VCC’s work is evaluated annually by an independent third party that engages interest-holders through surveys, focus groups, and interviews. The evaluation also reviews Enough for All Champion research and annual reports to understand how Enough for All is helping reduce poverty in Calgary.
Enough for All (E4A) is Calgary’s community-driven poverty reduction strategy, with a mission “to create opportunities to align and leverage the work of hundreds of organizations and thousands of Calgarians to reduce poverty in our city”. The implementation of the strategy is guided by Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC). The latest evaluation highlights how real change can be achieved through local research and engagement.
Key Findings: Vibrant Communities Calgary’s organizational efficacy and impact
Feedback gathered from staff, Champion organizations, and research partners illustrated VCC’s effectiveness as steward of the strategy and as an organization uniquely positioned to advance policy through local research and engagement. VCC’s organizational impact is facilitated by the strength and breadth of its connections and by its commitments to Reconciliation and centring lived experiences.
Public Awareness and Media Relations:
- 97.7% of Champions agreed VCC effectively increases awareness of poverty in Calgary.
- VCC (or VCC releases) received a total 378 media mentions in 2025.
- VCC saws increased engagement with content across all platforms – including podcasts downloads, newsletter subscribers, website visits, social media followers, and research citations/references.
Policy Advocacy:
- 76.6% of Champions agreed VCC is effective at advancing policy change.
- VCC saw positive uptake of their briefs and recommendations within municipal platforms and by provincial policymakers.
- VCC’s focus on policy advocacy in support of poverty reduction is a highly valued contribution according to the Champion network.
Stewardship of Enough for All:
- 93% of Champion organizations agreed VCC effectively shares relevant resources and information.
- 83.7% agreed VCC convenes timely community conversations.
- 81.4% agreed VCC builds connections for poverty reduction.
Research, Data, and Community Engagement
- VCC released 10 publications in 2025 and launched the Well-Being Dashboard to monitor and make accessible population-level indicators of poverty reduction.
- The Your Voice, Our Future project engaged 5000 Calgarians and 44 Champions organizations, across all quadrants of the city, on the state of poverty in Calgary and opportunities for change.
- Champions shared that the Well-Being Dashboard and VCC’s research supports Champions’ advocacy efforts, grant applications, and program planning.
- Academic partners value VCC’s ability to mobilize research for community and policy impact and spoke to their positive reputation as a lead voice in poverty-reduction and community-based research.
“We are able to connect our work to the bigger picture, and that’s due to VCC’s great research and position papers.”
-Champion
Key Findings: Impact of the Enough for All strategy
The 2025 evaluation of the E4A strategy found that Calgary’s poverty reduction movement continues to foster multi-sector alignment and momentum toward shared goals, promote more favourable political conditions for the work, and mobilize local evidence and key messages that strengthen the activities of Champions, inform government, and foster public awareness.
The E4A Champion network grew by 14 organizations in 2025, totaling 76 Champions. Champions are aligned to E4A goals, active across the various levers of change, and actively embed the principles of E4A and advance Reconciliation.
Champion-reported benefits of engagement with Enough for All:
- Improved access to information/evidence (84.1%)
- Opportunities for advocacy (59.1%)
- New collaborations (40.9%)
Impacts of Enough for All:
- 92.9% of Champions agreed E4A has been effective at increasing public awareness of local issues and solutions.
- 57.1% agreed E4A contributed to policy advancements and sustained media attention.
- 50.0% agreed E4A resulted in broader engagement around poverty reduction.
“We are a Living Wage organization. This is a direct result of the Living Wage Calculation tool and VCC's awareness building and advocacy around it.”
-Champion
Looking Ahead
Evaluative feedback highlighted the ongoing importance and value of a shared poverty reduction strategy that provides evidence-informed guidance, focuses on systems change, and promotes collective momentum toward shared goals. Opportunities identified for E4A include:
- Ongoing research and engagement, policy advocacy, and awareness-raising activities, with additional opportunities for Champion engagement.
- Increased focus action-oriented discussions and collaboration;
- Clarified roles and responsibilities for the steward, Champions, and other actors critical to advancing change.
“Build momentum across Champions on something bigger than what each org is working on.”
-Champion
