and accessible: 

Step 1: Fill out CARN’s online Membership Intake Form

Step 2: Applications are reviewed by the Board or Membership Committee based on alignment with CARN’s charitable purpose and Engagement Streams.

Step 3: New members are admitted on at least a quarterly basis. Once accepted, you’ll receive CARN’s onboarding package, which includes:

  • CARN’s bylaws and governance policies

  • The Conflict of Interest Declaration Form

  • Guidance on participating in CARN’s activities

  • The current Open Call for Research Proposals

This process ensures that membership is accessible, transparent, and grounded in CARN’s commitment to public-benefit research and collaborative learning.

Become a Member Today!

Reach out to us at info@solidarityresearch.ca