The PLACE Framework

The PLACE Framework is a practical guide to help local leaders and social entrepreneurs build stronger, more resilient, communities. It was developed in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), in partnership with Shorefast, and has been applied in places across Canada, the US, the UK and Ireland. See the Revitalizing PLACE through Social Enterprise edited volume for in-depth case studies.

PLACE stands for:

• Promote community leaders
• Link divergent perspectives
• Amplify local capacities and assets
• Convey compelling stories
• Engage both/and thinking

Each principle helps communities build on existing strengths and resources. These include local skills, history and relationships. They enable communities to solve problems and create new opportunities. The PLACE Framework provides tools that support meaningful change.

The primer below contains worksheets to practice each principle in your own local context.

Here is the complete worksheet package for all five PLACE principles.

Principle 1: Promote Community Leaders

Strong communities need strong leaders, but not only one type. This principle promotes diverse types of leaders with distinct skills and across different sectors. Examples include business owners, volunteers, youth and elders. Leadership is not about being the loudest voice. It is about uniting people and encouraging others to step forward.

In practice, this means:

• supporting local champions who care about the community
• creating space for new leaders to grow
• recognizing that leadership can be shared, not just held by one person

Principle 2: Link Divergent Perspectives

Communities are full of different ideas, backgrounds and experiences. This principle focuses on connecting people with different views and skillsets. These include business owners, government workers, artists and elders. Working together allows them to address problems collectively.

In practice, this means:

• building partnerships across sectors
• listening to both local and outside voices
• finding common ground between tradition and innovation

Principle 3: Amplify Local Capacities and Assets

Every community has unique strengths—skills, traditions, buildings and natural beauty. This principle is about recognizing and using those strengths to build something new.

In practice, this means:

• turning old buildings into new businesses
• using local crafts, cooking or stories as economic drivers
• asking questions like “What do we have? What do we love? What do we miss?”

Principle 4: Convey Compelling Stories

Stories are powerful. They help people understand mission, feel connected and get inspired. This principle focuses on sharing your community’s story effectively. Doing so fosters pride and attracts support.

In practice, this means:

• using storytelling to change how people see your place
• promoting your community’s history, culture and successes
• engaging media, social platforms and public events.

Principle 5: Engage Both/And Thinking

Communities often encounter difficult trade-offs. One includes preserving history versus expanding tourism. Another example is meeting local needs versus attracting external investment. This principle is about exploring ways to do both.

In practice, this means:

• embracing complexity and working through tensions
• combining old and new ideas
• creating solutions that serve several goals

PLACE Dialogues

PLACE Dialogues are community events that unite people to discuss strengthening rural places. The series began in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2018 on Fogo Island as a partnership between Shorefast and Memorial University researchers.

These events connect:

• community leaders
• entrepreneurs
• policymakers
• researchers and students

The goal is to exchange ideas, address problems and build networks. Each Dialogue examines real challenges and opportunities in local communities. The lessons learned have helped shape the development of the PLACE Framework.

In practice, PLACE Dialogues:

• help leaders feel re-energized and supported
• create new partnerships across sectors
• encourage practical solutions using local strengths

Hosting a PLACE Dialogue is a proven method for community engagement. It sparks new ideas, strengthens relationships and inspires action.